The time it happened for me to make a trip to Yercaud, a lesser known hill station in South India.
About Yercaud
Yercaud, which is located in the Salem district of the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. And it is a part of the Shevaroy Hills in the Eastern Ghats. Yercaud got its name from Yercaud Lake and forests around this lake. In Tamil, “Yeri” means lake and “Kaddu” means forest. Both of these words together make Yercaud which means Lake Forest.
Yercaud is located at a distance of around 250 Km from Bangalore and around 350 Km from Chennai. It is a great choice as a weekend gateway.
Planning for the Trip
I must Admit this trip from Bangalore to Yercaud was not well Planned by Me. It just happened During the Month of October Last Year when I thought to use the Long Weekend break of Diwali Festival. So, I thought to visit Someplace near to Bangalore which I have not visited before.
Bangalore as a silicon valley of India, Many People here Always look out for a Long Weekend Getaway. So, until if you have not Planned in Advance it is difficult to get Accommodation in a Famous and Well-known Tourist Place. Luckily, I managed to get Accommodation in one of the Famous Resorts there.
Day of Journey
I Started my Journey in the Morning around 9am from Bangalore. There was not much of Traffic that day. I reached Yercaud around 4pm, after a 7hrs of the Scenic Drive. This time includes all the Stops I took for Breakfast, Lunch and other Refreshments.
The Route taken by me was through Bangalore - Hosur - Krishnagiri - Salem - Yercaud. Most Part of this Route is very Scenic and a Visual Treat to your Eyes.
Things to do in Yercaud
There are many places of Attractions, ranging from Lakes to Viewpoints to Gardens to Waterfalls. These were the Few Places which I could Visit in my Limited Timeframe. Moreover, these Places are Quite Popular among Tourists and are Worth to give a Shot:
Gents Seat
It was going to Sunset in a Few Time. As soon as I Reached to my Room, I just took my DSLR camera and Left for the Gents Seat which is a Famous Viewpoint from where you can get the Panoramic View of Salem Town and the Valley.
What's the real story?
It is a Cluster of Naturally made Rocks in the Shape of a Seat. As per Local belief, a White English Man used to Spend the Evenings Watching the Panoramic View from this Rock. Hence it got its Name, Gents Seat.
It's a Wonderful place to Watch Sunrise & Sunset. Gents seat is Located on the South West of Shevaroy Hills, at a distance of around 2km for Yercaud Bus Stand.
Yercaud Lake
A Trip to Yercaud is not Complete without Visiting the Yercaud lake. This Lake is located in the Center of Yercaud Town and is at a distance of 1.5KM from Yercaud Bus Station. This is a Completely Natural Lake which is Spanned in a very Large Area.
This Lake is Surrounded by Hills, Gardens and Large Trees. The Whole Area around the Lake feels Vibrant and Very Pleasant. So, this is a Must Visit Place for Anyone. As an Activity, You can go for Boating, Either by Hiring a Self-Pedal Boat or on a Rowing Boat. Through the Boat Ride, You can get a Chance to Explore the whole Lake.
Pagoda Point
Pagoda Point or Pyramid Point is a Viewpoint Located on the Eastern Part of Yercaud Hills. It is at a Distance of 4.5kms from Yercaud Bus Stand. The Road Trip to Pagoda Point from the Yercaud Lake will take you through the Yercaud Town and some Narrow Roads through the Green Estates that makes for an Amazing Driving Experience.
What's the Real Story?
This Place has Four Piles of Stones Arranged so as to Form a Pyramid Shape. It is said to be Built by the Local Tribes and now there is a Rama Temple Located between the Piles of Stones.
The Pagoda Point Provides for One of the Best Views of Salem City from Yercaud. It is very much Famous for its Wonderful Surroundings and one can Feel the Aroma and Chillness of Nature at this Point. Also, Here you can Observe Amazing Sunrise and Sunset Views.
The Best Part: Great Trails Yercaud by GRT
Plan to visit Hotel Great Trail by GRT, the Best Family Resort in Yercaud. It will be great if You could get a Chance to Stay at this Hotel During your Visit. Even if You could not Get a Chance to Stay here, Still you can Plan to Visit it. This Resort has a Restaurant which is Open to Outsiders too. So You can Plan a Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner whatever Suits You.
The Resort has a Valley Facing Lawn which is Accessible to In-House Guests as well as to Restaurants Guests and from this Lawn You get a Chance to Capture a Heavenly Beautiful View of Hills and Valleys. This Experience will be a Kind of Life Experience. If you are Visiting After dark then You can Get a Great Chance to Capture the Sparkling View of the Valley with all the Lights Lit.
Other Places of interest:
I did not get much Time to Visit all the Nearby Places All at Once as I Went Just for the Weekend. There are Many Other Famous Places which You can Plan to Visit during the Trip to Yercaud which Includes:
Tipperary Viewpoint (2 km from Yercaud Bus Stand), The Grange (a heritage site 2 km from Yercaud Bus Stand), Sri Raja Rajeshwari Temple (4 km from Yercaud Bus Stand), Shevaroy Temple (7 km from Yercaud Bus Stand), etc.
Yercaud is Full of Greenery and Nature. So, You Could take a Walk in the Town that will be an Exercise of Great Worth. You will get a Great Chance to know the Local People and to Feel the Closeness to Nature.
Travel Tips:
Although you can Plan any Time of the Year for this Trip. But the Season of Winter from October end - February Will be Quite Pleased with a Temperature normally Varying from 12°C to 25°C. Summer (March-May) is also a Good Season to Visit with Temperature normally Varying from 16°C to 30°C+. If You are too much in Sightseeing then You can Avoid the Monsoon which Ranges from July to September.
Transportation:
A Road Trip is the Best Way to Reach Yercaud as You can Enjoy all the Sceneries on the Way. Either You can Use your Personal Vehicle or You can Hire a Cab from all the Nearby Major Cities. Also, You can go to Salem by Bus and from there You can Hire a Taxi/Cab to Go to Yercaud. You can also Reach till Salem by Train and From there You can Hire a Taxi or Cab to Go to Yercaud.
Today I see a Destination exploring through a Lens, My Mind is more Familiar with the Experiences, My Phone has Replaced Me as My Favourite Travel Companion, My Facebook and Instagram have More Pictures of Me than People and Places.
Have you Been to Yercaud Before? Feel Free to Share your Experiences & Information in the Comments Section Below.
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