Valparai, Tamil Nadu – A serene, desolate & pollution free land with its evergreen natural beauty on the Anamalai mountain range
Resting at an altitude of 3,500 feet from the sea level on the Anamalai mountain range of the Western Ghats, Varpalai does not mean only a single town. It is a serene, desolate and pollution free land standing majestically with Green Spread Mountains and forest all around. This is the most prestigious, impressive, inspiring hill resort of Tamil Nadu. Enveloped with lush green tea garden, the scenic beauty of Valparai is seems to be the live portrait of a landscape.
Places to see in Valparai: Valparai is an ideal base to explore a number of tourist attractions. These include:
Monkey Falls
4 kms from the Azhiyar park, near the Valparai- Navamalai diversion, this is one of nature’s finest and purest sources of minerals and ayurvedic formulations, these falls truly rejuvenate your body and mind.
Loam’s View Point
A beautiful view point from where you can see Aliyar Dam, the surrounding mountains of western Ghats and the Pollachi town. This is situated in 9th hairpin bend towards Valparai from Pollachi.
Balaji Temple
10 kms from Valparai, Balaji temple is owned by the Peria Karamalai tea Industries. Situated in Karamalai it is a famous and beautiful temple. Just 10kms from Valparai, you can reach temple either from Valparai town or take a detour from Hair pin bend 40. You have to park your vehicle much ahead of temple and walk uphill for 500 mts to reach temple.
Chitti Vinayagar Temple
Chitti Vinayagar Temple is owned by Jayshree tea Industries, Sholayar. The temple is situated in a beautiful garden environment and It only of 5 km from Valparai town.
Nirar dam
This dam is built for multi purpose project such as irrigation, Hydro electricity production. Dam is situated in a wonderful location covered by a dense forest. There is a waterfalls near by the dam which resembles the Cascade.
Chinnakallar
Chinnakalar is a geographically important place. It is the second highest rain fall area in India. Always found wet and misty. A greenish dense forest with tall majestic trees all along the road to Chinnakalar is a pleasure to enjoy. There is a falls in Chinnakallar which sounds like a roaring lion.
Nallamudi Poonjolai
A beautiful view point located near the Sangiliroad in Valparai. One must walk for about 1 km inside the tea estate to reach this view point.
Number Parai
This is also a beautiful view point, near by Sangili road near Valparai.
Grass Hills
It is a part of Indra Gandhi wildlife sanctuary & national park. Surrounded by a green grass environment, this is a beautiful site of high green grasses on a mountain slope, which is a protected area. Visitors have to obtain permission from the wildlife warden to enter the Grass Hills. grass hills is a picturesque spot located in the Valparai hills range, at a height of approx: 2400m msl, with cool climate getting cooler at night, a part of Indira Gandhi Wild Life Sanctuary. Right now all efforts are being undertaken by the government to preserve the flora and fauna of this location. Nilgiri Thar is native of this place apart from Elephants, Bison, Indian Gaur, Bear, Nilgiri Langurs etc.. and a wide variety of birds including Hornbills.
Kadamparai Dam
This is a beautiful place to visit. Prior permission from the forest department is necessary to visit this place.
Chinna Kallar
Considered to be one of the wettest places in India at par with Mawsymram, Cherrapunji and Agumbe. The waterfalls in this area can be reached by an adventurous trek upon a hanging bridge, a legacy of the British.
Balaji Temple
Fables will tell you that the presiding deity here is not any less powerful than Thirupathi Balaji himself. A private estate makes sure that the abode of the lord is maintained in pristine condition.Located amidst serene tea gardens, the silence and the climate prevailing here makes it an ideal place to reinforce one’s conviction in the almighty. There is also a play area and a lawn for the tiny tots.
Iraichal Parai Falls
8 kms from Valparai near the Balaji temple, the water originates from the springs in the Grass Hills and it forms the perennial Nadumalai River which flows through Valparai. Bathing in the falls is strictly prohibited as it provides drinking water to the surrounding region. There is also a check dam on the river.
Nearby attractions of Valparai: The visit to Valparai ends not only by its sight seeing tour. There are also many places to visit around the spot. These are:
Aaliyar Dam
Aliyar or azhiyar Dam is a reservoir located 27 KM away from pollachi on the foothills of Valparai, in the Anamalai range of the Western Ghats. The dam offers some ideal getaways including a park, an aquarium and a mini Theme-Park maintained by Tamilnadu Fisheries Corporation. It is an ideal picnic spot.
Tiger Valley
Approximately 35 kms enroute Valparai, it provides a spectacular view of Kadamparai and the upper Azhiyar projects. Wind mills situated on the plains can be a feast to the eyes, try zooming in your binocuars for a couple.
Athirapally Falls
It is near to the entrance of the Sholayar range is a place of great scenic beauty. Here, the water plunges from a height of nearly 80 feet before joining the Chalakudi river. This picturesque spot is adjacent to dense green forest, and is a part of ChalakudiRiver, 50 Km from Valparai towards Chalakudi, Kerala.
Manompally Forest
This reserve forest truly provides the icing on the cake for Valparai. located at about 20 km from the town, this place is sure to get your jaws dropping in fascination. Graced by the manompally river(with a few crocodiles, of course), this reserve forest provides adventurous treks, a high probability to sight some of endangered species. There is a trekking shed( rest house) on the banks of manompally river which doubles up as a base camp for those bent on adventure.Prior permission from the Forest Department required.
Karamalai Annai Vellankanni Church
Lot of miracles happened by Vellankanni Matha Fesitival takes place every year during September 8th. New church was built in the year 2003. The place is idyllic to enjoy spiritual peaceful environment. Many people visit this Church daily.
Sholayar Dam
It is the second deepest dam of Asia. Situated at a distance of 20 Kms., from Valparai, it is a beautiful place to visit.
Things to do in Valparai: Sight seeing to the beautiful locations along with trekking is a wonderful thing worth enjoying here. If doing nothing then enjoy a nature walk to explore the spectacular surroundings.
Best time to visit Valparai: The best time to visit Valparai is from January to June and September to November. The weather is extremely pleasant during this time.
How to go ?
By Air
Coimbatore is the nearest Airport from Valparai which is connected by rail routes with all major cities of India.
By Train
Pollachi & Coimbatore is the nearest railway station from Valparai. Coimbatore connected with all major rail routes of the country.
By Road
Valparai can be reached by cars & buses from Pollachi, Coimbatore, Palakkad.
Where to stay ?
There are some budget and luxury hotels at Valparai. Some options are:
Hotel Green Hill: +91–04253-222861-3, 222562 Website: www.valparaigreenhillhotels.com
Hotel Holiday Break: +91-04253-222255, 222234 Website: www.hotelholidaybreak.com
Krishn Inn : +91-9443504742 Website: www.valparaikrishnainn.com
Note : Phone numbers given above are according to the information available with us. If you find any contact number/s given above is/are incorrect or not in use, please let us know.
