Sirumalai Hills - An Ideal Escape to Nature

One of the ancient settlements of Tamil Nadu, the city of Dindigul is located very close to some of the most visited hill stations of South India. To name a few, Kodaikanal, popularly referred as the 'Princess of Hill stations' is 96.8 km away from Dindigul (via Grand Southern Trunk Road and Laws Ghat Road), the holy abode of Lord Muruga, Palani Hills is 102 km from Dindigul and so on. Among the hill stations near to the city of Dindigul, Sirumalai Hills, a yet to be explored hill station is a perfect weekend getaway that it brings nature a bit closer to the visitors! Let's get to know more about the amazing hill station of Sirumalai in Dindigul.

Must Read:
Tourism in Dindigul

Sirumalai Hills - A Natural Heat Buster!

Far off from the maddening crowds and concrete jungles, Sirumalai Hills - a nature-friendly hill station is located just 33.8 km away from Dindigul (via Dindigul - Natham - Singampunari-Tiruppattur - Karaikudi Road), 91.5 km from Madurai (via NH7) and 138 km from Trichy (via Grand Southern Trunk Road/Trichy - Dindugal Road). An offbeat destination or yet to be fully discovered hill station, Sirumalai Hill is an ideal for a wonderful weekend getaway from Dindigul, Madurai, Trichy and many other towns and cities surrounding Dindigul district. As a matter of Fact, Dindigul town is located in between Palani Hills and Sirumalai hills and precisely on the foothills of the latter!




Fortunately, Sirumalai hills are a lesser known hill station in the region that a fully crowded hill station is the last thing you want in a relaxing weekend trip! The hills have more than ten settlements nestled in along and the local administration have numerous upcoming projects to elevate the offbeat hills into a fully fledged tourist spot of Dindigul. The adventure starts right from the road that takes you to Sirumalai hills from Dindigul. Of the total distance of 33.8 km from Dindigul to Sirumalai hills, almost 14 km come under a forest section which features a whopping eighteen hairpin bends! Yes, you read it right, 18 hairpin bends.



The forest section starts with a simple check post, indirectly notifying that you have got much more to witness and experience on the way forward. Driving through the upward slope, the ambience sets into action that you will start to see the dry deciduous forest slowly changing into a semi-green forest and a sudden drop in the mercury. You are more likely to roll down your window as you cannot enjoy such a pollution-free and cool breeze anywhere in the city. Passing through the hairpin bends is itself like a little adventure and the remember to enjoy the awe-inspiring bird's eye view of the hills and a complete panorama of Dindigul town including the Dindigul Rock Fort from the 3rd and 5th hairpin bends.



An observation tower located on seventeenth hairpin bend offers a (much-needed) place for a stopover. At this point, there is nothing better you can do other than enjoying the jaw dropping scenery below. The last hairpin bend takes you to a calm and picturesque village called as Sirumalai Palaiyur. Some of the other villages of Sirumalai Hills include Thalakadai, Anna Nagar, Sirumalai Puthur, Thavittukadai, Thenmalai Ooradi, Agasthiarpuram, Kadamankulam, Velanpannai and Ponnurukki. The primary occupation of the population here is agriculture and related business. It is important to mention that the Sirumalai banana, which was previously an important ingredient of the world famous Palani Panchamirtham, is cultivated here.

As you are now closer to the nature, you can immerse yourself in the hypnotizing nature, the birds chirping and singing, pleasant fragrance from the wild flowers and herbs, soothing sound of water flowing, buzzing bugs and all this in a chilly atmosphere, even on a typical summer day, Sirumalai hills are nothing short of a (god-made) wonder and a gift to Dindigul. In the nightfall, the panorama from the top is even more enthralling as all you can see is gleaming lights which are far away from - nature!

Tidbits:

Places of Interest:
Annai velankanni church, Sirumalai lake, Saathiyar basin, Sanjeevani hills, Vellimalai temple, Agasthiyapuram siva temple, Thenmalai temple and so on

Things to do:
Bird watching, trekking, boating, hiking and so on

• A small private boat house is open at Sirumalai Palaiyur
• It is better to carry a first aid kit and necessary tablets as finding a hospital or a pharmacy in Sirumalai is impossible
• Refuel your vehicles in Dindigul as there are petrol bunks on Sirumalai
• You get only limited options in Sirumalai in terms of accommodations, it is best to book your accommodation in either Dindigul or in Madurai

Quick Facts:

Elevation: 1,600 m above sea level
Location: Dindigul, Tamil Nadu
Range: Eastern Ghats