Things to do in Yelagiri

Yelagiri is located at a distance of 228 kilometers from Chennai. Many buses, as well as trains, ply regularly to Yelagiri from the city. A train journey can be taken up until Jolarpettai, which is the nearest railway station. Thereafter, visitors can hire a cab. On the other hand, buses run with good frequency and are also the cheapest mode of transportation.

1. By Bus: Regular buses ply between Jolarpet, Salem, Hosur and Tirupattur. KSRTC buses have regular frequency to Yelagiri. Moreover, there are buses running from nearby cities as well.

2. By Train: Trains to Yelagiri are easily available from Jolarpettai station. Regular trains to Yelagiri also run from most cities of India.

3. By Flight: Yelagiri does not have a separate airport of its own. One has to fly to Bangalore or Chennai airport and thereafter take a train or bus journey further ahead to Yelagiri.

Being a hill station, Yelagiri has a pleasant, cool climate throughout the year. It does not get very hot or humid anytime. The summer months of mid-March to May have clear skies and decent weather conditions. Around the months of May and June, tourists flock here to experience the summer festival and also because of vacation in most schools and colleges.

July and September experience slight rains and make the climate foggy; while winter months of mid-October to February can be considered as the best time to be here. During winters, the region blooms into its true colours and appears very scenic.

A two to three days trip to Yelagiri is an ideal duration for a holiday here. Yelagiri is located at a distance of just 160 kilometers from the city of Bangalore and is 228 kilometers from Chennai city. Thus the hill station serves as being a good weekend destination as well for the folks of these two cities.

For tourists coming from far off places, a maximum of a week is an ideal time. This time can be spent by carrying out various adventure activities to do in Yelagiri such as trekking to Swamimalai hills as well as relaxing at tourist destinations like Nature Park. This way, one can maintain a balance of engaging in outdoor activities as well as getting some time for relaxation. 

Yes, Yelagiri is a great holiday destination for a family vacation. The hill station is nestled amongst beautiful hills and offers scenic views with an abundance of greenery. There are several things to do in Yelagiri of family interest. Like visiting waterfalls and temples, parks and picnic spots.

There are also several other Yelagiri things to do for kids and young members of the family. One of these is trekking to Swamimalai hill, one of the highest peaks in the region.

The hill station of Yelagiri attracts tourists for a number of reasons. Firstly, the destination is set amidst the hills and thus provides great views of the same. The landscapes here are filled with greenery and manage to draw the attention of every nature lover. Other than this, Yelagiri is also very popular for providing tourists the opportunity to engage in a number of adventure activities. A few of these include trekking, rock climbing, paragliding.

Lastly, the pleasant weather throughout the year makes the hill station a famous pick for tourists to visit anytime.

To get an authentic cultural impression of the place, many tourists choose to stay at homestays in Yelagiri rather than hotels or resorts. Yelagiri has quite a few options for visitors looking for such homely experiences. Some of these really comfortable homestays in Yelagiri are listed below-

1. Athulya Homestay - This property is a three bedroom homestay with a mini swimming pool with an outdoor garden to simply relax at, sipping some tea! The homestay also has arrangements for a fire camp and food from third parties for large groups of guests.

2. Peter's Park - This colony has a total of 15 independent cottages for guests to stay at. It is a great pick for somebody looking for a long stay of 10 to 15 days. The cottages provide the feel of being a home away from away with complete privacy and homely amenities.

3. Sai and Shreeya’s Holiday Cottage - With a peaceful setting, this cottage is located around farms and a lake. It has a terrace and outdoor space for groups of guests to relax or enjoy outdoor games, activities at. The terrace of the cottage offers mesmerising views of the sunrise. What better way to start the day!

4. Happy Hills Homestay - A simple homestay, this property makes sure to take care of all the basic needs. It has a caretaker, free Wifi, parking, power back up and house keeping.

Yelagiri may not be the best shopping destination but it surely is a great place for foodies. The hill station has numerous restaurants and eateries that have a number of options on their menu. Some of these best-serving restaurants are-

1. Nilgress Restaurant - Perhaps the most popular restaurant in Yelagiri, this one is a favourite of locals and tourists alike. One can go here for simple, vegetarian food to enjoy Indian and Asian cuisines.

2. Food Corner - Another option for vegetarian food, this eatery serves Indian and Asian dishes. The place is well maintained and the serving is hygienic.

3. Sai Sangeet - One of its kind in the area, Sai Sangeet serves vegetarian food. It also serves vegan food and gluten-free options which is rare to find in and around Yelagiri. Tourists looking for Indian and Asian cuisine must visit this place located on the highway.

Yelagiri is quite a small and less populated hill station. The village does not have many options for public transportation for tourists to get around. There are local bus services that run in the city. However, they don’t ply between all the places.

The best way to get around Yelagiri is on foot or to hire a private cab.

The local cuisine of Yelagiri comprises of the traditional South Indian dishes, mainly rice-based ones. The vegetable curries are garnished in coconut and eaten with rice by the locals. Thus, anybody looking for an authentic experience can try the same. These dishes can be tasted at almost all South Indian cuisine serving restaurants in Yelagiri.

Nilgress Restaurant, Food Corner and Sai Sangeet to mention a few. When here, tourists must also try Payasum and Jangiri which are sweets that Yelagiri is famous for.

One of the most popular things to do in Yelagiri is Paragliding. People across South India come to Yelagiri for paragliding experience as it is considered to be one of the best in terms of both - safety and scenic beauty. Paragliding here can be experienced at Yelagiri Adventure Sports Association who promotes and organises this activity at their site.

1. Velavan Temple: Dedicated to Lord Murugan, Velavan temple invites many devotees of Lord Murugan. It also houses idols of both Lord Ganesha and Gadothgajan which is quite rare. The temple is beautifully located with views of the surrounding hills.

2. Jalagandeeswarar Temple: Another temple dedicated to Lord Murugan, Jalagandeeswar Temple is situated atop one of the highest peaks of the region. Thus, it is a viewpoint for viewing the huge plains that lie on the base of the hill.

3. Moksha Vimochana Temple: Moksha Vimochana means to attain Moksha or Nirvana. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and has a belief associated with it. It is said that if any devotee prays at this temple for more than 42 days, then one frees himself from his past sins.