Yelagiri, Tamilnadu - A short weekend destination

Vanakkam!!!  Greetings!!!

It's been long since we trip out and also it's been very long I'm writing.  Lots of clicks are stacked in my PC without publishing.  So, I have booted my memories again to share with all.

Yelagiri - A small hill station in Vellore district.  It will be refreshing for those who stress out over the week and awaiting for a relaxing weekend.

It was my first trip with my car, along with my friends +Suriyadeepan Damodaram, +Abdul Khader, +Sripadaraj N.  It was a nice start from the Chennai-Bangalore Highway.  


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The drive was very relaxing and amazing for me that too with various discussions with my friends.  We stopped by to take delicious dinner at Ambur for it world famous Biriyani.  STAR Biriyani is the very famous shop which is visible in both the sides of the road while you enter Ambur.  Its adjacent to the railway station. I was really amazed to taste the biriyani.  I wasn't disappointed.  It was really tasty and that too with Mutton Chukka... hmmmmm... awesome.  We took a pack for the backup to eat in the night :-).  

Once you cross Ambur, there will be diversion from the highway to take the Yelagiri road.  The next interesting part was the drive along the ghat roads.  I was thrilled to drive in the dark roads at around 10pm. We parked the car to enjoy the view of the city landscape from a viewpoint.  We have made our bookings at the Le Auroville resort over phone which we heard as a good one.  Its very nearby once you enter the Yelagiri hill town.  It was a nice place with few cottages built surrounded by mountains.  The weather was little cold outside which created a good mood to spend time.  The resort provides good food, indoor and outdoor games too.  We enjoyed the time with bonfire arranged by the resort for lesser cost. 

Suriya enjoying a good time

Happy couple spotted around ;-)

The resort was comfortable for us to spend the night.  Had a good sleep there after long conversations and playing cards.  

We woke up with a hot coffee to enjoy the cool weather outside.  Green everywhere outside.  A cool view of mountains surrounded.  I started the day with my camera to capture the surroundings.  

Beautiful view along with the resort 

Breakfast was good which had Bread omelette, dosa, idly with good chutneys and sambar.  So we had a healthy breakfast and played cricket and shuttle badminton for sometime.  We prepared ourselves to roam outside.

Yelagiri doesn't has more places to visit other than the view points and the lake which is there in the center.  Boating is arranged in the lake and safety measures are followed strictly.  Pedal boats and row boats are also available.  Lots of vendors sells variety of eatable items such as lake fish, jack-fruit, pure honey, Wild custard apple, etc.  

A walk path is there surrounding the lake and also many play spots available for the kids.  A tree house is also built up for a view from the top of the tree nearby the lake.  

Tree house view point

We roamed over these places and purchased few Jack fruit and forest fruits.  It was time for us to check out the resort and also there was no other place to visit there.  We checked out the resort.

Again started our journey happily and the driving was very interesting for me to as it was day time.  We rushed towards the STAR biriyani again for the lunch.  This time our expectations were high and so we ate more than last night and we tasted the Mutton biriyani this time.  It was delicious.  Don't ever miss this biriyani if you pass by this road.  

In Yelagiri, you can't find petrol pumps but there is a pump available just after taking the diversion from the highway.  ATMs and other basic needs are available.  Good hotels are also available there.  All the mobile networks reaches there.  In totally, a best place to spend time with your friends, families and colleagues over the weekend.



One of my captures. 

All is Well - Eat healthy!! Stay Healthy!!! 





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Chennai - Pulicat Lake | Tada - Road Trip

Pulicat Bird Sanctuary

Its been a long time for me after Gudium Caves trip. So, I planned to take a trip towards Pulicat lake which is located in the TN-AP border. So, invited some friends and started the journey on a fine Sunday from Anna nagar, Chennai.

Location: Pulicat Lake / Bird Sanctuary

Direction: NH 5 towards Kolkatta.

There are two three entry points for Pulicat Lake.

1. Tada - A right turn which takes you from the NH5 towards Kolkatta.

2. Sulurpet - A round turn junction road 3km after Sulurpet and there towards Sriharikota.

3. Ponneri - A right turn from NH 5 road towards Ponneri and from there again you have to travel a lot towards the lake.

Pulicat lake is covered in a long way and so the right side of NH 5 will take you to there. But we have to choose the exact path to reduce the unwanted travel.

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From this picture you can see the vast area, which is surrounded by lake. These transmission lines goes to Sriharikota rocket lauchpad.

The location was wonderful but the season which you choose is important. Better try to go in December - March.




The two sides of the road is covered by this lake and the birds.





Great Flamingos are seen here in large numbers.

A few kilometers ahead Sriharikota rocket launching site is there. You can see the prototype of PSLV in the entrance of that site. Public is allowed to visit this site on all Wednesdays.



We were disappointed by the dry weather and the dry lake were we could not see more birds and boating in that spot. Boating can be taken if you choose the Tada route to Pulicat. I mean the first route I have mentioned above. But we choose the second route. We really got tired driving all along in the hot sun.

While returning we planned to go to Tada waterfalls. So, we returned from Sriharikota road again to NH 5 and from there we went to Tada. A right turn has to be taken in that direction of return. The road which goes to Srikalahasti takes you to Tada waterfalls. Its around 20 km from the highway.

Kalki Oneness Temple

There is a lot to travel even after reaching the entrance of the Tada waterfalls. There is a small locality there from there around 5 km has to be traveled in a rough road. There is a parking lot there and the time to visit tada is from 8 to 5pm everyday. Cameras are charged Rs.50 and two wheelers are charged Rs.15.



From that parking space, a lot of distance have to crossed by walk through the forests way. You can witness some streams while walking. Approximately it will take around 1:30 hours to reach the main waterfalls. Its best to go in groups. Please do not litter the place. Its a beautiful place which is being littered by drunkards. Save the beauty of Tada.


We returned to Chennai after enjoying the beauty of Tada waterfalls. Two wheelers are preferable but the distance is very long and there are risks of tyres being punctured. So, better travel in a 4 wheeler in groups and explore the beauty.


 

Chennai - Gudiyam Caves - Road Trip

Gudium Caves ( As mentioned by Archaeological Department of Tamilnadu)

This name is not familiar to Chennai people. So, I though I should make this familiar at least among my network. I found a day with awesome weather in Chennai. So, my mind started to think about a long travel in bike to enjoy the weather.

Decided to travel to Gudium Caves. My friend and colleague Kamal joined me happily and we started our trip in Honda Unicorn bike of Kamal's. The destination is more than 70 Km from Guindy. We took the Poonamalle High Road and from there a diversion towards Tiruvallur.

Gudium Caves is known for its 1 lakh year old rock-shelters, statues etc. Prefered for trekkers and who loves to travel.

The travel was very fine as we found a lot of green fields everywhere.

Shivan Temple at Tirumizhisai

Kamal posing after a long drive

Till you reach Tiruvallur, you can't find any ATMs, restaurants, fuel stations(limited) etc. Hotel Akshaya Bhavan was excellent and has good service. Its in Tiruvallur.

After a healthy lunch, we started our trip again. From Tiruvallur, you have to take a right which goes to Poondi reservoir.

It's around 30 minutes travel from there. You can find the reservoir starts in the left side of the road. Lots of Mango trees, palm trees surrounding the reservoir entries. From the main road, you have to take a left turn to reach this Reservoir. Keep in mind that, you must take the left turn. Otherwise the road may take you somewhere.
There are two hair-pin bends before reaching this reservoir. A narrow road wherein only one heavy vehicle can pass.




















Crossing this dam, a road that goes right has to be taken. There will be some direction to reach the Goonipalayam. I don't know whether that place is related to Gudium village. People around the Poondi dam doesn't know clearly about Gudium. Enquired many and continued our travel blindly.

There starts the adventure. The roads are not good after this point. Care has to be taken while driving.


We were travelling for around 10 km and we did'nt find any traces of Gudium Caves or Hills. There was another diversion towards right which took us to the destination. Immediately after taking right, we found the directions for the Gudium Caves for the First time. We felt really happy that we have reached the destination. The place was surrounded with eucalyptus trees.


A 4 km travel after this point. A small village was there. The way we traveled after this village was very bad. Full of rocks.


Better consult some local people in the village before proceeding.

Better come with a good vehicle. Other than bikes for a safe return. We didn't expect such a road with pebbles and sands. After a long hard walk of around 2km, we realized that we can not move with bike after that. A big provision to park vehicles is there. But really it is not safe and there is no other go. So we parked there.




This was the only pattern of soil found there. But there was no big thorns on the paths. Stones colored with white paints directs you to the cave.

Directors to the Cave

A way which goes right and then takes to the top of the hill. Very steep way. We got tired at this point as we didn't take water or food with us. Climbing this way leads you to a big cave wherein lots of small stones are carved in that. It was amazing to see that. But to say in real, everyone will get disappointed to see just the rock-shelters and stones.

























Climbed yet to reach the top of the hill. Total surrounding was viewed at that point. It was awesome to spend time there with cool breeze.


But we totally got exhausted.


We didn't lose our heart. Saw some more places there and then came out of the caves since it was getting dark and there is no one all around the place except the two of us.

This was the only water place we found there.

We drove very fast in search of water. Found water and quenched our thirsts.

It was very exciting for us to cover such an area which is unknown to many people and there are no proper directions.

Take a water bottle and some eatables for sure if you plan to visit this caves. Come in groups which will be safer. Come early and leave early. DO NOT travel alone as Gudium caves is in a forest and no one can come for any assistance early in case of any emergency.


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Our return journey towards Chennai at 100kmph speed.

I was so satisfied with this road trip. I enjoyed the weather, the nature, unknown place. We explored a lot.

Keep reading. Will upload the next post soon after a trip. Keep Smiling :-)