⦿ Kolli Hills are situated on Eastern Ghats at an altitude of 1200 meters above mean sea level in the Namakkal District and 45 km from Namakkal town. The Kolli Hills are known for medicinal herbs and plants that grow in abundance on the hill slopes. The Arapaleswarar Temple, the Horticulture Farm, the Herbal Farm, Agaya Gangai waterfalls and the Telescope House are the places to visit for the interested tourist. The Valvil Ori festival is organised here every year during the month of August.
⦿ Kolli Hills is a major mountain range and is an outliner of the Eastern Ghats. It is eighteen miles ( 28 Kilometeres) long (north south) twelve miles(19 Kilometers) wide(east/west) and the Kolli Block covers 441.4 square kilo meters.
⦿ It falls within the following coordinates:-. Rest Longitude 78º 17'05" to 78º 27'45" and North Latitude 11º 55' 05" to 11º 21'10".
⦿ The name Kolli Malai refers to the mountain's once hostile nature; the unsuspecting and un-accamatised aliens, attracted by natural beauty. Viewed from plains of Namakkal the mountain appears as a flattopped mass. The mountain has been inhabitated from prehistoric times. It is much celebrated in the Tamil Literature of the Sangam period; at least eleven poets mention it in their poems
⦿ Cultivation of Jack Fruit, Guava, Hill Banana, Pineapple, Pepper, Coffee, Cardamom,topioca, honey and rice are the main agricultural activities. The government reserve forests are seen in Ariyur, Puliyan Solai, Selur and Vazhavandhi Nadu. An area of 200 hectares is in the process of reforestation. Tigers and elephants which were once common in it are now extinct; only small animals such as black bears, hares, porcupines, and wild dogs are seen.
⦿ Legends have it that the hills were part of the famous Madhuvanam (Honey Forest) reserved by Sugriva of the epic Ramayana. The Maximum elevation ranges from 3500' to 4500' with the tallest peak Vettakaramalai, is rising to 4663' above sea level.
⦿ The hills formed a natural boundary between the Kongu Nadu and Chola Nadu. At the beginning of the Christian era the Mountain and its habitants were rules by Mazhavars and the King Valvil Ori was much celebrated among them. Legends have it that he was a great archer and released an arrow by him pierced first an elephant, then went through the open mouth of a tiger, then a deer and the a pig and then hit a man-eater lizard killing instantaneously all. Apart from known abode of the Saints, the Buddhists, the Jains set up a number of retreats, those fell prey to time. A stone image of Theerthangar reminds the existence of the earlier Jain influence.
⦿ The famous Shiva Temple called Arappalleeswarar Temple dating back to 12th century situated at periakoviloor near the famous water falls Akasa Gangai. Reportedly an ancient and powerful deity called Kolli Paavai of Ettukkai Amman is also at Kolli Hills. It attracts large pilgrims on new moon days originally a Jain retreat.
⦿ The glory of Kolli Hills and the Charity of the King Valvil Ori is liberally sung by the Sangam literature like Agananooru, Purananooru, Kurunthogai, Pathitrupathu and Natrinai.
⦿ Numerous streams originate from Kolli Hills. The major rivers traversing the hills are Aiyar, Varattar etc.
⦿ Akasa Gangai is an enchanting 300 feet waterfall of river Aiyaru, located near Arappaleeshwarar temple. Thousands of steps lead down to the falls. It is situated in a beautiful valley surrounded by the mountains at all sides. En-route, the natural beauty of the valley and the vegetation-covered peaks. The location is ideal for trekking and the breeze is pleasant, the cascade of silvery water touching and brushing the innumerable herbs which are abound in Kollihills keeps everyone spell bound and fresh with its herbal qualities.
⦿ The important sight seeing places are Telescope House (at Solakadu), Government Herbal Farm, Botanical Garden, View Points at 34,35,36 and 37 hairpin bends. Picturesque vies point at Solakkadu, at Akasa Gangai, Selur Nadu view point, Boat lake at Vasalurpatti, view point at Seekkuparai. Arappaleeswarar temple, Kolli Paavai Temple, Jain temple and ofcourse a pleasent never ending landscape crisscrossing 441 Kilo meter Kolli Hills range.
⦿ A Shiva temple in the Valappur Nadu situated on the stream Aiyaru. Its is dedicated to Arppalli Iswarar. The deity's other names are Thiru Arappalli Ashavar, Thiru Arappalli Mahadhevan and Thiru Arappalli Udaiyar, The Deity's consort is Archalai. It is a 12th century temple. Valli Amman, also known as Sucmathamba, and Thayammai. Because of the belief that Arappalli Iswarar resides in the small fish of Aiyaru, the temple has also the name of Fish temple. It is customary for the pilgrims to catch the sacred fish by hand, adorn them with gold or silver nose rings in fulfillment of vows. The Hindu legends of the temple’s origin claim that the lingam in the main shrine was unearthed during the ploughing of a field. The scar on its top is supposed to have been caused by the plough
⦿ The Boat House at Vasalurpatty is located at Km 9/2 of Solakkadu – Thinnanurpatty road. It is one of the most beautiful spot with small natural island in the lake covered with huge rocks and greenery on all sides. Perennial water source available in the lake throughout the year. At present 4 fiber boats are available and for the conveyance of tourist a boat parking bay has been constructed.
⦿ A Botanical Garden is formed at the old TAMPCOL site located some 3 Km from Semmedu . Inthis Garden area a Park, Rose Garden, Herbal park , Eco friendly cottages and a view point is located.
⦿ The Children Park is located just above the fountain in the Botanical Garden. Statues of animals , One see saw double (Four seater ), One wave slide, one deluxe circular swing, one merry go round and one six seated Children. A Gallery room for flowers show is also available.
⦿ The Children Park is located just above the fountain in the Botanical Garden. Statues of animals , One see saw double (Four seater ), One wave slide, one deluxe circular swing, one merry go round and one six seated Children. A Gallery room for flowers show is also available.
⦿ At present Kolli Hills could be reached through a ghat road which has 70 hairpin bends. The village at the foot hill is Karavalli. From Namakkal to Kolli Hills the distance is 55 KMs.. The ghat road alone is 26 KMs. The district administration taking steps to form an another ghat road called NariankaduMullukurichi road which, when formed will have only 2-3 hairpin bends.
⦿ Frequent bus services are available to reach Kolli Hills from Namakkal and Salem. Beside a pleasant drive enjoying the un-polluted beauty of the drive way will take you to the Hills.