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*[http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mag/2003/06/08/stories/2003060800240800.htm Yercaud Winter's] |
*[http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mag/2003/06/08/stories/2003060800240800.htm Yercaud Winter's] |
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*{{wikitravel}} |
*{{wikitravel}} |
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*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkRwmPCeY2c Yercaud Nature`s Video] |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
Revision as of 16:15, 30 November 2009
Yercaud
ஏற்காடு Yercaud | |
---|---|
Village | |
Population (2001) | |
• Total | 36,863 |
Tamil and English spoken |
Yercaud (Tamil: ஏற்காடு) is a hill station near Salem, Tamil Nadu, India in the Servarayan range of hills (anglicized as Shevaroys) in the Eastern Ghats. It is at an altitude of 1515 metres (4969 feet) above the mean sea level. The highest point in Yercaud is the Servarayan temple. Hence the Yercaud hill area is called Shevaroy Hills.
The total extent of Yercaud Taluk is 382.67 sq.kms. including Reserve Forest. The entire Taluk is a Township. Yercaud has also a Panchayat Union with its Head Quarters at Yercaud and its Jurisdiction is the same as for Yercaud Taluk.
Popular as the "Poor man's Ooty", Yercaud is one of the cheapest hill station destination in India.[citation needed]
Etymology
The town gets its name from the lake located at its center - in Tamil Yeri means lake and Kaadu means forest. Yercaud is known for coffee plantations and orange groves. It also has an Orchidarium run by the Botanical Survey of India. The highest point in Yercaud is the Servarayan temple, which is situated at a height of 5326 feet. Hence the Yercaud hill area is called Shevaroy Hills[1].
History
The stone-age implements were found from the ancient shrine located near the Pagoda Point, which is about 5 kms. From the Yercaud lake.[2]
The British discovered it in the early 19th century. There are accounts of coffee plantations being introduced by a British officer in the area in the second decade of the 19th century. Though first house was built in 1840, the first metalled roads were laid only in the early 20th century. The cool climate attracted Christian missionaries and they established the Sacred Heart Convent for girls and Montfort School for boys. Schools like the Holy Cross Novitiate House, started by the Brothers of Don Bosco, followed these.
Yercaud was a Sun Taluk upto 14.10.1997. It became a full fledged Taluk with effect from 15.10.1997. There are 67 Revenue villages which have been grouped into 9 Tariffs for the sake of administration and each Tariffs has one Village Administrative officer. Yercaud Taluk is divided into 3 Firkas viz., Yercaud, Vellakkadai and Puthur.
Natural Environment
Season | Months |
Peak Season | March-June |
Low Season | Feb-March; July-September |
Second Season | October-February |
- Climate
The climate of Yercaud is a moderate one. Winters are fairly mild, which starts in the month of September and ends in December. During winter, the hills are covered by mist and it looks beautiful. In Winter is 25* C - 12* C and in Summer is 30* C - 16* C. Rainfall is minimum 1500 mm - maximum 2000 mm
- Flora and fauna
Some of the original forests continue to exist in the Yercaud hills and contain several endemic species of plants and fauna. The Yercaud hills have many faunal and floral similarities to the Western Ghats. Coffee and citrus fruits, most notably oranges, are grown in abundance apart from bananas, pears and jack. Scenically, Yercaud is as enchanting and picturesque as the hill stations on the Western ghats and trekking here can be one of the most pleasurable ways to pass time.
Wild life includes bison, deer,ant-eater, rabbits, hares, foxes, mongoose, squirrels, partridges, snakes, bulbuls, kites, sparrows, swallows and Paradise flycatchers.
Economy
Economy of Yercaud is predominantly Tourism.
The other major source of income is agriculture. The main crop of Yercaud is coffee. Coffee was first cultivated on the "Grange Estate" in the year 1820, the year in which coffee plants were brought from Africa to Yercaud by Mr. M.D. Cockburn. Jack fruit, orange, guava and spices such as black pepper and cardamom are the other crops raised on the coffee estate. Sandalwood, teak and silver oak are abundant too.
Festivals
- Summer Festival: This is held during the middle of May when the annual festival of Lord Servarayan, presiding deity of the Shevaroy Hills, takes place. It has a 7-day exhibition of flower shows, dog shows, boating races and a village fair.
Tourism and attractions
- Yercaud Lake
It is a pool surrounded by gardens and well-wooded trees.
- Lady's Seat
It is overlooks the winding ghat road. Tourists can have a panoramic view of the plains below through the telescope mounted at the Lady's seat.
- Killiyur Falls
It is situated in 3000 feet high water falls.
- The Servaroyan Temple
It is situated atop Servaroyan hill. The tribals here celebrate their annual festival in May every year. The temple is a narrow and dark cave having the God Servarayan and the Goddess Kaveri inside, which is believed as the Shevaroy Hills and the Cauvery River.
- Bear’s Cave
It is situated near the Norton’s Bungalow, Bear’s Cave is considered as one of the abodes of Lord Murugan. It is believed that the great Tipu Sultan used Bear’s Cave as a hideout and a secret route to escape at the time of war.
- Green House
It is the paradise for nature lovers. The place is filled with heavenly fragrances of innumerable varieties of flowers and spices thriving in the premises of Green house.
- The Grange
The Grange is one of the oldest buildings in Yercaud, built in 1820's by the then District Collector of Salem, M.D. Cockburn who first introduced Coffee from Arabia, Apples and other fruits from South Africa between 1820 and 1829 A.D. It is believed to be the summer resort of Robert Clive - The British Big Wig of the East India Company way back in the late 1800's.
- Pagoda Point
This is also another vantage view point. Once upon a time a beautiful place adorned with stone built pagodas, it is now home to a huge temple.
- Silk Farm and Rose Garden
It is situated very close to Lady's Seat. This is the place where Silkworms are reared. Located 2 Km from Yercaud town, one can see the cultivation of mulberries, the growing of silk worms and the method of spinning silk. The rose garden has a good collection of varieties of roses. There is a nursery in this garden from where one can purchase plants.
- Trekking in Yercaud
Yercaud has developed into a major trekking destination in the region. A lot of treks are organized here. Chennai Trekking Club organizes treks in Yercaud.
Transport
Yercaud is situated in Salem district, Tamil Nadu. Nearest City/Town is Salem-36kms, Chennai-355kms, Coimbatore-195kms. The nearest Airport is in Salem at 38kms, in Trichirapalli at 165kms and in Coimbatore at 195kms. The nearest Railway Station is Salem-38kms Yercaud Express from Chennai.
Schools
- Montfort School, run by the Montfort Brothers of St. Gabriel, is one of the Christian-run schools in the Yercaud hill town for boys.
- Sacred Heart School run by the Cluny Sisters is a school for girls.
- St.Charles , a primary school for a good foundation
- L.O.V.E School (Lady Of Velankanni Primary School) - A co-ed school for kids from pre K.G. up to grade 5. Reasonable Fees.
- Fairlawns Home School & GDR Matriculation School
- St.Bernard's School - A primary school.
- St'Joseph's High School(Boys)
- Nazareth Higher sec school (Girls) ,Run by Cluny Sisters.
Politics
Yercaud assembly constituency (ST) is part of Salem (Lok Sabha constituency).[4]
Gallery
-
Kiliyur waterfall near Yercaud
-
Rainbow near Pagoda point
-
View of Salem city at night
-
A quiet road in Yercaud
References
- ^ http://www.peermade.info/travel/yercuad
- ^ http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000917/spectrum/travel.htm
- ^ http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.placenspace.com/images/vancefox.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.placenspace.com/Timeshare/yarcaud.htm&usg=__A5MwJ5jh7vSfyQ_gQ2JHcsfntZs=&h=625&w=800&sz=373&hl=en&start=4&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=4Q0rUFkCS4PZ3M:&tbnh=112&tbnw=143&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dyercaud%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX%26um%3D1
- ^ "List of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies" (PDF). Tamil Nadu. Election Commission of India. Retrieved 2008-10-09.