I hardly knew about this place until I found about this from a travel site and visited here on a March’10 weekend with my dear loving friends. Yercaud, rightly called as the poor man's Ooty is a right destination to spend a relaxing weekend. Far away from the terrific traffic and polluted parks of cities, a hill station that still retains the charm and simplicity, amidst the nature. Though it’s not a place where one can head for a rigorous sight seeing and go visiting places, it’s an ideal place where you can free yourself from the fast rushing daily life and laze at your wish. Its best visited between July-January, as told by the local people, but I happened to visit in March. Still it was good in its own ways though we missed a few scenic views. But not to forget this catch line... 'As we opened our window panes, there where a group of clouds waiting to be let in... .’
Food is average here. As we stayed in Salem, we just happened to taste the Lunch and snacks in Yercaud which was not bad! We tried the Hotel Malar, based on the feedbacks from web and didn't turn out to be a bad deal. (The fact was none of us wanted to experiment on our stomach as we had to rush to office next day!).
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| Fresh oranges |
As I mentioned earlier its not a hectic sight seeing place. It’s perfect for a two day plan (a weekend!). We reached on a Saturday evening went to the view points (Gents seat, Ladies seat and Children’s seat) and enjoyed the panoramic view of sunset from there. Adding color was the enchanting view of Salem city lit gloriously below. Next day we covered the Shevarayon (Servaraayan probably) temple, which houses the Kaveramma and has a cave which is believed to extend for about 480 kms till Mysore. The road that stretches to Shevarayon temple is very scenic. Not to forget, this place has a lot for budding photographers. We found freshly plucked oranges on the way near Rajarajeswari temple but wern't lucky enough to see the Botanical garden as it’s closed on Sunday. We had plans of even trekking to the Kiliyur falls but dropped it as we heard there is no much water, from the localities. Our next destination was Montfort School, which is a well maintained residential school which is open to visitors during weekends between 2 pm to 4 pm. (But the security here was very rude to us!)This school has a mini zoo and a replica of Eiffel tower as well. Boating in the lake cannot be avoided at any cost. We were lucky enough for another mesmerizing sunset the next day.
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| MontFort School |
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| Boat ride bridge |
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| The Team |
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| Roads as seen from uphill |
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| Sunset @ Yercaud |
From Bangalore it wouldn't take more than 4hrs to reach, thanks to the awesome roads. You can travel straight via Hosur-Krishnagiri-Dharmapuri-(bye-pass)-Salem-Yercaud (roughly 235kms). We left B’lore on a Saturday morning. AnandBhavan on the way after Krishnagiri is a nice place to have your lunch. Reached Yercaud by afternoon. By the time we finished the view points, there was the Sunset welcoming. Stayed in Salem at a friend’s place. Did rest of the activities the next day and wrapped up by 5pm to reach B’lore by 10pm.
Please take good care while you drive on the hair pin bends. Honk regularly as vehicles coming downhill might be speeding.
-Places to look out for:
1.View points. (Gent's seat, Ladies' seat, Children seat).
2.Rose garden, botanical garden (Closed on Sunday).
3.Montfort School (Open only on Sunday).
4.Kiliyoor Falls(Needs trekking).
5.Shervarayon temple.
6.Boating.
Best Direction: Bangalore - Hosur - Dharmapuri - Salem (take divertion to Yercaud) - hair pin bends - Yercaud (230Kms/ 5 hrsApprox.)
Have a pleasant Journey!!! Happy Holidaying!
Sam.
