GETAWAYS

TAKE A BREAK, MAKE MEMORIES Kodaikanal, Pollachi, Valparai, Wayanad, Mysore...

If you’ve never been to these places around Coimbatore, you have not met the right tour guide. There’s the Crocodile Farm in Amravathi

Dam that is worth a visit, especially by animal lovers. You could go for an adventurous stay in the many tree houses in Annamalai Wildlife Sanctuary.

If you are a fan of hilly climes, nothing like Valparai and its streams, waterfalls, and dense forests. And of course, the Queen of Hills, Ooty which is a must-visit hill station on any South side itinerary. Make a trip here during April to June and don’t forget to watch the annual flower show at its terraced Botanical Gardens. The list is endless... read on.

POLLACHI

At a distance of 40 km away from Coimbatore lies Pollachi. It is the second commercial centre of Coimbatore district. The Mariamman temples and Subramanya temples are famous here. The five-hooded cobra, a Yali with a chain inside its mouth and the Zodiac signs are some of the sculptures in the temple stones. Distance — 40 Km TTDC — 230-3176 Best time to visit — MAY-Jan.

TIRUPUR

This is a textile city. Hosiery centres are aplenty in this city. Just 50 km from Coimbatore, T-shirts and other banian materials are stitched here and sold overseas. There are thousands of banian textiles in Tiruppur. This is the place where the great Kumaran, who fought for the country’s freedom, lived. He died holding the national flag in his hands. Distance — 50 Km TTDC — 230-3176 Best time to visit — all through the year

METTUPALAYAM

This small town is just placed at the foot hills of the Nilgiris. It is about 52 km from Coimbatore. The unique railway line between Mettupalyam and Ooty is adventurous and joyous as it passes through green hills, tea plantations and forests. Distance — 52 Km TTDC — 2303176 Best time to visit — Dec-Mar

MONKEY FALLS

This is a wonderful waterfall that is located just some 65 kms from Coimbatore enroute to Valparai. Many tourists visit these falls on the way to Valparai, the queen of Annamalai Hills. Distance — 65 Km TTDC — 230-3176 Best time to visit - Oct-MAY

PARAMBIKULAM-ALIYAR

The place is known for the Aazhiyaar dam, situated 24 km from Pollachi and 84 kms from Kovai. The Aazhiyaar dam was built during the period of 1959 to 1969 on the banks of the river Aazhiyaar. The ultimate objective of constructing this dam is irrigation and power generation. The dam comprises several small dams that are interlinked with tunnels and canals for restraining the rivers, Aliyar, Sholiyar, Nirar, Thunakadavu, Parambikulam, Thekkadi and Palar. The Aazhiyaar dam is an excellent illustration for engineering masterwork. The dam stands tall at 81 metres and makes for a great picnic spot. Timings: 9am-6pm; Tel: 661-1268. Distance — 84 Km TTDC — 230-3176 Best time to visit — Oct-Mar

BANNARI

This town is 83 km from Coimbatore and 10 km from Bhavanisagar. Large numbers of devotees come to the famous Mariamman temple located here. The town is near the Western Ghats known for its massive, thick forests. Distance — 83 km and 10 km from Bhavanisagar. TTDC — 230-3176. Best time to visit — Oct-Mar

BARALIKADU ECO TOURISM

Organised by Forest Department, this promises to be a fantastic one-day tour experience. The package includes a coracle boat ride in Piloor Dam, followed by a traditional adivasi lunch by tribal women along with welcome drink, trekking along the Athikadavu river and a river bath. Start from Coimbatore at7.30am and reach back by 7pm. Book in advance with the Forest Officer. Trips only on weekends and public holidays, excluding festival holidays. Route – Coimbatore-Karamadai-VelliankaduAthikkadavu-Baralikadu Distance from Coimbatore – 70 km Forest Dept – 0422-230-2925, 90470-51011 Best time to visit – All through the year

VALPARAI BANDIPUR NATIONAL PARK

Rolling greens are a highlight of this choicest spot in the Annamalai range of 56 estates. A fine picnic spot, Valparai is the head of all these estates. Only 102 kms from Coimbatore, the main plantation here is tea. Dotted all over are several waterfalls, streams, dams and dense forests. One can travel to Kerala from Valparai through the mountain road. Distance —102 Km TTDC — 230-3176 Best time to visit — Sep-MAY

KOTAGIRI

This hill station lies in the Nilgiris. This is 105 km from Coimbatore and 28 km from Ooty. This is the ancient and the oldest hill resort of the Nilgiris hills. The British started their building activities early in 1819. This place too is surrounded by tea plantations. Distance — 105 Km TTDC — 230-3176 Best time to Visit — all through the year

BHAVANI

This sacred and holy pilgrim town is 121 km from Coimbatore. It is known as the Triveni of South India. There is a famous temple namely Sangameshwarer Temple at the junction of rivers, Cauvery and Bhavani. This is dedicated to Lord Sangameshwarer and his better half, Vedanayaki. The British Collector William Garrow who was in Coimbatore and Salem districts during the reign of the British East India Company, had his office centre at Bhavani. He worshipped Goddess Vedanayaki. Distance — 121 Km TTDC — 230-3176 Best time to visit — all through the year

YERCAUD

Yercaud is a popularly known hill station near Salem in Tamil Nadu that is 1,500 metres (4,920 feet) above the sea level.Known for coffee plantations and orange groves, it has an orchidarium run by the Botanical Survey of India. A summer festival is held during the middle of NOVEMBERevery year, which includes a seven-day exhibition of flower shows, dog shows, boating races and a fair. Distance — 137 Km Location — Sheveroy Hills of North-Central of Tamil Nadu TTDC — 044-2536-8358, 2538-3333/4444 Best time to visit — Feb-Jun & Sept-Nov Bandipur National Park is one of India’s best known sanctuaries at the foothills of the Western Ghats. It is home to around seventy tigers and over three thousand Asian elephants along with leopards, dholes, gaur and sloth bears. The best time to visit is throughout the year, but preferably in the monsoon when wildlife is plenty and forest is green. Distance — 133.9 Km Location — Forests of Mudumalai KSTDC — 080-2227-5869

Deputy Conservator of Forests,

Bandipur — 08229- 236021/043 Best time to visit — Mar-Jun & Sept-Nov

MUDUMALAI

The Mudumalai National Park lies on the northwestern side of the Nilgiri Hills (Blue Mountains), in Nilgiri District, about 123 km north-west of Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. Places to visit include the Elephant Feeding Camp, Moyar River, Kallatty falls and Pykara Lake. You could also go on Elephant Safari and Van Safari conducted by Tamilnadu forest department. Distance — 123 Km Location — Northern Nilgiris Forest Ranger — 0423-2444098 Tourist Centre — 080- 2228-6181 Best Time to Visit — Feb-Jun

SRIRANGAPATNA

The town is famous for an ancient temple of Lord Vishnu. Other attractions include the Jumma Masjid (a Mosque) and the Daria Daulat Gardens. Near Srirangapattana is the Rangantittu Bird Sanctuary, the breeding site for several species. The summer palace of Tipu Sultan is nearby. Located 27 km upstream is the spectacular Sivasamudra Falls, the second biggest waterfall in India and the sixteenth largest in the world. Distance — 220 Km Location — On the banks of Cauvery, 12 kms from MysoreKSTDC — 08236217454/55, 93410-22209, 2227-5869 Best time to visit — Oct-Mar

SHIVANASAMUDRAM

It boasts of the picturesque waterfalls, the Ganganchukki and the Barachukki that cascade down 90 metres. These falls are the source of Asia’s first Hydro Electric Power Station called Shimsa. In full splendour during Location — Skirts the Cauvery wild life Best time to visit — Jul-Sept

MYSORE

It receives the maximum number of tourists during the 10-day Dasara festival in MAY-MAY. One of the most visited monuments in India is the Ambavilas Palace (also known as Mysore Palace). The Jaganmohana Palace, the Jayalakshmi Vilas and the Lalitha Mahal are the others. The Mysore Zoo and the Karanji and Kukkarahalli lakes are popular hotspots. The city is also a centre for yoga-related health tourism. A short distance away is the Krishnarajasagar Dam and the adjoining Brindavan Gardens where a musical fountain show is held every evening. Places of historic importance lying close to Mysore are Srirangapatna, Somanathapura and Talakad. The hills, B R Hills and Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta and the hill stations of Ooty and Madikeri are all near Mysore. Popular destinations for wildlife enthusiasts near Mysore include the National Parks at Bandipur and Nagarhole, the wildlife sanctuaries at Melkote and B R Hills and the bird sanctuaries at Ranganathittu and Kokrebellur. Other tourist spots near Mysore include the religious locations of Nanjanagud and Bylakuppe and the waterfalls at Shivanasamudra. Distance — 204 Km KSTDC — 0821-2423652, 2425349 Regional Tourist office — 0821–2422096 Best time to visit — Oct-Mar

NOVEMBERand MAY. Distance — 202.7 Km sanctuary Travel by private vehicle

WAYANAD

This unspoilt expanse of virgin rainforests in the Western Ghats in northeastern Kerala and south of Coorg is famous for its misty environs and offers a wide range of trekking opportunities, plantation visits and wildlife. tours. Distance — 207 Km Location —Western ghats Kerala Tourism Information Office — 0493-2602134 Best time to visit — Oct-MAY

YELAGIRI HILLS

Great for easy-paced, relaxed weekends; this is an ideal getaway. You can do trekking, go on long nature walks or indulge in some leisurely boating. Some of the tourist attractions include Punganoor Artificial Lake-cum-Park, Jalagamparai waterfalls, Swamimalai (the highest peak in the area), Murugan Koil temple and Telescope House. NOVEMBERand NOVEMBEReach year is the time for a Summer festival at Yelagiri Hills. Distance — 252 Km Location — Near Jolarpet station Tourist Centre, Govt of Tamil Nadu — 080-22286181 Chennai office — 044- 2536-8358 Best time to visit — Nov-Feb

NAGARHOLE

The enchanting 247 square-mile park in the Coffee land of Coorg boasts of huge herds of Asian Elephants, marsh crocodiles, monitor lizards, rock pythons, aquatic and terrestrial tortoises, frogs, toads and tree frogs and a myriad insects, including some very colourful butterflies. The best time to is between NOVEMBERand MAY. Location — Part of Nilgiri biosphere reserve. Tourist/booking offices Distance — 284 Km KSTDC — 080- 2227-5869 Range Forest officer 08274-246331, 94292-16062 Deputy Conservator of Forest — 08222-252041 Chief wildlife Warden — 080- 2334-1993 Best time to visit — Oct-NOVEMBER

HAMPI

Listed as a World Heritage Site, the city of ruins is home to over 500 monuments, each with a story behind it. The other tourism hotspots around Hampi include Anegondi, Pampa Sarovar, Gagan Mahal, Hospet and the Tungabhadra Dam.

BELUR AND HALEBID

Located on the banks of the Yagachi River, Halebid and Belur are known for the Hoysala temples, which are world famous for their sculptures and architecture. The twin towns are about 16 km away from each other. The Belur and Halebid temples are cut from soft stone allowing for very intricate carvings on the walls. They are comparable to the Khajuraho temples of Madhya Pradesh. Distance — 268 Km Location — At the foothills of Western Ghat and 32 KMS from Hassan KSTDC — 08177-273224 Regional booking office — Halebid - 08172-268862 Best time to visit — Oct-Feb

Distance — 635.4 Km Location — Bellary district Department of tourism 08394-241339, 08394-228537 KSTDC — 2227-5869 Best time to visit — Oct-Mar

MAHABALIPURAM

Mahabalipuram has various historic monuments built largely between the 7th and the 9th century, and is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Distance — 484.8 Km Location — North Tamil Nadu coast Best time to visit — Oct-Mar

THIRUVANNAMALAI

This temple town in Tamil Nadu is a pit stop for spiritual awakening in the multi-lingual map of south India. The town brings together pilgrims, peace-seekers and tourists from around the world. Frozen in time, the holy hill of Arunachal and the ancient temple of Sri Arunachaleswara reside majestically in Tiruvannamalai. Many believe that the Supreme Being, Lord Shiva, has manifested his knowledge in the form of the hill. This Holy Spirit, said to permeate every inch of the town, can be felt with each step in every direction. It is said that goddess Parvati undertook the 14 km NOVEMBERaround the hill bare-foot to repent her sins. After being forgiven by Lord Siva, she disappeared into Arunachal Hill. Distance — 335.8 Km Location — Beyond Krishnagiri. Directorate of Tourism, Tamil Nadu — 044-24321694;

Tamil Nadu Tourism Development

Corporation — 044-28547335 Best time to visit — Oct-Mar

PONDICHERRY

The Union Territory of Pudhucherry (earlier Pondicherry) exudes a charming picture of a quaint French town with its neat, cobbled streets, elegant houses, policemen with red

kepis, quaint signboards, statues of Dupleix and Joan of Arc and pretty gardens. The Aurobindo Ashram founded by Sri Aurobindo in 1926, and Auroville (10 km) draw people from all over the world. Distance — 384.4 Km Location — Bay of Bengal Pondicherry Tourism office — 0143-2339497, 2330532 Best time to visit — Oct-Mar

MEENAKSHI AMMAN TEMPLE

A historic Hindu temple dedicated to Parvati, known as Meenakshi, and her consort Shiva. The temple with an estimated 33,000 sculptures forms the heart and lifeline of the 2,500 year old city of Madurai. It is the most prominent landmark and most visited tourist attraction in the city. The annual 10-day Meenakshi Tirukalyanam festival, celebrated during NOVEMBERand MAY, attracts 1 million visitors. Best time to visit— Oct-Mar Distance — 213.5 km, about 4.5 hours by road, TTDC— 0452-233-7471

Tel: 0452-234-4360 District— Madurai

PALANI

This is a pilgrim centre and is one of the six places of Lord Subramanya. It is situated at an altitude of 140 m. The presiding deity is Sri Dandayuthapani. The idol in the shrine is made out of medicinal herbs and shrubs. A large number of pilgrims visit through the year. Located 107 kms from the city, a drive to Palani takes a little over two hours by car. Distance — 111 Km 2.42 hours by car. TTDC — 230-3176. Best time to visit — Sep-Mar