KOLLI HILLS - TAMIL NADU
Kolli Hills or Kolli Malai is a small mountain range located in central Tamil Nadu and spread over the Namakkal district and Tiruchirapalli district of India. The mountains rise to 1300 m in height and cover an area of approximately 280 km2. It is situated at a distance of 43 km from Namakkal and 120 km from Trichy. They are part of the Eastern Ghats, a mountain range that runs mostly parallel to the east coast of southern India. Home to the Arapaleeswarar temple, the mountain is a site of pilgrimage, but the area is also popular with motorcycle enthusiasts because of the high-altitude motorable terrain with 70 hairpin bends.
Origin of the name- The Mountain is named Kolli Malai after the name of Goddess Etukkai Amman (also known as Kollipavai) guarding the hills with her divine protection.
Infrastructure- The Kolli hills became taluk and form a part of the Namakkal district. SemmAdu village is the headquarters for the Kolli Hills block and Semmedu is connected by road from Namakkal and Salem. Nowadays the Bus service is provided up to Arappaleeswarar Temple. BSNL (earlier DOT) established the first Telecommunication networks (LDPCO) in 1977 and afterwards the Telecom facilities are continuously expanded depending on the requirements at Kolli hills.
Farming- Apart from its historical significance, the mountains are covered with Tropical Moist Mixed evergreen forests, but increasing areas of forests have been cleared for farming. Farm products of the mountain ranges include black pepper, jackfruit, banana, pineapple, Oranges, Tapioca, and other spices. Rice and other minor millets (Foxtail, Finger Millet and Little Millet) form the staple food of the tribal people who inhabit these mountains. The jackfruit grown on these mountains is well known for its taste and fragrance and is often soaked in wild honey that is also harvested from these mountains.
Reserve forests- The mountains are covered by green vegetation in the spring and monsoon and are streaked with streams.[citation needed] There are three reserve forests that are controlled by the Government of Tamil Nadu, namely Ariyur Solai, Kundur Nadu, and Pulianjolai.
Religious significance- The mountain is a site of pilgrimage, because of the Arapaleeswarar temple, which is believed to have a secret path to the Shiva temple in Rasipuram. This Shiva temple is said to have been built by Valvil Ori in the 1st or 2nd century when he ruled this area. "Arappaleeswara sathakam" is a poem which praises Lord Arappaleeswarar. It is believed that this temple existed during the Sangam period itself.
According to legend, the Shiva linga in the temple was found when a farmer was ploughing his land. It is said that the farmer accidentally hit the Shiva linga while ploughing, and that led blood to ooze out of the statue. The small wound is said to be visible on the Shiva linga even today.
There is also a temple for Ettukai Amman or Kolli Pavai which is one of the oldest in the town and the place itself derives its name.
Tourism- Kolli Hills is visited by nature lovers, hikers, trekking clubs, tourists and meditation practitioners among hill stations in Tamil Nadu. Agaya Gangai is the waterfall situated near the Arappaleeswarar temple.
Surrounding places- Under the foothills of the Kolli Hills many small and big towns exist. From these places, the Kolli Hills are visible in a panoramic view and the climatic conditions of these places are influenced by the climatic conditions of the Kolli Hills. Following are the few Towns surrounding the Kolli Hills: Namakkal, Kalappanaickenpatti, Belukurichi, SingalandaPuram, Rasipuram, Namagiripettai, Thammampatti, Mullukurichi, Koppampatty, Thuraiyur, Puliancholai, Thathaiyangarpet, B Mettur and all these places are well connected by bus services.
People of Kolli Hills come down by foot with their produces to the foothills of Kolli Hills and they sell their products and go back after buying their required materials. This type of activity takes place in a few places like Karavalli, Belukurichi, Pavithram, Thammampatti, and Puliancholai. People from various surrounding places of Tamil Nadu come to Belukurichi to buy the products of Kolli Malai.
Flora and fauna- Forests here are rich and diverse. Higher up the slopes, patches of tropical evergreen forests occur and the Ariyur Shola is one such. These forests are home to several species of endemic trees and plants. Kolli hills are said to have the largest expanse of evergreen or shola forest cover anywhere in the entire Southern part of the Eastern Ghats. Several coffee plantations, fruit orchards and silver-oak estates occur in this region.
Wildlife such as Sloth bear, barking deer, slender loris, Indian pangolin, jackals, mongoose, palm civet and many reptiles including endemic species like the lizards Draco dussumieri, Varanus bengalensis, Calotes calories and rare, non-venomous snake of the family Uropeltidae including the recently discovered Uropeltis Rajendrani, Rhinophis Goweri, the endangered Python molurus and a number of birds such as Crested Serpent Eagle, Indian Grey Hornbill, laughing thrush are found in Kolli Hills. Among these lizards such as Hemiphyllodactylus kolliensis and Hemidactylus kolliensis are endemic only to Kolli Hills.
Elevation: 1,400 m
Mountain range: Eastern Ghats
Country: India
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KOLLI HILLS NAMAKKAL SELAM ERODE HONGENAKKAL TIRUPPUR OOTY COIMBATORE POLLACHI KARUR TIRUCHIRAPPALLI THANJAVUR NAGAPATTINAM CHIDAMBARAM PUDUCHERRY DINDIGUL MADURAI TOUR PACKAGES
HOW TO REACH KOLLI HILLS
BY AIR
The airport closest to Kolli Hills is at Trichy and is around 140 kilometres away from the hill range. Regular flights to Trichy are available from Chennai, which is connected to most major towns. From Trichy airport to Kolli Hills, a taxi ride is the safest and the most comfortable alternative.
BY TRAIN
The nearest railway station to Kolli Hills is Salem which is almost 90 kilometres from the Hills. Trichy station is also located in relatively close vicinity. Taxis from Salem or Trichy to Kolli Hills cost around Rs1200 on average.
BY BUS
Villupuram or Tiruvannamalai or Kanchipuram or Vellore to Kolli hills take buses towards Salem bus stand than from Salem we have 3 buses or take another 1-hour journey from Salem to Namakkal from Namakkal Bus stand 14 buses Available To kolli hills.
WHEN TO VISIT KOLLI HILLS
Summer
Summers are generally cool and temperate with the temperatures rarely going beyond 30°C. The minimum temperature during this time usually hovers around the 18°C mark. Summers see a lot of tourist activity here as people pay a visit to the hill station to escape from the scorching heat.
Monsoon
Kolli Hills receives heavy showers during the month of October, mostly from the North East monsoon. The months of June and July are largely rain-free saving for a few occasional showers. Many small streams and waterfalls get reinvigorated during this season, and the whole place bears a very pristine look.
Winter
Winter (December-February) sees temperatures ranging from 13°C to 18°C, thereby ensuring a rather chilly climate compared to other areas in Tamil Nadu. Visitors are advised to carry protective clothing if visiting during the winter. Occasional showers can also be expected during this season in Kolli Hills.
TOP PLACES TO VISIT IN KOLLI HILLS
- Namma falls
- Manila Falls
- Arrow Mansion
- Kolli Hill Forest
- Nainamalai Hills
- Kolli hill's hidden falls
- Puliyancholai Park
- Masi Periasamy Temple
- Ratnagiri Murugan Temple
- Aagaya Gangai water falls
- Arappaleeswarar Temple Padal Petra
- Seeku Parai View Point Kolli Hills
- Ettukai Amman Temple Kollipaavai
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN KOLLI HILLS
- Valval Home
- RJ Grand Resort
- Akshaya Residency
- Lotus Resorts & Inn
- Black Pepper Resorts
- PA Resort Kolli Hills
- NPS Lake View Resort
- Silverline Retreat Hotels
- RVR Rejoice Villa Resorts
- The Paradise Inn Resort
- Kolli Hills Resorts Family Rooms
- Mahendravanam’s VHM Resorts
WHERE TO EAT IN KOLLI HILLS
- Valli Hotel
- Jothi hotel
- Hotel Kurinji
- Best food
- AG Resort
- Selvi Hotel
- Amman Hotel
- Ariyurnadu
- R K T Hotel
- Radha Hotels
- Ela's Kitchen
- Amman king
- Manila Falls
- Kk browsers
- Arrow Mansion
- Pradeepa Hotel
- Chettinad Mess
- Madhu Resort
- Hotel Amudham
- PG Restaurant
- Manikanda Hotel
- Chettinad Mess
- Yuvaraj Mess
- Vinayaga hotel
HOMESTAY IN KOLLI HILLS
- Vilvam
- Oxycodone
- Sarah Hills
- Semmedu
- Kallal Resorts
- Nala Hotels
- Pinecrest
- Manila Falls
- Misty Breeze
- Gowtham
- Sai Ram Homestay
- Jai Sri Home Stays
- Garden Homestay
- Poongavanam Homestay
- Water Rock Homestay
- Franklin Yercaud Homestay
- Yercaud Homestays
- Paddy Homestay
- Anugrahaa Homestay
- Garden Wood Home Stays
- Ajith homestay
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT KOLLI HILLS
Q1-Why is Kolli Hills famous?
Ans. Kolli Hills is famous for its natural beauty. The following are the most popular attractions in Kolli Hills- Agaya Gangai Waterfalls, Arappaleeswar Temple, Boat House, Botanical Garden, View Points, Siddhar Caves, Selur Nadu, Tampcol Medicinal Farm, Mini Falls and many more.
Q2-Why is Kolli Hills called a mountain of Death?
Ans. Geographically, the Kolli hills are part of the Eastern Ghats. In literature records, these mountains are also referred to as 'Kolli Malai' or the 'Mountains of Death' because of the existence of an image called 'Kollippavai' on top of these hills.
Q3-Is Kolli Hills worth visiting?
Ans. it is worth climbing down the fall to see nature's beauty. it would be great if people keep it clean. Located adjacent to the arapaleeswarar temple, agaya Ganga waterfalls can easily claim to be among the top 5 waterfalls in India, based on the height of the fall.
Q4-Where are the Kolli Hills?
Ans. Kollimalai Hills is situated on the Eastern Ghats at an altitude of 1200 mts in the Namakkal District and are 45 km from Namakkal town. The Kollimalai Hills are known for medicinal herbs and plants that grow in abundance on the hill slopes.
Q5-Which is the best time to visit Kolli hills?
Ans. The best time to visit is March-June, during spring or August-December, and during autumn. The weather in Kolli Hills is generally pleasant. It is wise to avoid peak winter or monsoon months as the temperature gets quite cold in this mountainous terrain.
Q6-How many steps in Kollimalai Falls?
Ans. The main attraction of Kolli Hills. One has to climb down (and back) 1302 steps to reach the falls. The steps are steep and can get very tiring.
Q7-Who ruled Kolli hills?
Ans. The region was ruled by Valvil Ori around 200 CE, who is praised as one of the seven great philanthropists of ancient Tamil Nadu. His valour and marksmanship are sung by several poets, and his exploits are a popular part of folklore.
Q8-What was Valvil famous for?
Ans. King Valvil Ori ruled over Kolli Hills in 200 AD. He is known for his skill in using the bow and arrow. He is also known for his generosity and as a king who ruled without caste discrimination.
Q9-What is the meaning of Valvil Ori?
Ans. Valval Ori was a Tamil king and skilled archer, who ruled Kolli Hills region in present-day Tamil Nadu. He was one of the Tamil Kadai zhu vallal (Transl. 'Last Seven Patrons'). Politically he aligned with the Cholas and fought against the Cheras and Malaiyaman Thirumudi Kari.
