VALPARAI
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The Poor Mans Ooty. Valparai Is a leser known Hillstation At the Kerala Tamilnadu Border along the Anamalai Hills.

Valparai is a lesser known Pollution free hill station located 3500 feet above sea level along the Anamalai Mounting Range. The spot is just 16 Kilometer away from The famous hill station Munnar, but it is 300 Kms by road.  There are tea plantations all around the hills, There are a few hotels to stay and many shops for shopping.

PLACES TO VISIT

Sholayar dam
It is the second deepest dam of Asia. Situated  at a distance of 20 Kms., from Valparai along the Chalakudy Route.  An active tourist spot found always busy. A beautiful place to visit.

Nirar dam
This dam is built for multipurpose project such as irrigation, Hydro electricity production. Dam is situated in a wonderful location covered by a dense forest. There is a waterfalls near by the dam which resembles the Cascade. Situated  at a distance of 15kms from Valparai.

Chinnakallar
Chinnakalar is a geographically important place. It is the second highest  rain fall area inIndia. Always found wet and misty. A greenish dense forest with tall majestic trees all along the road to Chinnakalar a pleasure to enjoy. There is a falls in Chinnakallar which sounds like a roaring lion. Situated  at a distance of 15kms from Valparai.

Karamalai Annai Vellankanni Church
Lot of miracles happened by Vellankanni Matha. Fesitivel takes place every year during September 8th. New church was built in the year 2003. A place to enjoy spiritual peaceful environment. Many people visit  this Church daily. Situated  at a distance of 10kms from Valparai.

Balaji temple
Balaji temple is owned by the Peria Karamalai tea Industries. Situated in Karamalai. Very famous beautiful temple. Situated  at a distance of 10kms from Valparai.

Grass Hills
Its a part of Indra Gandhi wildlife sanctuary & national park. It is surrounded by a green grass environment. Its a beautiful site of high green grasses on a mountain slope, which is a protected area. Visitors has to obtain permission  from wildlife warden to enter the Grass Hills.
Situated  at a distance of 15 kms. from Valparai.  Grass hills is a picturesque  spot located in the Valparai hills range, at a height  of approx: 2400m msl, with cool climate getting cooler at night, a  part of  Indira Gandhi Wild Life Sanctuary. Right now all efforts are being undertaken by the government to preserve the flora and fauna of this location. Nilgiri Thar is native of this place apart from Elephants, Bison, Indian Gaur, Bear, Nilgiri Langurs etc.. and a wide variety of birds including Hornbills.

Chitti Vinayagar Temple
Chitti Vinayagar Temple is owned by Jayshree tea Industries, Sholayar the temple is situated in a beautiful garden environment. It is very close to Valparai. Situated  at a distance of 5kms from Valparai.

Nallamudi Poonjolai
This is also a beautiful view point. Near by Sangiliroad near Valparai. This is the best spot at Valparai.

PHOTO GALLERY

MAPS

HOW TO REACH

Please refer the Map above to see the route (Red Colored Line). There are 2 main route to Valpara one from Coimbatore / Bangalore and another one from Cochin or Eranakulam.

From Bangalore / Eranakulam

From Bangalore you must reach Coimbatore, a Well known highway (It takes around 8 Hours for the trip and is 350 Km Long). From Coimbatore you must goto Pollachi which is just 45 Kms away and takes 1 hour. From Pollachi there are many buses to Valparai. The distance is 80 Kms and takes 3 hours along the ghat road. A major stop in the route is Aliyar dam.

From Cochn/ Eranakuam

From Cochin the Shortest Route is Along Chalakudy and Athirapally, but is is a forest route and not easy to drive ( See this link for more info http://www.travel.peermade.info/index.php?page=77&title=Chalakudy%20Valparai%20Route ).If you love to travel along a forest, you can choose this route. There are buses along this route but only 3 per day and is a 5 hour Journey, but beautiful.

NB:So it is better to Go along the Palakkad, from Palakkad to Pollachi and then Pollachi Valparai Route, which is the common Route.

FOOTNOTES

LINKS

• Trip along the Jungle route from Chalakudy Kerala to Valparai, along the Anamalai Hills, the most beautiful route in South India
  http://www.travel.peermade.info/index.php?page=77&title=Chalakudy%20Valparai%20Route
• My Trip to Aliyar Dam
  http://www.travel.peermade.info/index.php?page=54&title=Aliyar%20Dam
• The Tribal Festival At Valparai
  http://picasaweb.google.com/attapady/Valpara#

TEAM

• Zachariah Mathews, From Adoor, Kerala (zaconline4u@gmail.com)
• Santhosh, From Chitoor Palakkad, Kerala
  
• George Joseph, Webmaster (george@peermade.info)

THANKS TO

• Senthil Nadhan, Annai Medicals, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore