Places to Visit in Meghamalai
Introduction
Meghamalai, also referred to as the “High Wavy Mountains,” is a small but lovely place situated in the Tamil Nadu state’s the Western Ghats. At 1500 meters above sea level, this location is ideal for escaping the heat and unwinding peacefully amid nature. An evergreen forest surrounds the area, and cardamom, cinnamon, and pepper give it a fragrant, fresh scent. In addition, the verdant green tea plantations will allow you to savor hot, freshly brewed tea while strolling through flora and fauna-rich surroundings. The pristine Meghamalai hills, located in Tamil Nadu’s picturesque Western Ghats, will take your breath away. After a long journey from Cumbum in the Theni district, you can arrive at this sleepy mountainous hamlet with breathtaking views.
Best Time to Visit Meghamalai
The months of October through May are the ideal times to visit Meghamalai. The pleasant weather is enhanced by the breeze’s crisp, clean air. The mist that gives this place its mystical appearance is created thanks to the cool climate.
The SRIVILLIPUTHUR-MUDUMALAI TIGER RESERVE is another name for it. Winter time is the ideal time of year to visit Meghamalai. October, November, December, January, February, March, April, and May are the perfect months to travel. The monsoon season in Meghamalai lasts from July to September.
Things to Do in Meghamalai
● Trekking
Meghamalai’s forests are ideal for hiking and discovering hidden treasures, including trees, birds, and other animals. The treks are short and easy and beautiful enough to make you want to drool.
● Explore the plantations
Stroll through the verdant tea, coffee, cinnamon, and cardamom plantations to learn about their cultivation methods and explore the vast fields. Even some of the fresh produce can be purchased and brought home.
● Bird watching
At least 100 bird species, including some of the rarest and most endangered ones, can be found in Meghamalai’s trees. A frequent visitor to Meghamalai is a migratory bird. So enjoy some bird watching and let yourself be mesmerized by their beauty.
Meghamalai is a charming location where you can escape the hustle and bustle of city life. Instead, you’ll experience living in some enchanted place between the clouds. The site and the steaming cup of freshly brewed tea or coffee you will receive here are worthwhile stops.
Biodiversity
Meghamalai is a part of the Western Ghats, so it naturally has a variety of plants and animals. Meghamalai’s dense forests are home to a variety of wildlife. Flying squirrels, sloth bears, gray jungle fowl, wild boars, and spotted deer are a few of the creatures that are simple to spot. You can easily see wild elephants ambling around the forests, and if you’re lucky, you might even have the opportunity to see a tiger or a leopard up close. Numerous colorful birds, such as red-whiskered bulbuls, great Indian hornbills, common ioras, barn swallows, pied bush chats, and white-browed wagtails, can be seen perched on the trees in the forests. In the forests, many colorful insects and butterflies also flutter.
Encroachment Threats
Massive encroachments have threatened the Megamalai hills’ ecosystem into the protected forests of nearly every division in the district. About 400.77 km2 of the total 806.86 km2 comprised degraded forest land. Only 22.43 km2 of the 292.81 km2 total area was covered by trees, making up dense forest areas. The invasion had occurred in the past forty years on about 220 of the 430 km2 Gandamanur forest range under the jurisdiction of the Madurai Forest Division. There were also significant encroachments into Ulloothu Kavu, Anjaraipuli, Elamalaipoodu, Arasaradi, Bommarasapuram, and nearby villages. Large tracts of land were either degraded or turned into mono-crop areas due to increased population and demand, harming the environment. The forest was the only source of income for those living in the hill tracts. Any form of natural forest conservation will contribute to the preservation of biodiversity.
Flora and Fauna
Experts claim that the last thorough investigation of the flora in the Meghamalai region, which is rich in biodiversity, occurred in the early 1980s. Since then, no extensive research on vegetation has been conducted. Instead, scrub forests at the foothills, endless stretches of tea and coffee estates, spice (pepper, cardamom, cinnamon) plantations, and then dense evergreen forests at the top make up the vegetation.
Various birds, mammals, reptiles, and butterflies can be found in the Meghamalai forest. Elephants are both familiar residents and migratory animals. There are numerous identified species, including:
Barking deer, Sambar deer, Mouse deer, Grizzled giant squirrel, Indian flying fox, Bengal Tiger and many more.
Access
There are two ways to reach the Meghamalai mountain range: from Theni via Chinnamanur or from Andipatti via Kandam Nayakkanur. Both are reachable by car from Dindigul and Madurai. From Madurai, Theni is 76 km away. The Woodbriar group was in charge of the road from the turnoff near Chinnamanur to Iravangalar, and the government has begun to maintain it due to a lack of upkeep. On the hilltop, there are only forest lodges and panchayath rest houses. Hotel rooms are available for day visitors in Theni, Chinnamanur, and Andipatti. 130 km separates us from Madurai.
There is a travel advisory for Mehamalai on its website for June and July.
How to reach Meghamalai
By Air: Madurai Airport, located 118 km away, is the closest airport to Meghamalai. The airport has good connections to the country’s largest cities. Rental cars are easily accessible at the airport and will take you where you need to go.
By Rail: Madurai Railway Station is the closest railhead to Meghamalai. Meghamalai is 119 kilometers away and is well connected to the major cities. You can easily find rental cars from there that will drop you off at Meghamalai.
By Road: Meghamalai is well connected to Tamil Nadu’s important cities and towns. Theni, which is 49 kilometers away, is the closest. In addition, the Tamil Nadu State Road Transport Corporation (TNSTC) and some private travel services operate buses at regular intervals from all of Tamil Nadu’s major cities.
Places to See In Meghamalai
● Wildlife Sanctuary at Megamalai
The 600 square km-large Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary is where you can find the wildlife hidden in Meghamalai’s dense forests. You will be mesmerized by the location’s
picturesque beauty and lush forest surroundings. In the sanctuary, a tranquil lake flows where numerous birds and animals can be seen quenching their thirst or cooling off.
Among the animals found in the High Wavy Mountains are the Asian elephant, mouse deer, tiger, leopard, great pied hornbill, Indian brown mongoose, pied thrush, gaur, and white-bellied short-wing and black-naped monarch. In addition, raorchestes beddomii, Raorchestes ponmudi, Nyctibatrachus sp, Ghatixalus asterops Ramanella Montana, Ramanella triangularis, Calliophis nigrescens, Calotes grandisquamis, Hemidactylus anamallensis, Salea anamallayana, Kaestlea travancorica, Kaestlea laterimaculata, Uropeltis madurensis, Uropeltis liura, large-scaled pit viper, and mysterious Hutton’s pit viper.
When Hindustan Unilever took over management of the high wavy estates, it established a non-profit group called the Megamalai Wildlife and Environment Association. By placing signs urging the preservation of nature and animals along the Ghat road in Meghamalai, it collaborated with the forest department to safeguard endangered species. Unfortunately, most of these signs were destroyed during an expansion project on Ghat road. As a result, the forest department has installed new characters.
● Meghamalai Tiger Reserve
Meghamalai Tiger Reserve was established on April 11, 2021, after the Indian government approved it on April 6 to establish a new tiger reserve in Tamil Nadu. The Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary and Tirunelveli Wildlife Sanctuary are now included in the Meghamalai Tiger Reserve. Meghamalai Tiger Reserve has been designated as a tiger reserve, making it the fifth in Tamil Nadu and the 51st overall in India. It should be noted that the Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary, a part of the Meghamalai Tiger Reserve, serves as a continuous patch of forest (previously a buffer zone) for the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Furthermore, it is anticipated that Meghamalai Tiger Reserve will function as a vital corridor and contiguous forest stretch that will facilitate wildlife movement from Periyar Tiger Reserve to Meghamalai Forests. According to wildlife conservationists, the Vaigai river, which originates in Meghamalai, will be given more excellent protection due to the creation of the Meghamalai Tiger Reserve. The Meghamalai-Srivilliputhur Tiger Reserve will also be the name of the tiger reserve.
● Meghamalai Falls
Meghamalai falls, also called “Clouds Land Falls,” are a product of the Meghamalai ranges. The gushing water produces a sweet sound reverberating throughout the area
as it cascades from 190 feet. The setting is ideal for taking a seat and relaxing while taking in the beauty and music of nature.
On the Suruli River, which originates in Meghamalai Hills, is Meghamalai Falls (also known as Suruli Falls). The twin falls to let the water drop 58 meters to the bottom. As a result, elephants, spotted deer, gaurs, and other wild animals frequently visit. The Forest Department plans to help tourists see these wild animals.
● Vellamalai
The center of Meghamalai offers a decorated view of the entire area. It feels as though you are walking on top of the clouds, which appear to be nearby. The lush plantations move in time to the breeze, creating a beautiful scene. Numerous animals that live here can easily be seen.
The center of Meghamalai is the Vellimalai (Silver Mountain, 1,650 m) region. The region where the river Vaigai originates is nestled in silver-lined clouds that appear to be resting gently on green hilltops. This location allows visitors to view wild animals in tea gardens that have been artistically and scientifically managed.
● Suruli Falls
Suruli Falls, only 6 km away, should be visited to see the beauty of water flowing between luscious green trees. Standing beneath the 58-meter-high falls or simply dipping your feet in the tiny pool that forms below the falls will allow you to enjoy the coolness of the water.
● Dams
Six famous dams in the Meghamalai region are a must-see for tourists. They offer a breathtaking view of the entire area. Iravangalar Dam, Thoovanam Dam, Vannier Dam, Manalar Dam, and Thekkady Dam are a few of them. Every dam is beautiful in its way. Tourists enjoy visiting the six dams on the hill and Suruli Theertham’s birthplace (the Suruli falls close to Cumbum town). Views of the deep Cumbum Valley and the villages in the Theni district can be had from the Manalar dam. To make it easier for visitors to access the area, the Department of Tourism has planned to launch a boat or ferry service.
● Maharaja mettu View Point
You must visit Maharaja mettu View Point to experience the area’s breathtaking beauty all at once. You can get a bird’s-eye view of the entire area from here, and you’ll be
astounded to see how well the rocky mountains complement the seemingly endless greenery.
● Murugan Temple
The Meghamalai mountain ranges’ Murugan Temple, located on a hilltop, is a revered site where visitors come not only to ask for blessings but also to take in the area’s picturesque beauty. Visit this well-known temple; it’s beautiful and well-maintained.
● Mangala Devi Temple
The 14 km away Mangala Devi Temple is well-liked by devotees who flock there in large numbers to pray and ask for blessings. The temple is made of rocks and is built on top of a hill. The temple is surrounded by plantations and trees, which improves the area’s appearance.
● Cinnamon, Cardamom, Coffee, and Tea Estates
Tea, coffee, cinnamon, and cardamom are all produced in the lush green plantations that dot Meghamalai. The fragrant freshness of these crops will fill your lungs as you stroll through these plantations. In addition, you will have the chance to explore and broaden your knowledge during a guided tour of these estates.
The Varusanadu Hills’ entire mountain range can be seen from the Highways. Around here, there are numerous sizable private plantations for tea, coffee, and spices, most notably the Highways Group of Estates. Other small plantations in Meghamalai include Ananda Plantations, Ponsiva Plantations, and Fieldmede Estate. An artificial lake provides plenty of space for strolls. The Kardana Coffee Estate is located at 9°42′N 77°24′E in the High Wavy Mountains.
Conclusion
Meghamalai is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, dotted with cardamom and tea plantations. The creation of a new tiger reserve in Tamil Nadu was approved by the government of Tamil Nadu and the forest department on April 6, 2021, and the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve was officially established on April 11.
Megamalai is the place to go if you want to breathe clean air and unwind; it is more than just beautiful. Beautiful plantations! Tea plantations and dense tropical forests surround Meghamalai. There is one artificial dam in the middle of the area, and water flows to the lake from it.
