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 - Pazhaverkadu - A joyful trip - Tamilnadu

Once again to Pulicat Lake.  But this time I choose the right path which was more simple and safe.  Enjoy the post with cool pictures captured around Pulicat Lake.

 

Pulicat Lake or பழவேற்காடு 

One of the tourist spot around Chennai to be enjoyed within a day.  This spot can be reached either through direct bus or train to Ponneri.  From CMBT direct buses are available to Pazhaverkadu.  If you are near the Central station of Chennai, taking suburban train to Ponneri would be best option.  From Ponneri, lots of local buses are available to Pazhaverkadu.  Its about 18 km from the Ponneri bus stand.  Share auto services are available from Ponneri train station to bus stations.  You can also, hire a share auto (tata auto) directly to Pulicat lake.  Depending upon the group of people, you can bargain the share autos.  

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Directions to Pulicat or Chennai from Ponneri

The first thing you can see at the Pulicat Lake is the very old Dutch Cemetery with 22 tombs.  Most of the tombs are getting eroded.

Dutch Cemetery View

We have arranged for a boat to roam around the lake.  Many boats are available to visit the lake.  But before taking the boat journey, please carry the required things.  Water bottles, food, extra clothes, etc.  Since the weather was normal at the time and there was cool breeze, we enjoyed the time there.

Newly built flyover bridge across the Pulicat Lake

Pulicat lake is brackish water where it mingles with the Bay of Bengal Ocean.  So, while you reach the end of the lake, the waves will be more and care has to be taken for the safety.  The tidal waves are more and it is danger to take a dip without the care of any known people about the place and depths.

We had a good friend of my colleague as the guide to take the boat all around the lake.

Our gang

We also enjoyed the beautiful waves of the beach after our lunch and passing through the bushes.

Beautiful and higher tides at Pulicat Lake beach.

This beach is isolated and I strongly advice to go in groups and return before it gets dark and with some guide.  Our guide Mr.Senthil suggested a good place to take a dip where there is no depth and less current.  We enjoyed a good time there.

A joyful dip at the Pulicat Lake

As were a good gang to enjoy all the places, our day went on well at Pulicat.  Unlimited happiness at the lake and boating.  Kids will enjoy this ride.  But be cautious while taking kids for their safety. 

You can see the place where the lake and ocean emerges.

Lots of hotels, shops are available at reasonable rates.  But you have to carry those to boat to survive for few hours.  Chances are there to get exhausted because of the dry weather.  So, carry more water and it is mandatory there.

View of Light house from the newly built flyover bridge

Fishes and variety of crabs are sold in the market of Pulicat at reasonable rates. 

View of fisheries from the bridge

A beautiful spot to enjoy with friends and family.  Please visit in groups and take more water, food, extra clothes.  And the most important thing is to avoid taking bath at the lake or the beach.  Many had lost their lives here being ignorant about the place.

Keep visiting for the next spot with beautiful pictures.  Do comment about your views about this post.
Keep smiling and exploring.

Ashok


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