Kolli Hills - Majestic Hill Station

A pristine mountain range on the eastern ghats in an ever-so-pleasant altitude ranging from 1000 to 1300 meters above sea level, Kolli hills is a destination offbeat and worth the effort. The hill range is relatively untouched by human activities and thereby retaining its natural beauty. Much of the charm of this hill station still remains a mystery. The Mountain is named after the Goddess Ettukai Amman (Kolli Paavai). According to the legends, the sages around this region chose Kolli hills to do peaceful penance. However, the demons invaded the hills to disrupt the penance when the sages were in their rituals. The sages made a complaint to Kollipavai, who chased away the demons accordingly. This is the hill station with the most number of hairpin bends (70), taking a drive little more than fifteen kilometres.

The drive itself gives a halfway satisfaction of the visit. Perhaps the biggest attraction in Kolli hills from a tourist point of view is the spectacular Agaya Gangai waterfalls and the nearby Arapaleeswarar temple. This falls measures upto 300 feet with around 1000 steps descending to the base is an adventure for the trekkers. With a rich culture and historical significance going back to the 1st century CE, the Arapaleeswarar temple was built by the ruler Valvil Ori. Dedicated to lord Shiva, this temple stands majestic to the Dravidian architecture. With very few options for the overnight stay, it is better to have a day trip and back. The nearest destinations for the hotel options to do the excursion could be Namakkal, Trichy and Salem.