Meghamalai

If you are looking for calm and tranquil get away then Meghamalai's your answer. Popularly called as High Wavy Mountains, it offers gorgeous views of lush green mountains, deep valleys, dense forests, tea estates, cardamom plantations, lakes etc.

It is situated in the Western Ghats in Theni district of Tamilnadu state at an altitude 1,500 metres above sea level. It is about 500 kilometers from Bangalore as well as Chennai and 130 kms from Madurai.

The name 'Meghamalai' literally means 'hills covered with clouds'. An ideal weekend getaway to unwind near the city, 18 Hair Pin Bends are leads to the Megamalai. The drive from Chinnamanur to Meghamalai is really a breathtaking. But be careful as the road has no safety pillars and brigades.

The six thousand acres hills is surrounded by forest on all sides. It has several unpolluted tourists attractions including lakes and rivers and dense forest. Meghamalai hills are the originating point of river Suruli.The British had opened up Meghamalai for the cultivation of tea in the high ranges of Meghamalai way back in 1930's. One can see full of tea estates and cardamom plantations which is sitll unexplored by tourists. Its long winding roads through the these plantations is an ideal for walks. Meghamalai The Highways, Manalaar and Cloudlands are the three largest tea estates found here. The Highways share a border with the Periyar Tiger Reserve which contains number of exotic animals.

Besides these plantations, it is home to rare species of birds, flora and mammal life. Owing to its rich flora and fauna, the Tmil Nadu government has declared Meghamalai as a protected area. Wild Dog, Sambar Deer, Spotted Deer, Wild Gaurs and Elephants are found amidst thick vegetation. These can be seen more so within the Highways Group of Estates and near venniyar and Iravangalaru dam site. The Nilgiri Tahr, an endangered mountain goat can be seen at Meghamalai. There are more than 100 species of birds most of which can be seen near the Chinna Suruli Falls.

Besides its tea estates and waterfalls, Vellimalai (the silver mountain) is the major attraction of Meghamalai. Situated about 1,650 metres above sea level, it is the place where the Vaigai river originates. From here one can have the wonderful view of the entire range of Varusanadu Hills.

Suruli falls is located about 120 km from Madurai on the way to Thekkadi (Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary) via Uthamapalayam. The location of this cascade in a salubrious green and natural setting makes it a good picnic spot for domestic tourists. On the way, lot of grapes farms and greenery can be seen. Originating from the Meghamalai mountain range, the falls which drop in two stages from a height of 150 feet, gathers into a pool, flows for a short distance and again plummets to a depth of 40 feet. The waterfalls draws tourists from different parts of the state, particularly during the months of June to October. There are facilities for both men and women to bathe in the falls separately.

One can watch herd of Monkeys, but cautious, they will try to pull the traveler'sbelongings and foods. The place also serve as the venue of the annual Summer Festival, organized by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Department. The Kailasanathar Cave Temple at a height of 800 meters above Suruli falls is an added attraction of the place.

Meghamalai is home to six dams, including the Manalar dam from where one can view the Cumbam valley. Thoovanam dam is the source for suruli falls in Cumbum valley. Venniyar and Iravangalaru Dams, Echo Points, South Palani Murugan temple, bird’s eye view of Kadamalgaiundu, Goodalur, Cumbum, Mayilardumparai and Maharahamettu where the tourist can view vast catchments of the Thekkadi and the originating point of Suruli Falls are other star attractions.

Meghamalai surrounded by lot of other beautiful destinations like Kurangani, kazhugumalai hiking, Periyar tiger reserve and Thekkady. The best time to visit Meghamalai is between the months of October and March when the region is more cool and greenery.