Kolli Hills

Places of Interest

Agasagangai

One has to climb down the 1000 and odd steps along the mountain edge leading to the waterfalls. The waterfall of the river Aiyaru situated close to Arapaleeswarar temple presents a truly spectacular sight, as the water cascades down 300 feet, covering all around. Note: *The climb up the steps can be pretty strenuous, and it is therefore wise to visit the falls only if one is capable of climbing back.

Arapaleeswarar temple

The Mountain is a site of pilgrimage, because of the Arapaleeswarar temple, which is believed to have a secret path to the Shiva temple in Rasipuram. This Shiva temple is said to have been built by Valvil Ori in the 1st or 2nd century when he ruled this area.

Kolli Pavai (Ettukkai Amman) Temple

The Mountain is named Kolli Malai behind the name of Goddess Ettukkai Amman (Kolli Paavai), the local deity. The mountains have several mythological legends associated with them, and often come across as an eerie place in contemporary tales due to the unexplored and less travelled terrain. Even at some places one can hear the presence of saptha kannigal.

Siddha Caves

Since ancient times, Kolli Hills has always been famous for its medicinal plants. It is believed that the Siddha’s (ancient medicine men) lived, researched and meditated here in the caves inside the sacred groves. Many adventurous men go on trekking expeditions, to the caves where the Siddha’s lived. The caves of Bogar and Agastya are situated near the Agaya Gangai waterfalls, while Korakka Siddha and Kalaanginatha Siddhais deep inside the forest area after 2-3 hrs of steep down trekking along the forest stream.

Semmedu

Semmedu also has a statue-memorial to the King Valvil Ori, and is the venue of the Valvil Ori Tourism Festival in August. The festival is primarily a cultural event, which had its origin in the traditional Adi festival when people from all the 16 villages in Ori’s kingdom came together and danced, sang and feasted in praise of their deities and king.

Vaasaloorpatti

Another village on the way is Vaasaloorpatti, where the Government Fruit Farm is located. It is a beautiful place where paddy (the traditional quick-yielding dwarf variety indigenous to this region) is cultivated in the valley and a variety of hybrid and native fruits such as banana, jackfruit, oranges, coffee, pepper and spices are grown on the slopes here.

Not to be missed on the way to Vaasaloorpatti from Semmedu is the TAMPCOL Medicinal Farm at Vaalavandi Nadu, run by the Tamil Nadu government. The farm is surely worth visiting, as Kolli Hills is perhaps better known for its medicinal plants than anything else. A wide variety of medicinal plants and herbs used in Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani medicine are nurtured, cultivated, gathered and sent from here.

Selur Viewpoint

One of the highest points in the hills is Selur Nadu, which is believed to be the place where King Pari, another generous Tamil King, gave away his chariot as support to the helpless jasmine creeper. An ancient culvert can also be seen here.

The long and winding road from Semmedu to Selur Nadu is dotted with beautiful scenery. Banana and coffee plantations with their red and green coffee berries glistening in the sun, tall silver oak trees with glossy pepper leaves wrapped around, guava and orange trees laden with fruit and a host of other tropical plants typical of this region, are a feast to the eye.

Solakkadu

The drive up the hill will take you to Solakkadu, the main town here, which is also one of the highest points in the hills. The viewpoint inside the Highways Bungalow compound is worth visiting, as one can have a spectacular view of the surrounding hills and plains from here.

Under the foot hills of the Kolli Hills many small and big towns exist. From these places the Kolli Hills is visible in a panoramic view and the climatic conditions of these places are influenced by the climatic conditions of the Kolli Hills.