Yercaud Tourism – Exploring the Poor Man’s Ooty
Yercaud is located at an altitude of 1500 m in the Shevaroys hill range and is often referred to as the ‘Poor man’s Ooty’.
Yercaud, a small hill station near Salem in the state of Tamil Nadu, gets its name from the lake located at its centre and the forests surrounding the lake. In Tamil ‘Yeri’ means lake and ‘Kaadu’ means forest.
Yercaud covers an area of 380 sq km and is less crowded than Kodaikanal and Ooty thus making it a popular weekend destination.
Like most of the hill stations in India, Yercaud was discovered by Sir Thomas Munroe, the governor of Madras Presidency in 1842. But David Cockburn is known as the ‘Father of Yercaud’ because it was he who introduced the cultivation of coffee, orange, pears and apple.
Yercaud is supposed to be protected by Lord Servarayan. A temple dedicated to him is found on top of the Servarayan hill located at an altitude of 1660 m. The temple is located in a narrow and dark cave and also has the idol of Goddess Cauvery.
It is said that the name Shevaroys was anglicised by the British from the Tamil name Servarayan which is the local name of the hill ranges. Yercaud is located in the Eastern Ghats and unlike the more lush Western Ghats, the forests here are dry and rocky.
Like all hill stations the drive up to Yercaud from Salem, at the base, is mesmerising. One has to manoeuvre over 20 hair pin bends to reach Yercaud from Salem. The drive takes you through some beautiful coffee and orange plantations.
Big Lake in Yercaud is where the action is and most of the tourists flock. Yercaud Tourism has maintained a boat club where one can choose from a variety of boats like a paddle boat, motor boat or rowing boat. Right next to the lake is a park called the Anna Park. Killiyur Falls is a 300 ft high waterfall, fed by the Big Lake.
Lady’s seat that overlooks the Ghat road offers a panoramic view of the Salem town, Mettur dam and Cauvery River. A telescope mounted by the Yercaud Tourism can be used to enjoy the valley view.
Pagoda point is another view point. Previously there used to be a Pagoda built by the tribes but now there stands a Rama temple.
Yercaud is connected by air, rail and road. The nearest airport is Salem Airport, 38 km away. Airports in Tiruchirapalli, 165 km and Coimbatore, 195 km away are also nearby. The nearest railway station is Salem and is 38 km away.
From the railway station and airport, both state owned buses and private vehicles are available to Yercaud.
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