Yercaud is a hill station in Salem district of Tamilnadu state. Yercaud is derived from 2 names Yeri and Kaadu. Yeri Means Lake and Kaadu means Forest. This is located 1515meters above the sea level. Other name of Yercaud is Jewel of the destination. As it is less commercialised place, this is also known as Poor Man’s Ooty. Servarayan Range is the highest peak in Yercaud. This place is famous for orange groves and coffee plantation. On this hill station large variety of rare plants can be seen. This hill is a home town to several wild animals. Few animals are Swallow, Kite, Sparrow, Snake, Partridge, Mongoose etc…
What to see in Yercaud:
Yercaud Lake: Trees and Gardens are surrounded to Yercaud Lake. Boating is the major attraction in this lake.
Bear’s cave: It is located in the private coffee estate.These caves are situated 7 feet below the ground level. Visitors can see this while they were reaching to Servarayan Temple.
National Orchidarium and Botanical Gardens: This is third largest Orchidarium in India. In this garden more than 4000 species of plants can be seen. Apart from these varieties, huge varieties of orchids are also most attractive in this garden. It was established in 1963.
Pagoda Point: To form a pyramid shape 4 pills are arranged in this place. Local tribes built this place. Now Rama Temple can be seen here. Best time to see this place is during the night times or in the early morning hours.
Silk Farm: These farms explain about how silk garments manufactured. Entire life cycle of silk worms can be seen here.
Lady’s Seat: This is rock in the form of seat. Other attractions near this place are Children Seat and Gent’s seat.
Fairholme Cottage: Earlier this was a Colonial bungalow but now it is converted into Hotel.
What to see around Yercaud:
Kiliyur Falls: Trekking is the major attraction in these falls. It is located 3kms away from Yercaud.
Servarayan Temple: Lord Servarayan and Goddess Parvati are worshipped in this temple. Temple is located on Servarayan Hill which is 6kms away from Yercaud. This temple is narrow dark cave.
Anna Park: It is located just 1km away from Yercaud. This is most attractive place for the children. Inside the park Japanese Garden is located.
Namakkal: Major attractions in this place are fort on the hillock and rock cut cave temples. Temples belongs to Narashimhasway and Ranganathaswamy. In the Ranganathaswamy temple, huge Hanuman statue is worth seeing which 20feet height.
Salem: It is located 28kms away from Yercaud. Plenty of industries and temples are located here.
The Grange: It is located just 1km away from Yercaud. This was used as a summer resort by Robert Clive of East India Company. It was built by MD Cockburn in 1820.
Getting to Yercaud: Only way to reach this place is though Roadway. From the cities such as Salem, Chennai buses are available to reach this place. Nearest railway station is Salem Junction which is 30kms away from Yercaud. Trichy Airport is the nearest airport to Yercaud which is 163kms from Yercaud.
Getting around Yercaud: Cycles, Cars, Autos and cabs are available to visit the places surrounding to Yercaud.
Best time to visit Yercaud: Best time to visit this place is between May to October.
Where to stay in Yercaud: Budget, midrange and luxury hotels are available to stay in Yercaud. But there are very limited. Few guesthouses are available to stay. These are maintaining by Christian Missionaries
Where to eat in Yercaud: Limited restaurants are available but all the restaurants serve both vegetarian and non vegetarian food. Most famous food is Mutta Bonda, Fried Dumplings Egg, and Mulaga Bhajji.