Megamalai: why people call it a hidden paradise

Highways Dam

In the cool and high mountains in the Theni district of Tamil Nadu at an altitude of 1500 metres above sea level is the beautiful place called Megamalai.  To reach Megamalai, there is eighteen hairpin bends to be negotiated and the drive is wild as there are no safety culverts on the sides of the roads. Megamalai is also known as High Wavy Mountains. There are a lot of tea and cardamom estates in and around the place with natural vegetation and beautiful mountains. Megamalai is situated on the Western Ghats and a beautiful place to be visited.

The peak of the hill is a wonderful place to view the Varusanadu Hills mountain ranges. There are a few tea, coffee and spices plantation around the place.

The first to plant tea in this area was Napier Ford, a British in the 1930s. He found the place quite conducive and later others developed the area. This was the last area in the district and it was found that the yield was high.

Megamalai is one good place to wander around. The rolling tea hills and the wild calls of the animals are one experience that will not be forgotten. This is a place where one can relax and other activities include boating in the catchment area.

 Tea Estates

PLACES TO SEE

1. Manalar Dam:  On the Suruli Theertham is one of the six dams. It has a bird’s eye view of the Cumbum ravines and the villages in Theni district. Boating facilities are available in the catchment area and are controlled by the state government.
2. Megamalai Falls: The falls is on the Suruli River and it cascades down 190 feet at two levels. Wild animals like elephants, gaur and deer are generally seen at the falls during dusk. The name of the place means Cloud Land Falls.
3. Vellimalai: Translated, it is ‘Silver Hills’, at an altitude of 1650 metres, it is the peak in Megamalai. A beautiful place where the clouds touch the mountains and the air so very cool, the Vaigai River originates from this mountain. The view from this place is magnificent and wildlife can also be seen from this mountain.
4. Cumbam Valley: This valley is 41 km. from Megamalai and is known for the vineyards. There are three other places in this valley to be seen. They are Maharajah Mettu, Iravangalaru and Upper Manaluru. These places are very rich in flora and fauna.
5. Suruli Falls: The water falls down in two steps at a height of 150 feet initially, gathers in a pool and then falls another 40 feet. It is a good picnic spot. The season here is from June to October.
6. Kailasanathar Cave Temple: This temple is located above Suruli Falls.

Vellimalai Murugan Temple

Near Suruliyar Power House

 THE SANCTUARIES AND THEIR INHABITANTS

1. Periyar Tiger Sanctuary: It is on the border between Tamil Nadu and Kerala with a resident wildlife population.
2. Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary: The Grizzled squirrels are an endangered lot and they live on branches of trees. Their predators are birds and snakes. In all these forests there are different species of animals, mammals, birds, butterflies and reptiles. The forests are hosts to elephants, tigers, barking deer, sambar deer, spotted deer, lion-tailed macaque, sloth bear, common langur,  bonnet macaque, leopard, Nilgiri Tahr, Gaur, wild boar, porcupine, Nilgiri langur, grey jungle fowl, smooth-coated otter, the flying squirrel and a more than a hundred species  of birds that have been spotted and identified.

The Great Indian Hornbills are birds that are on the verge of extinction. They have been hunted for their meat. They are generally found in altitudes up to 1500 metres.

Salim Ali’s Fruit Bat: One of the rarest bats in the world as recognised by the Guinness Book of records is named after the Indian ornithologist, Salim Ali. This bat is only found in this region.

Hutton’s Pit Viper: Found in Megamalai in 1949, there were only two small ones and no adults were found anywhere else.  The closest relative can be found only in Malaysia.

DIRECTIONS

There are two roads through which Megamalai can be reached. One is from Theni, by way of Chinnamanur which is the most scenic route. The other is the Andipatti route. Theni is 76 km. from Madurai which is 120 km. from Megamalai. There are buses from Dindigul also. The nearest airport is in Madurai. The railway station, too, is in Madurai. The roads to Megamalai are not good and there is no public transport in Megamalai other than those going to the cities, mentioned.

WHERE TO STAY

Accommodation on the hill is limited and has to be reserved early at the check post which is 3 km. from Chinnamanur. There are moderately priced accommodations in Theni.

WHEN TO VISIT

The best time to visit Megamalai is between October and March. The climate will be pleasant and cool at this time.