Sirumalai: Not as small as its name suggests

Sirumalai can be reached by travelling through a narrow road through the Ghats with 18 hairpin bends. The place is in a dense forest at an altitude of 1600 metres above sea level. Sirumalai is the equivalent of ‘Small Hill’ and is located on the Eastern Ghats, which has many high hills. This place is located in Dindigul District of Tamil Nadu. There are exotic flora and a large species of animals within the forest. The view from the 18th hairpin bend is picturesque with the view of the Saathiyaar river basin, Dindigul city and the Dindigul Rock Fort.

The history and importance of Sirumalai go back to ancient days. The place is found in the Ayurvedic medical books as a lot of herbs and plants that have been used as the remedy in Ayurveda and Siddha are available here. In fact, it is believed that the Siddha form of medicine was developed by sages a thousand years ago.

Sirumalai Hills

The place is mentioned in Silappadhikaram and it is believed that Kannagi stayed here on her way to Madurai.

Vellimalai view

Sirumalai is a reserved forest area and entry is restricted and permission need be obtained from the Forest Division officials in the place. Trees like rosewood and oak are found in plentiful in this place. Sirumalai forests are the home of bisons, bears, panthers, birds, barking deer and loris.

Sirumalai Loris

The inhabitants, mostly people from various tribes speak Tamil.

PLACES TO SEE

1. Annai Velankanni Church: The church is on a slope at the top of the hill. It is 2 km. from the nearest bus stop. The church is famous for ‘Our Lady of Good Health’ festival during the month of September, every year.
2. Sirumalai Lake: This lake is a man-made one. Boating facilities are available in this lake.
3. Saathiyar basin: This is the catchment area of the Sathiyaar Dam in Madurai.
4. Vellimalai Temple: This temple is renowned throughout the neighbouring villages and towns.
5. Sanjeevani Hills: The hill became famous when Lord Hanuman had to search for a certain herb, and not finding it, had to take the entire hill with him to cure Lord Laxmana.  On his way back from Sri Lanka with the hill, a piece fell down here and it came to be known as Sirumalai.
6. Kottai Mariamman temple: This is a 200-year-old temple within the vicinity. The presiding deity is Mariamman. Lord Vinayaka, Durga, Madurai Veeran, Kaliamman, Navagrahas and Muneeswaran also have their own temples within the area. This temple is behind a fort and hence the name. History states that Tippu Sultan used to ride on a horse through an underground passage to Palani. It is said that Tippu Sultan built a mutt in the 18th century and installed the Goddess there. This Goddess is the principal deity of the people of Dindigul. The festival in this temple is in the month of February / March. The Goddess has eight hands and sits in great splendour.
7. Khandige Estate: the estate is surrounded by dense forest and is a popular place for the wild animals. There are a lot of medicinal plants and three rivers, of which, two are perennial. There are a series of waterfalls. The aim of the estate is to conserve the biodiversity of the Ghats.
8. Selvi Koil Point: The place offers a panoramic view of Dindigul and Chinnamalai town.

Valley View

GETTING THERE

Sirumalai is 25 km. from Dindigul by road and 40 km. from Madurai and 401 km. from the state capital, Chennai. There are buses and taxis from Madurai and Dindigul. The nearest railway station is in Dindigul and the nearest airport is in Madurai.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The climate is moderate throughout the year because of the height and the dense forest. It is generally misty in the mornings and evenings.

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation in Sirumalai is limited to only two resorts, though economical. However, there are hotels in Dindigul and Madurai that will suit every pocket.

ACTIVITIES

Boating on the Sirumalai Lake is one activity within the area. Since there are mountains, hiking, mountaineering and trekking are also encouraged. This place is also a haven for bird watchers.