Complete Guide to Palani Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, Tamil Nadu

Amongst some of India’s most treasured wildlife sanctuaries is Palani Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park. Located in the Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu, this Forest reserve was established as a protected zone in the year 2008 under the administration of Tamil Nadu Forest Department. The entire sanctuary spans around an area of 736.87 kilometers and houses several mountains and hills within it. Palani Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park holds its exclusivity to its many waterfalls located all over the reserve.

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A Complete Tour Guide To Yercaud Hill Station

Lying in the laps of Eastern Ghats in the Shevaroys Hills, Yercaud comes under the jurisdiction of the state of Tamil Nadu. Seated at an altitude of 4970 feet above sea level, Yercaud gets in name from a local translation of ‘The Lake Forest’. With dense sandalwood, silver oak and teak forests the place offers spectacular surroundings. Being perched in the Eastern Ghats it is slowly becoming popular amongst the people as a rejuvenating retreat away from the bustling city lives. With the dense treks of the forests, Yercaud is home to numerous species of flora and fauna. A part of the forests of the place have been restricted and maintained in their original forms and the wildlife there too is left undisturbed. Yercaud is also famous for its plantations of coffee, cardamom, black pepper, guava and citrus fruits including oranges. Covered in the sumptuous greens and being a hilly and rocky terrain, Yercaud also welcomes the adventure junkies for trekking and rock-climbing. Yercaud also has a rich history as it is believed to be one of the earliest settlements of the Telugu Kings. Also being discovered later by the official of the British era, it also showcases the evidences of the modern Indian History reflecting the colonial style architecture. With temples, caves, lakes and view-points, Yercaud is a complete holiday destination.

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Top 5 Hill Stations In Tamil Nadu

The southern-most state of India, Tamil Nadu literally translates to ‘The Land of Tamils’. Encompassed by Andhra Pradesh in the north, Karnataka in the north-west, Kerela in the west and Bay of Bengal on the East, Tamil Nadu also shares its boundary with the Union Territory Pondicherry. Tamil Nadu also shares a marine boundary with Sri Lanka towards the south.

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A Complete Tour Guide To Yelagiri Hill Station

Yelagiri, or as it is affectionately called as Poor Man’s Ooty, lies in the Vellore District of Tamil Nadu. Yelagiri is situated at a height of about 1110 meters above the sea level. The area comprises of fourteen hamlets that sum together to make up Yelagiri. Since the hill-town is not as commercialised as the other hill stations of the region it still encompasses beauty in its raw form. The lush greens of the nature and the peaceful attitude of the place makes Yelagiri a splendid destination for weekend getaways. With the temperature being moderate all-round the year, Yelagiri sprawls with the green slopes, Rose gardens and orchards all along. The hill-town was found in the colonial era and is well known for its breath-taking hair pin bends that provide a captivating view. The little hill-town also let visitors indulge in activities like rock-climbing, paragliding and trekking. There are some enthralling treks that lead to beautiful destinations. Yelagiri is endowed with waterfalls, valleys, lakes, hills and temples. Wrapped quietly in the arms of four hills, the sleepy hill-town of Yelagiri is a break from the chaotic city life.

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A Complete Tour Guide To Coonoor Hill Station

Lying in the luxurious laps of emerald green tea plantations, Coonoor is situated at an altitude of approximately 1850 meters above the sea level. Being the second largest hill station of the mountain range of Nilgiri, Coonoor falls under the state of Tamil Nadu. Nestling in the calmness of the nature, the place is famous for Nilgiri Tea. The hill station was discovered as a summer retreat by the British in the 19th century for it being at a small distance from Ooty yet beholding a scenic charm that couldn’t be surpassed. Though the lower part of the place is a hustle-bustle of daily activities by both locals and the tourists, the upper part has a contrasting peace and serenity. Overlooking the lush green mountain range of Nilgiris around and below is the tranquil blue sea making the destination picture-perfect. Coonoor is said to be a trekker’s love for the trekking options it encompasses. There are a lot of local and migratory birds that are spotted here making it a bird-watcher’s paradise. With waterfalls, botanical gardens, sunset points, forts and churches, Coonoor has a lot of places that attract huge flocks of tourists round the year. Coonoor has been famous for its extensive beauty and even the careless leisurely strolls make you experience heaven with every step.

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Mudumalai National Park, Tamil Nadu

‘A beautiful painting of lush greens and striped cats come to life’

Bound by the lofty Nilgiri Hills, Mudumalai National Park lies in the Nilgiri district at the junction of three states: Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Alongwith Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala and Bandipur Tiger reserve in Karnataka, Mudumalai completes a continuous region boasting of amazing range of biodiversity and also forms a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere reserve. Mudumalai National Park is also a tiger reserve and as many as 50 tigers can be found here, although it is hard to spot even one.

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Top 10 Beaches In Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu, the land of Tamils as it translates to in the local language, lies towards the extreme south of the Indian Peninsula. Facing towards the Bay of Bengal on the eastern side the state has a coastline of 910 km. With the clear waters of the Bay of Bengal, Tamil Nadu is home to some of the most tranquil beaches of India. Also at its southern tip one can witness the three major water bodies of Bay of Bengal, India Ocean and the Arabian Sea merging into each other and becoming one. The state hence holds a beautiful coastal perimeter of India that beckons every beach lover. Here is a list of top 10 beaches of Tamil Nadu.

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Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, Tamil Nadu

‘Because jungles, trees and monkeys are just too mainstream!’

Spread across an area of 560 sq km, Gulf of Mannar National Park lies within the larger Gulf of Munnar biosphere reserve (10,500 sq km) in the state of Tamil Nadu. It encompasses 21 small yet amazingly beautiful islands and stretches across the south-eastern coasts of Rameswaram, Tutucorin, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari in the sparkling waters of the Indian Ocean. This is the first marine Biosphere Reserve in Southeast Asia and undoubtedly, the best of its kind with an astonishingly huge variety of plants and animals! The marine animals and coral reefs are the main attraction here. You will also find a number of rare and endangered species depicting the ‘after-effects’ of the ruins brought about by man. Nevertheless, this place will simply mesmerize you beyond your expectations!

Whether you’re an explorer, a wildlife enthusiast, a nature lover, a bird watcher, an adventure junkie or simply someone looking for a getaway this park will pay heed to your escapade! For kids, its a great opportunity to see the animals mentioned in their biology books right there in front of their eyes! For lovers, the ambience is perfect to set the mood.

[Also Checkout: 100 Best Indian Wildlife Sanctuaries]

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10 Getaways From Chennai During Weekends

Chennai was named by Lonely Planet as one of the top ten cities in the world to visit in 2015. Chennai is not only an epitome of beauty with its heritage temples but also serves as a gateway to the places that will give you ultimate respite during the much awaited weekend. There are times when you get caught up in the flow of busy, hard life and the feeling to escape into another time, another place, to be on your own for a while reaches its pinnacle. Here is a list of ten places for weekend getaways from charming Chennai. Whether you want to explore the cultural heritage, drift away to the scenic view of misty forests, walk along the vast stretches of the pearly beaches, you can be assured of that perfect getaway to relax and unwind.

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