VALPARAI - TAMIL NADU

Valparai is located above the 3,500 feet from the sea level on the Anamalai mountain rangeValparai does not mean only a single town. There are 40 hairpin bends on the way to Valparai from Azhiyar. While major portions of the land is owned by private tea companies, large forest areas continue to be out of bounds. It stands majestically with Green Spread Mountains and forest all around. It is a pollution free land. There are also many places of scenic beauty such as Karainshola, Anaikunthi shola, grass hills, water falls, groves, teak forests, estates, dams and reservoirs.

64-km drive from Pollachi to Valparai is itself an exotic experience. En route is the Indira Gandhi Wild Life Sanctuary where lion-tailed macaque, the Nilgiri and the common langur, Malabar giant squirrel, elephant, gaur, spotted deer, sambar, barking deer and wild boar reside. From Valparai you can visit the Aliyar, Sholaiyar and Nirar dams. Tunnels bored into the mountains and canals to harness the water from Parambikulam, Aliyar, Nirar, Sholaiyar Dam, and several tourist spots.

Chinnakallar

It is the second highest  rain fall area inIndia. Always found wet and misty. A greenish dense forest with tall majestic trees all along the road to Chinnakalar a pleasure to enjoy. There is a falls in Chinnakallar which sounds like a roaring lion. Situated  at a distance of 15kms from Valparai.

The other places of interest near valparai are:

• Karamalai Annai Vellankanni Church
• Balaji temple
• Grass Hills

Situated  at a distance of 15 kms. from Valparai.  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  Anamalai Tiger Reserve. 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.

• Sholayar dam

It is the second deepest dam of Asia. Situated  at a distance of 20 Kms., from Valparai.  An active tourist spot found always busy. A beautiful place to visit.

• Nirar dam

This dam is built for multipurpose 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. Situated  at a distance of 15kms from Valparai.

• Chitti Vinayagar Temple
• Aliyar Park

Aliyar park is a leisure place to enjoy the natural scenery  of Aliyar dam and chain mountains of western Ghats. Kids can have a pleasant time in the park.

• Monkey Falls
• Loams View point

This is a beautiful view point to view Aliar Dam & surrounding mountains of western Ghats. This is situated in 9 th hairpin bend.

• Nallamudi Poonjolai
• Top Slip

Top slip is a national park and a medicinal plant conservation area in the Anamalai hills. It is about 37 kms. from Pollachi (about 90 kms from Coimbatore). It is famous for its elephant camp at Kollikamuthi and its wildlife. There are bungalows available within the sanctuary. For thrill seekers, accommodation is also available in a tree house. It got its name during the British era, as lots of timber slipped down to the plains below.

• Athirapilly 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 Chalakudi River, 50 Kms. from Valparai towards Chalakudi, Kerala.