Yelagiri
Yelagiri (Tamil: [jeːlaɡiɾi]) is a hill station located in the newly formed Tirupattur district of Tamil Nadu, India, situated off the Vaniyambadi-Tirupattur road.[1] Located at an altitude of 1,110.6 metres above Mean Sea Level and spread across 30 km2, the Yelagiri Hill (also spelled Elagiri Hill at times) is surrounded by orchards, rose-gardens, and green valleys.[2] Yelagiri is a branch of Annamalai Hills.
History
Yelagiri or Elagiri is a small hill station located in between the towns of Vaniyambadi and Jolarpettai (Tamil Nadu, India). The hill station dates back to the British colonial days.
“The Whole of Yelagiri was once the private property of the Yelagiri Zamindar Family. It was taken over by the government of India during the Early 1950s. The house of the Yelagiri Zamindars still exists in Reddiyur.”[3]
British administered Elagiri (Neelagiri) or Swami Malai or Kolli Malai. During 1960’s Yelagiri was refuge to people groups who were involved in Emergency Rule of India. Their near-dynasty was terminated after withdrawal of Emergency Rule. It was left uninhabited until French Missionary Fr. Francis Guezou (Salesian) first arrived who helped Jawadhu Hills people to inhabit the hills. Yelagiri is now over populated by India’s corporatism, political ventures and local tourism, since 2007 onwards.
Location And Overview
The Yelagiri hill station is not as developed as other hill stations in Tamil Nadu like Ooty or Kodaikanal. However, the district administration has now taken up the task of developing Yelagiri Hills into a tourist destination by promoting adventure sports such as paragliding and rock climbing.[4]
Yelagiri is one of the famous places for trekkers in India. The hill station is located at a height of 1410.6 meters above sea level. Yelagiri comprises 14 hamlets and a number of temples spread over several hills.
The highest point in Yelagiri is the Swamimalai Hill, standing tall at 4,338 ft; Swamimalai is a destination and viewpoint for trekkers. The hill provides a number of trekking trails through thick reserved forests. Mangalam, a small village, is at the base of this hill. There are other trekking options that include smaller peaks like Javadi Hills and Palamathi Hills.
Yelagiri Hills is home to hundreds of snakes.
Climate
Yelagiri’s climate is cool in the monsoon season. The daily weather is generally pleasant. In winter, there is much less rainfall than in summer. This climate is considered to be Aw according to the Köppen-Geiger climate classificatio
The Yelagiri Summer Festival
The famous Yelagiri Summer festival celebrated in May end is organised by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Board. Stalls from different departments, Flowers show, Boat house various cultural programs and Dog Show with a variety of dog breeds are conducted every year. People from all over the State and other parts of the country participate in this annual festival.