The Yelagiri Hills are located in Tamil Nadu and are considered to be the second cleanest hills in India. They are famous for their picturesque beauty and tourist attractions that draw many visitors each year. Here’s a list of the best places to visit in Yelagiri hills that you must visit on your next trip to this place.
Table of Contents
- 1. Punganoor Lake
- 2. Jalakandeswarar Temple
- 3. Swamimalai Hills Trek
- 4. Amirtha Zoological Park
- 5. Nature Park
- 6. Velavan Temple
- 7. Nilavoor Lake – Places To Visit In Yelagiri Hills
- 8. Jalagamparai Waterfalls – Yelagiri places to visit
- 9. Vainu Bappu Observatory – Tourist Places In Yelagiri
- 10. Government Herbal Farm – Yelagiri Places To See
- 11. Sterling Resort – Places To Stay In Yelagiri Hills
- Tourist Spots In Yelagiri
1. Punganoor Lake
Punganoor Lake is a magnificent man-made lake which is located in the center of the Yelagiri Hills. The place is very easy to access from the city via auto or cab. The place has or presents various options for tourists to explore.
The most important thing about this lake is the climate around the year. It’s surrounded by green hills and has beautiful sunset views. The area around it is also famous for peacocks that roam freely here. Punganoor lake is one of the most famous weekend gateways in Yelagiri.
One can enjoy boating on its calm waters and spend some time with family and friends at night. It’s an ideal place to spend quality time with your loved ones away from city life and traffic jams. This is also one of the camping places to visit in Yelagiri with friends.
| Punganoor Lake Yelagiri address | Boat House Road Punganur, Yelagiri, Tamil Nadu 635853 |
| Punganoor Lake Yelagiri open timings | 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM on all days |
| Punganoor Lake Yelagiri ticket price | Rs. 10 for a person, Rs. 5 for a Camera, RS.75 per head for Row Boat, & Rs. 50 per head for Pedal Boat. |
Google Review – One of the main attractions and scenic beauty in Yellagiri. The lake is small and they collect Rs. 50 per person for rowing and Rs. 100 per person for pedaling. Opens around 10.30 am and the average crowd and waiting time will be there. Must see it in Yellagiri.
2. Jalakandeswarar Temple
The Jalakandeswarar Temple is another popular place to visit in Yelagiri hills. It is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It has been constructed on a hillock, which offers amazing views of Yelagiri from its premises.
The temple is one of the finest examples of Vijayanagaram Architecture. The Jalakandeswarar Temple has two main towers or gopurams and five smaller ones. There are many carvings on these gopurams that tell stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Inside the temple, there are many shrines dedicated to various deities like Murugan, Vinayagar, Rama, Sita, Lakshman, etc. The temple is famous for its holy, calm, and serene atmosphere which attracts huge numbers of devotees around the world.
It is well known for its massive gates, outstanding carvings on the wall, and strong pillars. So if you are one of those who love deities from your heart then this is the place where you should be.
It is one of the best places to visit in Yelagiri with family. These shrines have beautiful paintings that depict stories from Hindu mythology. This is also one of the best places to see in Yelagiri hills.
| Jalagandeeswarar Temple Yelagiri address | W4CH+RHR, Balaji Nagar, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632004 |
| Jalagandeeswarar Temple Yelagiri open timings | Opens at 6:30 a.m. and closes at 8:30 p.m. |
| Jalagandeeswarar Temple Yelagiri entry fee | Entry is free |
Google Review – Very well-maintained temple. Excellent ambiance. No unruly crowds. Very neat and clean. Located inside Vellore Fort which is situated right inside Vellore city. No guides are available to take you around the fort.
3. Swamimalai Hills Trek
This is the highest point and one of the best trekking places in Yelagiri hills. The place is situated 4500 feet above altitude or sea level which is one of the best hills in India. The hills start from the village called Mangalam which is the central place to start trekking.
The Swamimalai Hills has a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva temple, which is visited by thousands of devotees every year. The local people believe that there were vast rocks just opposite the temple and there was Trishul top up the rocks.
From the summit, you will be able to see the breathtaking views of the Mangalam villages and hills. The peoples love to do camping on the summit to have the best cool breeze environment and outstanding views of the area.
If you haven’t visited yet this mind-blowing places in Yelagiri then you should visit them on your upcoming weekend or holidays. This is one of the best adventure places to see in Yelagiri to explore with your friends.
| Swamimalai Hills Yelagiri address | HMX8+3V4, Swamimalai Treking Rte, Mangalam, Mangalam R.F., Tamil Nadu 635853 |
| Swamimalai Hills Yelagiri open timings | There is no particular time |
| Swamimalai Hills Yelagiri ticket price | Forest dept charges Rs-350/- person to trek |
Google Review – Good place to trek and spend weekend mornings. It takes an hour one way to reach the temple at the top. Entry ticket needs to be purchased on the way for 350rs if the trek is permitted. Local people sell refreshments like buttermilk, lemon juice, and fruits on the way.
4. Amirtha Zoological Park
Amritha Zoological Park is one of the most famous places in the Vellore district which is also close to Yelagiri city of Tamil Nadu. It is also one oldest Zoological parks in Vellore. It was opened in the year 1967 along with a land of 25 hectares.
If you haven’t visited Amritha Zoological park in Yelagiri that means you haven’t explored the tourist places or most romantic places in Yelagiri, Tamil Nadu. The places have natural beauty and it has become most popular for those who love to click the pictures and want to boost their Instagram feeds.
The place has divided into two parts which are half of the place is for travelers for exploring the best tourist spots in Vellore, and the next half is developed for the wildlife sanctuary. This is also one of the most famous trekking and hill places in Yelagiri.
Amritha zoological park is also famous for its waterfall. So if you love to tour the natural beauty places in India then you must visit this place to have a memorable experience. This is one of the best places to visit in Yelagiri hills.
| Amirtha Zoological park address | P3J4+VJW, Kannamangalam, Kathalampattu R.F, Amirthi, Vellore, Tamil Nadu |
| Amirtha Zoological park open timings | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Amirtha Zoological park entry fee | The entry fee is 5 rupees per person |
Google Review – 1-hour drive from Vellore. Roads are narrowly leading to Amirtha. The ticket counter is 500 meters from the entrance. The zoo is open from 8 am to 5 pm. Very few animals and birds. Crocodiles and pelicans are the star attraction. Parking space for cars and 2-wheelers is present. A small cafeteria presents just outside the entrance. The restroom is present inside the zoo.
5. Nature Park
Nature Park is the most visited part of the natural park and features amazing flora and fauna. More than a thousand species of flowering plants, cycads, ferns, bamboo, and other vegetation of the Eastern Ghats grow here.
This part is largely a shaded forest with huge trees and plants like the Ashoka tree, medicinal plants like Gmelina Arborea, and famous tourist attractions Like a cinnamon tree, etc. This is also one of the most famous places in Yelagiri, Tamil Nadu.
Other attractions include 1260 hectares of mixed evergreen forests; various mosses; 130 varieties of butterflies; 20 different varieties of snakes including the common krait; over 40 species of mammals including leopards and bonnet macaques (Rhesus monkeys). The trees here are about 150 years old.
| Nature Park Yelagiri address | Punganur, Yelagiri, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Nature Park Yelagiri open timings | Open timing is 9:00 am – 7:00 pm |
| Nature Park Yelagiri entry fee | Rupees 30 per person |
Google Review – Must-visit place in Yelagiri. The entrance is also cheap 15₹ INR and parking facilities are there. Situated at the main junction of Yelagiri. One must visit this place.
It is very neatly maintained and we missed it during the evening time, there’s a special Light show. The park is open till 7 pm! So definitely worth visiting as you can take a big walk around and click pictures! There’s an artificial waterfall which is good.
6. Velavan Temple
The Velavan temple is also called as Murugan temple situated atop a hill in Yelagiri. This temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan and is the main attraction in Yelagiri. It also has a marvelous view of green paddy fields and is worth visiting any time of year.
For people who are interested in trekking, climbing up here on your own is a great way to stretch your legs! Be sure to pack water if you’re going to hike up here though—there aren’t many vendors around that sell drinks along the way.
The place is also known as one of the most famous for its scenic beauty and the cool bridge whether. In this place, you will see many devotees coming to see the temple and praying to achieve their goals in their life. This is one of the best tourist places in Yelagiri.
| Velavan Temple Yelagiri address | HJQR+HFF, Yelagiri, Tamil Nadu, 635853, India |
| Velavan Temple Yelagiri open timings | No particular time |
| Velavan Temple Yelagiri entry fee | No entry fee |
Google Review – Lord Murugan temple in Yelagiri just behind Sterling Hotel. A well-maintained and beautiful temple. Just need to climb a few steps. Spend some time over and enjoy the peace, silence, and beautiful view of Yelagiri. Must visit.
7. Nilavoor Lake – Places To Visit In Yelagiri Hills
This is one of the most popular tourist places in Yelagiri hills. The Nilavoor lake is an artificial lake situated very close to the Nilavoor village. All year round, water flows into the lake and fills it up.
If you visit during early summer, you can watch live turtles nesting on a green raft in the middle of the lake as they come out of their shells and get ready to swim off into the wild. People have tried to capture these lovely creatures but have not succeeded because turtles are strong swimmers and very difficult to catch!
These beautiful creatures leave behind their little ones which grow very fast and by June/July, they too start leaving for the wild waters of the Bay of Bengal. this is one of the best and most famous hidden places in Yelagiri for couples.
| Nilavoor Lake Yelagiri address | Yelagiri, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 635853, India |
| Nilavoor Lake Yelagiri open timings | No particular timing |
| Nilavoor Lake Yelagiri ticket price | No entry fee |
Google Review – Nilavoor viewpoint is perfect for a sunset view. Lake is closed for tourist operations. But the nearby temple is amazing, never seen such a temple atmosphere with a big space. Check with locals on temple open timing. One of never miss temples in Yelagiri.
8. Jalagamparai Waterfalls – Yelagiri places to visit
When we are discussing the best tourist places in Yelagiri hills then how we can skip the Jalagamparai Waterfalls. Yes! this is one of the most famous tourist spots in Yelagiri Hills. In this place, you will not only see the waterfalls, but apart from this, you can also do endless activities.
The waterfalls are surrounded by dense foliage and the beauty of the waterfall is worth the drive. At times, Yelagiri is also referred to as an oasis due to its three waterfalls: Papanasam, Manjalar, and Jalagamparai.
These waterfalls are situated near Tamil Nadu’s border with Andhra Pradesh, about 120 km from Chennai. If you have time on your hand or wish to go away for a week or two, Yelagiri is the perfect place for nature lovers because of its naturally rich flora and fauna.
If you are tired of visiting places like Marina Beach in Chennai or Madurai Meenakshi Temple in Madurai; then here is a list of places that might interest you. If you have not visited yet this place then you must visit Yelagiri on your next holidays.
| Jalagamparai Waterfalls Yelagiri address | Tourist attraction in Nagalathu Extension R F, Tamil Nadu |
| Jalagamparai Waterfalls Yelagiri open timings | Open 07:00 am – 06:00 pm |
| Jalagamparai Waterfalls Yelagiri entry fee | No entry fee at all. |
Google Review – The water level is good to last Sunday. A lot of portable shops are available. Restroom facilities and ladies’ dress changing room need improvement. A parking facility is also available. The Temple floor is very hot and needs to provide some shed for the shadow.
9. Vainu Bappu Observatory – Tourist Places In Yelagiri
The Vainu Bappu Observatory is one of the largest telescope Observatories in Asia. It was established in the 1970s by India’s National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA), situated in Kavalur, Tirupathur district state of Tamil Nadu.
It’s home to Asia’s largest telescope and is a great place to check out. The telescope has a 56 m diameter reflector, which comes in handy during the observation of radio sources from outer space, their properties, and evolution.
Normally, you are allowed to enter only when they hold open houses but there are chances to experience it personally during public holidays. An enjoyable evening spent stargazing under a dark sky is hard to beat. This is the must-visit place for every young generation to explore the best historical place in Tamil Nadu Chennai.
| Telescope Observatory Yelagiri address | HRGF+X3G, Javadi Hills, Alangayam, Kavalur, Tamil Nadu 635701 |
| Telescope Observatory Yelagiri open timings | 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m |
| Telescope Observatory Yelagiri ticket price | No ticket price at all. |
Google Review – The observatory is maintained by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore. Visit this place at night time. With very less light pollution, you can get a clear view of the stars. Watch out for snakes at night time since this place is situated amid a dense forest. You may need special permission from IIA to visit the telescopes.
10. Government Herbal Farm – Yelagiri Places To See
This place is located near Punganur Lake, around 15 km from Yelagiri. Popular for its medicinal plants and gardening activities, the farm has 14 types of herbal plants and trees that are grown on four acres of land.
There are also beautiful picnic spots on the shores of Punganur Lake where you can spend some quality time with your family after sightseeing at the Farm. A must-visit during the monsoon season for its lush greenery, cool temperature, and ideal weather conditions.
After visiting Punganur Lake and Government’s Herbal Farm go to Punganur town if you want to get traditional refreshments like ‘Chakli’. It is a famous sweet made in Punganur, which was a popular sweet among kings and emperors centuries ago. This is one of the best Yelagiri places to see.
| Government Herbal Farm Yelagiri address | |
| Government Herbal Farm Yelagiri open timings | Open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. |
| Government Herbal Farm Yelagiri ticket price | Every individual is 15 INR |
Google Review – The best place to get baby plants. Plants are so fresh, attractive, and have good fragrances. There were 1000s of plants collection that are well maintained with beautiful surroundings. Got a black pepper plant & some rose plants. Merchant also suggests some tips to maintain them.
11. Sterling Resort – Places To Stay In Yelagiri Hills
If you want to explore the most romantic places then you must check into the sterling resort. Sterling is located in heart of the place and This is one of the best places to stay in Yelagiri Hills. The resort has a peaceful ambiance which will give you a unique and unforgettable experience.
Sterling has mindblowing restaurants and bars to give you the best entertainment. The room has modern amenities and is well-equipped which creates a comfortable stay. From these hotels, you can explore more renowned tourist destinations like Velavan temple, Jalagamparai falls, etc.
What is special in Yelagiri?
Yelagiri is one of the most famous places in Tamilnadu state. The place has many places where you can visit and you can make your weekend memorable. There are many places to visit and here is the list below of top places in Yelagiri –
1. Jalagamparai Falls
2. Nature Park
3. Punganoor Lake
4. SwamiMalai Hills
5. Velavan Temple
6. Nilavoor Lake
7. Herbal Farm
8. Vainu Bappu Observatory
Is Yelagiri worth visiting?
Of course, Yelagiri is worth visiting. The place has waterfalls, a Zoo Park, famous temples, and Asia’s largest telescope. So, this is not worth visiting the place but it must-visit place for all who love adventure and trekking as well.
What is the best time to visit Yelagiri?
Yelagiri has mind-blowing weather throughout the year but your most visited tourist time is between November to February.
Is one day enough for Yelagiri?
Yelagiri is not so big a place but has many things to explore so if you have a couple of days then will be much better.
Which are the best shopping places in Yelagiri?
The place has many shopping destinations like the Amudham shopping complex, Hills Top Fancy, Yelagiri Market, and more.
What are the famous places in Yelagiri Hills?
Yelagiri has many famous places like – Punganoor Lake
2. Jalakandeswarar Temple
3. Swamimalai Hills Trek
4. Amirtha Zoological Park
5. Nature Park
6. Velavan Temple
7. Nilavoor Lake
8. Jalagamparai Waterfalls
What are the sightseeing places in Yelagiri?
Here is the list of the best sightseeing places in Yelagiri Hills –
1. Punganoor Lake
2. Jalakandeswarar Temple
3. Swamimalai Hills Trek
4. Amirtha Zoological Park
5. Nature Park
6. Velavan Temple
7. Nilavoor Lake
8. Jalagamparai Waterfalls
Tourist Spots In Yelagiri
Thank you for reading this article. I hope you have found the best tourist places in Yelagiri to explore. If you have any queries then please contact me with this mail id – contact@asruptravels.com. I will be so happy to see your message in my inbox. Thanks in advance.