Though
Yercaud is not as popular and famous as other hill stations of Tamil
Nadu yet it is no less in natural beauty and charm. Yercaud is located
on the Shevaroy hills of the Eastern Ghats. Yercaud abounds in
extraordinary scenic beauty and a salubrious climate. As you drive
across the hills, you come across the coffee plantations and orange
groves, which make the environment more fragrant. If you want to spend
your vacations in a peaceful and serene environment, away from the
bustling crowds of much popular hill stations, then Yercaud is surely
the place for you. It is interesting to note that Yercaud got its name from the Yeri and Kaadu (Tamil words) meaning lake and forest respectively. Like many other hill stations in India, the British discovered Yercaud in the early 19th century. The British officers also introduced the coffee plantations here in Yercaud.
Prime Attractions at Yercaud
Yercaud Lake
The Yercaud Lake, a picturesque pool surrounded by gardens and trees, is one of the main attractions of Yercaud. You can enjoy boating at the Yercaud Lake. If you like to paddle the boat yourself then the paddling boats are a good option otherwise you also have the option of the boatman rowing it for you as you relax in the calm waters of the Lake.
Lady's Seat
Lady's seat is name given to a cluster of rocks on the south west side of Yercaud. There is a steep drop of about 200 feet below from this point. One gets a panoramic view of distant Salem and the winding road up.
Killiyur Falls
The Killiyur waterfall is located at a distance of about 3 km from the Yercaud Lake. The ideal time to visit the waterfall is immediately after the monsoons. You can see the surplus water from the Yercaud Lake and other points of the Shevaroy Hills fall deep into the Killiyur Valley below, making a 300 feet waterfall.
The Grange
The Grange is one of the oldest buildings in Yercaud, built in 1820's by the then District Collector of Salem, M D Cockburn.
Bear's Cave
The Bear's cave is situated near the Norton Bungalow on the way to Servarayan temple. It is an important tourist spot as it is considered one of the six abodes of Lord Subramanya.
The Servarayan Temple
The Servarayan temple is situated atop the Servarayan hill. The temple is a narrow and dark cave having the God Servarayan and the Goddess Kaveri inside, which the Shevaroy Hills and the Cauvery River. The local tribes celebrate their annual festival in the Servarayan temple during the month of May.
Climate of Yercaud
Yercaud has a moderate climate. Winters in Yercaud are fairly mild, which start in the month of September and ends in December. During winter, the nearby hills are covered by mist and look so beautiful. At Yercaud, the coffee bushes blossom in April and present a spectacular view to the visitors.
How to Reach Yercaud
By Air
The nearest airport from Yercaud is Trichy, 163 Km away. Other airports are Coimbatore or Bangalore. Coimbatore is 190 Km away from Yercaud. All of them are connected to Chennai/Madras, which has an international airport.
By Rail
The nearest Railway station is Salem Junction, 36 Km away from Yercaud. All southbound trains passing via Salem stop at Salem. Salem is very well linked to Cochin, Trivandrum, Erode and Mangalore by rail network.
By Road
Yercaud is about 30 Km away and an hour's drive from Salem. You can take a bus or taxi from Salem. Regular bus services both private and government run ply from Chennai and other important cities and towns.
