KOLLIMALAI - A TREASURE OF SOUTH INDIA

Located in the Eastern Ghats, Kollimalai is a mountain range close to Namakkal and Salem.Unlike Ooty and Kodaikanal, Kolli hills are not thronged by the tourists during summer season as this place still remains undiscovered for many of them. Naturally, this place gives a much peaceful atmosphere and makes us feel one with nature when visited. So the wait is over, people pack your bags and head to Kollimalai to enjoy the true essence of nature's love.

 (Above/below: Ghat road-Enroute Kollimalai)

Histoty:
 Kollimalai is said to be very rich in medicinal plants and herbs and the range still continues to be the rich source of them till date. Many villagers living here in Kollimalai state that only lucky people with the grace of god get to come to Kolli hills as it was once the place where Siddhars and rishi's lived protecting the Kollimalai's rich life saving  herbs. It is still believed that the siddhars live here and protect them.

Road Route to Kollimalai:
* From Chennai take the NH-45 road and travel uptill Ulundurpet.

* From Ulundurpet take the SALEM-ULUNDURPET ROAD and travel till Attur.

* From Attur take SH-79, pass through Namagiripettai and reach Seerapalli.

* From Seerapalli take left turn and travel for approximately 7km and then take another left turn to catch SH-95. Continue straight in SH-95 for another 7-8km and you reach Kalapanayakanpatti.

* From Kalapanayakanpatti, take the left turn to catch the hair-pin bend road (kolli hills road) and proceed to reach Kollimalai.

Rail route:

For the people coming by train, get down at Salem, travel through NH-7 and take a left turn to catch the Sendamangalam-pudansandai road. Travel for another 8km approx and take a left turn to catch the SH-95. Now travel for another 3km approx, and take the first right cut to catch the Hair-pin bend road. People coming from Salem and down south, need not travel upto Kalapanayakanpatti as you have a deviation to kolli hills, much before.

TOURIST SPOTS:

• Aakasha Ganga waterfalls
• Arapaleeswarar temple 
• Maasila waterfalls
• Kolli pavai temple
• Seekuparai view point
• Selur nadu view point
• Vaasalurpatti boating

Aakasha Ganga waterfalls: The waterfalls is truly like the Ganges river from the sky. All those who have visited this spot shall not deny this fact. The river that flows here is the Panchanathi and it flows down from a height of  300feet to form the Aakash ganga waterfalls. One real exciting fact is that we can take bath in this waterfalls that falls from this supreme height. 

 (Above/below: Full view of Aakasha Ganga waterfalls)

To reach this waterfalls, we have to descend (climb down) nearly 1100 steps. But the steps and the route are well laid and it is completely maintained by the forest officials. The route goes amidst the thick forest and so the route is shady and chill throughout. One important thing to 

remember is that to reach the waterfalls, the tourists must be in the spot by 4pm as after that the officials strictly restrict anyone getting down the steps.

(Above/below: View of the steps to reach the waterfalls)

(Tourists having a superb bath in the falls)

The only lazy part in this trek is that after having a gaala time in the falls, one has to climbup again the whole 1000 steps to reach the parking area, which may be quite tiresome for some people. But i assure you that it is a lifetime trekking experience and it is throughly enjoyable.


Arapaleeswarar temple: This temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is exactly in the spot where we start our trek down to Aakasha Ganga waterfalls. The temple belongs to the 2nd century and was said to be built by Valvil Oori king. Like all our other temples here too we can find some stone inscriptions. This is a very cute, small temple typical to any hill station. This is one of the 275 Padal Petra Stalams, glorified by the hymns of Nayanmars.

(Entrance to the temple)

(The whole view of the temple)

Maasila waterfalls: This is comparatively a small waterfalls and the height is quite lesser. There is a small trail (concrete path) few meters the tourists have to walk to reach this spot. A bath in this cascade refreshes you.

(A distant view of the Maasila waterfalls)


(Tourists taking bath in the cascade)

Kolli pavai temple: This temple is very small and is dedicated to godess of the kolli forest called Kolli pavai. She is said to be the protector of the Kolli hills. This temple is amidst the fields (mountain cultivation) and is in a different environment. 


Seekuparai and Selurnadu viewpoints: These 2 viewpoints here in Kolli hills are very picturesque and give steep breathtaking views of the nearby valleys. The viewpoints are very well approachable by road.

                         

(Selurnadu viewpoint)

(Tourists climbing the watchtower to have view, Seekuparai)

Vaasalurpatti boating: This boathouse is a vital tourist spot in Kollimalai. The lake is quite small and there is a natural island in the middle of the lake. A small park has been developed here in this island. As such there are 4-5 pedalling boats available for the tourists to have a ride in this small lake. The boathouse is on the Solakkadu-Thinnanurpatty road in Kollimalai.

(Boats ready to be boarded in Vaasalurpatti)

(The calm pristine lake)

(The middle island view in vaasalurpatti boating)

Accomodation in Kollimalai

There are quite few hotels available for the tourists to stay in Kolli hills. Having visited the place twice, i would recomend the following 2 hotels.
Family accomodation: PA lodge (PA Holiday Inn) is the best. Individual cottages are available here for staying. The resort is extremely serene and has a large Eucalyptus farm. There is also an open ground available for the tourists to play badminton, volleyball and few such games. We can also have a long walk in trail inside the resort that gives an exact forest trek feel. Tariff: Rs. 1000 onwards.
For bigger group accomodation (10-15 or more): Nallathambi resort is a better option. Here also there are landscaped gardens and ample rooms and cottages available for accomodation. Tariff: Rs. 500 onwards.

(Nallathambi resort campus)

(The cottage we stayed)

Note

• Food is available in both the resorts and it is better to have food in the hotels where we stay as there are no proper restaurants available in Kollimalai as of now during the sightseeing. 
• In Kolli hills except for Vodafone and BSNL no other cell phone towers are available. So people using other cell phone operators kindly make sure of this point.