Oct 14, 2004 12:21 PM
11699 Views
(Updated Aug 02, 2005 11:34 AM)
I had been to Yercaud between Saturday, October 2, 2004 and Sunday. It is a beautiful place for nature lovers. It is a decent place for relaxing and less crowded unlike Ooty or Kodaikanal.
Yercaud is not a place of artificial parks, museums or lakes. It is a place to enjoy natural beauty. But, there is a small park and a lake. We left Bangalore by the Kurla-Coimbatore Express at 11:45 PM, reached Salem around 4:00 AM the next day, then took a bus to New Salem Bus Stand. Finally, we boarded a bus at 5:30 AM to Yercaud. It is an hour travel from Salem. There are 20 Hair Pin Bends. The road was good.
We got down near Yercuad lake and took an auto to search an accommodation. There are numerous good and affordable (The price ranges between INR 300.00 - INR 900.00) hotels. Few hotels offer a good view points from the room.
Grange Resorts, [Good one, 1.5 Km from Lake Point]
Pakoda Point Road, Five Roads,
Yercaud - 636 601.
Ph: (04281) 222180/81/82
Email: grange@rediffmail.com
Shevaroys Hotel
Near Lake Point.
Star Holidays
Near Lake Point.
Ph: 223337/38
Subiksha,
1 Km before Lake Point
Silver Holiday Cottages
Near Lake Point,
Hotel Tamil Nadu
Near Lake Point.
Classic Cottages
Near Lake Point
Ph: 04281-223388/99
There is a 100% Vegetarian Hotel Mallar next to hotel Shrevaroys.
A few places of interest are as follows:
Lake Boat House
You can take a boat-ride. There is a fountain in the middle of the lake. The charges are Rs.75 for half an hour pedal boat ride.
Anna Park
A small park, but well maintained. This is near Lake Boat House.
Annamaliar Kovil
A temple dedicated to Lord Shiva with Golden Linga. It is located inside a private estate. Prior permission is required. This temple is open only on Amavasya, Pournami and Shivaratri.
Pagoda Point
This is a popular view point.
Rose Garden
A small rose garden.
Childrens Seat
A beautiful view point.
Gents Seat
Near Childrens Seat, a view point.
Ladies Seat
A good gathering spot. Rose Garden, Childrens Seat, Gents Seat and Ladies Seat are nearby.
Botanical Garden
This Botanical Garden is maintained by Central Govt. It is open only on Weekdays (Mon-Fri).
Rajeshwari Temple
The Idol of the deity at the Rajeshwari temple is an excellent piece of Sculpture. Small temple, which comes before Shevaroy Temple.
Shevaroy Temple
This is the highest view point in Yercaud, a small cave temple. You could see the Mettur dam from this spot. Unfortunately, it was filled with clouds when we reached this place.
Kiliyur Falls
You need half a day to visit this place. There is a road up to 1.5 Kms from Lake point. Thereafter, you have to walk another 1 Km through small path which is slippery and steep to reach this awesome spot. The water comes from the Lake, better to avoid taking bath.
Autos and Cars are available from Lake point, but are known for fleecing tourists. I paid Rs.250.00 to visit the above places except Annamalair Kovil and Khiliyur Falls. The local administration has fixed rate is Rs.350. Taxi/Auto driver will escort you to Ayurvedic centre where you could purchase medicines. It is suggested to procure such medicines separately, in the absence of your escort.
We left Yercaud on Sunday at 3:00 PM and reached Salem railway station by 4:45PM to board Coimbatore - Bangalore Intercity Express. We finally reached Bangalore at 9:30 PM.
