Yercaud: A visit to Poor Man's Ooty
As the summers arrive, everyone starts looking for an escape from the scorching heat that scourges them. The best way to get away from the ever-increasing hot waves is by spending your leisure time in the hills. India, being fortunate enough, has been blessed with several hills and hill stations that offer you cool and breezy weather where you can just relax and rejuvenate!
However, time and again, the cash crunch makes it difficult for a general wayfarer to visit any hill stations. Nonetheless, this often prevents them from receiving the much-required relaxation that they look forward to, absconding from the noise and rush of the cities.
Advantageously, there are Hill stations that are much more reasonable but offer the same ambiance as any other expensive hill stations.
Yercaud, one of the jewels of Tamil Nadu is a living example of such Hill situated town that are hospitable yet are least expensive. For this reason, Yervaus has been often titled Poor Man's Ooty.
Let's dive more into knowing about this hidden gem of the southern state!
About Yercaud
Situated at a height of 5326 ft Shevaroyan ranges of the Eastern Ghat, Yercaud is India's one of the least expensive hill stations. The name is Yercaud comes from the Tamilian term "yeri" meaning lake and "Kadu" which means forest. It is believed that the town has been named after the natural elements it has been blessed with. The big emerald lake amidst the lush forests at a height of 1500 meters above sea level makes it a perfect site for visitors.
Talking about their residents, they belong to the tribal communities known as Vellalas or Malayalis which means hill men. They engage with the tourists with utmost generosity. Apart from tourism, They generate their source of income from agriculture as the town is rich in coffee, spices, and fruit plantations.
Places to wander in Yercaud
As dreamy as it sounds, Yervaud has been blessed with abundant natural features that are sure to blow your mind. Let's look at those spots in brief.
1. Yercaud Lake
Also known as the Emerald Lake, This naturally formed lake is one of the prominent sightseeing locations in Yercaud. The lake is surrounded by hills enclosing it from three sides, on the other side there is a garden that adds beauty to the banks of the lake. Tourists can also go boating in the lake. Tourists can avail of Motor, row, self-pedaling, and self-rowing boats. However, make sure to visit the spot before 5 pm as it is restricted to visit it after sunset.
