A Perfect Getaway for the Summer Holidays

Come summer, and all of us pine for the cool embrace of the hills. In Tamil Nadu, this usually means making a beeline for popular hill stations like Ooty and Kodaikanal. While these iconic destinations have timeless appeal, look a little further, and you will find many offbeat and equally rewarding places where you can be one with nature and soak in the tranquillity of your surroundings.

POOMBARAI

Just 20 kilometres from Kodaikanal lies Poombarai. Set in the Palani Hills at an altitude of 1,920 metres, the tiny hamlet is known for its scenic views, eye-catching terraced fields and laidback vibe. A major draw is the ancient Kuzhanthai Velappar Temple dedicated to Lord Murugan. As attested by an inscription on the temple walls, it was built by a Chera king. Ther Thiruvizha (chariot festival) is held here annually on Kettai nakshatra with much fanfare. The area is noted for its garlic cultivation, so you can pick up some to take back home from the garlic market outside the temple. Especially look out for the Malai Poondu or hill garlic, which is coveted for its robust flavour and medicinal properties. The pristine Mannavanur Lake is a great spot for a picnic. Other scenic spots like Kookal Lake & Falls, Poondi Dam and Polur Falls are not far either. Or you can just sit at one of the cafés in the village and watch the world go by.

 

VALPARAI

Mountain roads punctuated with hairpin bends transport you through lush green hill tracts to the charming destination of Valparai in the Anamalai range, 65 kilometres from the city of Pollachi. This is a truly special place, enveloped by thick forests as well as tea estates and coffee plantations, some of which you can visit and even stay at. There’s a lot to do here, especially for families. Popular attractions include scenic spots like the Upper Sholayar Dam, Nirar Dam, Aliyar Dam, Monkey Falls and the spectacular Chinnakallar Falls. The devout will want to take in the spiritual energy of venerable spots like Balaji Temple (Karimalai), Velankanni Church (Karimalai) and the Pancha Mugha Vinayagar Koil (Near Sholayar). There are numerous treks you can embark on in the surrounding hills. If you prefer it quiet, just take a stroll through the plantations and step back in time. If you’re a wildlife lover, then a visit to the Anamalai Tiger Reserve is a must when in Valparai.

YERCAUD

Set in the Servarayan Hills of the Eastern Ghats, the hill station of Yercaud can be easily accessed from the city of Salem, which lies just 30 kilometres away. Like any hill destination, Yercaud boasts a number of scenic viewpoints like Lady’s Seat, Arthur’s Seat, Pagoda Point and the Bear Shola View Point, among others. The Shevaroy cave temple also offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Perhaps the most popular attraction of this colonial-era hill station is the Botanical Garden and its Orchidarium with its mind-boggling number of orchid species on display. And certainly no visit to Yercaud can be considered complete without a leisurely boat ride on the pristine Yercaud Lake. A visit to the silk farm outside town and to the Kiliyur Falls are additional activities which should be considered to make the most of a holiday here. In the summer, the Yercaud Summer Festival and Flower Show is a popular draw which keeps visitors busy with an impressive roster of concerts, competitions, cultural events and exhibitions.

KOTAGIRI

Deep in the magical Nilgiris, Kotagiri lies 69 kilometres from Coimbatore, the nearest major city, and serves as a nice alternative to Ooty, which is under an hour’s drive from here. Kotagiri is quintessential tea country, lush with sprawling plantations. This is a trekker’s paradise, with well-established trails like the St Catherine Falls Trail, the Kotagiri-Kodanad Trail and the Kotagiri-Longwood Shola Trail. The John Sullivan Memorial is a must-visit to learn about the history and development of the region. The breathtaking Kodanad Viewpoint, set on the eastern flank of the Blue Mountains, looks over the vast plains and the Bhavanisagar Reservoir below. Kotagiri is truly a slice of paradise.

KOVALAM

If in the eternal mountains-versus-beaches debate, you fall on the beach side of the argument, then Tamil Nadu is definitely the place to be. The coastline of Tamil Nadu is a whopping 1,076 kilometres long. The mesmerising Kovalam Beach (aka Covelong Beach) is a mere 40 kilometres south of the State capital Chennai. This beach boasts the coveted Blue Flag certification, which is a nod to its excellent visitor facilities, safety standards and sustainable tourism practices. A number of watersports activities are on offer including parasailing, boating and surfing. There’s also a renowned surf school here. If you just want to have a good time on the beach, why not opt for a round of beach volleyball? Kovalam is also the perfect spot to sample some coastal delicacies like fish, prawns and other seafood.

RAMESWARAM

Rameswaram on Pamban Island connected to the mainland by a bridge has something for everyone. For the devout, there is the Ramanathaswamy Temple, with its elaborate corridors and splendidly sculpted pillars. For those hungry for an adrenaline rush, there are loads of water-based activities like snorkelling, para-sailing, windsurfing, kite surfing and scuba diving. For nature lovers, a ride on a glass-bottomed boat through the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park can be the experience of a lifetime. Visiting the abandoned town of Dhanuskodi, on the south-eastern tip of Pamban Island, is a surreal experience not to be missed. Foodies must tuck into some delectable meen kuzhambu (fish curry) and prawn masala.

Whether it’s mountains or beaches that appeal or maybe both the intrepid traveller has a plethora of options to choose from in Tamil Nadu this summer. And the range of activities and experiences on offer in the destinations will ensure that you’ll never have a dull moment on your holiday.

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