Tamil Nadu Retreats To Replenish Your Soul

Tamil culture has a long and distinguished history stretching back more than 5,500 years. The historical, archaeological, architectural, culinary, and religious heritage of Tamil Nadu paints a picture of a region burgeoning with industry, philosophical inquiry, inventiveness and closeness to the living world across millenniums. If you ask any traveller about their trip to this southern Indian state, you will likely be regaled with stories about the forests, waterfalls, wildlife and hill stations of the Western and Eastern Ghats, the thrum of local festivals, a blooming creative and performing arts sector, the opportunity to undertake adventurous activities like surfing, scuba diving, and parasailing, the stunning temple architecture of the place and of course, the lip-smacking delights of Chettinadu, Kongunadu, Mundaliar, and Thanjavur cuisine.

The hill stations and plantation towns of Tamil Nadu, in particular, provide a rejuvenating escape from the blazing sun during the summer months. Who doesn’t have a feeling of bliss and calm come over them just by hearing Ooty, Kodaikanal, Kotagiri, and Yercaud be mentioned? On your next visit to this multifaceted and spectacular region, add the following places to your itinerary for experiences you couldn’t have anywhere else.

Valparai

If you’ve fantasised about moving away from a pollution-choked city and into the embrace of a region with stunning landscapes, sprawling coffee, tea and cardamom estates, and a wildlife sanctuary bursting with animals, then look no further than Valparai.

The climate of Valparai is suitable for growing tea, coffee, and cardamom. Records show that coffee plantations first took root in Valparai in 1864 but they weren’t a profitable enterprise at the time. It took until 1890 for a tea and coffee estate established by a member of the British colonial government for things to really get going.

Start your journey with a visit to the lush plantations where you can go on tea and coffee tours. Then, explore the natural wonders by visiting the Upper Sholayar Dam and Aliyar Dam. Be enchanted by the ravishing waterfalls, including Monkey Falls, Birla Falls, and the Chinnakallar Falls. For a spiritual experience, visit the Balaji Temple and the Karamalai Annai Velankanni Church. Nature enthusiasts should head to the Anamalai Tiger Reserve to spot lion-tailed macaques, barking deer, and Nilgiri tahr. Finally, choose to stay in eco-friendly properties to help preserve this pristine environment.

Megamalai

This 1,500m high mountain range is a birdwatcher’s dream come true. Over 100 species of birds have been recorded in the “High Wavy Mountain”, as it used to be known, such as the great Indian hornbill, red-whiskered bulbul, spotted dove, and blue robin. The rare megabat species called Salim Ali's fruit bat can be found nowhere else. Keep your eyes peeled for sightings of gaur, wild boar, elephants, leopards, and tigers as clouds encircle “Paccha Kumachi”, or “green peak” as it’s known in Tamil.

The hill station has sprawling tea and cardamom estates where the very air is scented with the aroma of cardamom and cinnamon. You will notice that the swirling mist is ever present, which makes walking among the plantations feel like something straight out of a fairy tale. There are plenty of estate tours available for visitors to get up close and personal with the cardamom cultivation and extraction process.

Ariyalur

No visit to Tamil Nadu would be complete without admiring the historical monuments and geological heritage of Ariyalur. UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple sit alongside areas where archaeologists have discovered dinosaur fossils. The cement industry is the economic lifeblood of the place due to its rich limestone reserves. What often goes unnoticed is that cashew cultivation also plays a key role in Ariyalur’s economy. The district’s highly diverse agro-climatic conditions make it suitable for growing the crop. Meanwhile, the production and processing of cashews have generated employment opportunities for marginalised people, thus contributing to their upliftment. According to a 2019 research paper, cashew production has improved the livelihoods and socioeconomic situation of a cashew farmer more than those growing traditional crops.

So, whether you’re admiring the temple architecture of the Chola period, munching on locally-grown cashews or searching for a glimpse of the bar-headed goose at the Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary, every moment here is a delight.

Pollachi

If the summer heat has you reaching for tender coconuts, they most likely come from Pollachi. The town is 43km from Coimbatore and its location in the Western Ghats makes it a popular filming location with the Tamil movie industry due to its scenic vistas. It does a roaring trade in the sale of jaggery, coconuts, vegetables, and vanilla. Do not miss out on a visit to the Subramaniya Swamy Kovil Temple, the Thirumoorthy Temple, and the Maasani Amman Temple, which collectively attract thousands of worshippers every year.

Another highlight is the annual Tamil Nadu International Balloon Festival (TNIBF) in Pollachi at the beginning of the year. This four-to-five day extravaganza promises hot air balloons from several countries flying high in their unique shapes and colours. There are many activities for visitors, such as the "Balloon Run" with 3K, 5K, and 10K distances, a music concert, and tethered balloon rides.

Kanniyakumari 

The southernmost city on the Indian mainland is known for many things: its vibrant sunsets, the place where three major bodies of water meet, the 41m high statue of celebrated poet Thiruvalluvar, and, of course, its serene beaches. Kanniyakumari is the only place in the country from where visitors can watch the sunset and moonrise happen simultaneously during the full moon.

Besides tourism, rubber, coconut, banana, and mango production accounts for the prosperity of this seaside paradise. In fact, Kanniyakumari is the leading producer of natural rubber in Tamil Nadu, accounting for nearly 90 per cent of rubber plantations in its district. This is because the region’s soil and climatic conditions are suitable for growing the plant, such as keeping within temperatures of about 20°C-34°C and receiving approximately 2,000 hours of sunshine per year.

Kanniyakumari is a hub for the production of honey, too. The Marthandam Beekeepers Co-operative Society produces Marthandam Honey, a thick liquid packed with natural enzymes and antioxidants. They install their hives near forests with lots of floral diversity and store the extracted honey in wax-coated drums for several months. Strict quality checks ensure that the end product is certified with AGMARK. Bring home a pack of Marthandam Honey for your loved ones to enjoy and support the beekeeping industry.

Coonoor

Much like its neighbours on this list, Coonoor is home to the dense forests of the Western Ghats, charming heritage homes, bountiful tea estates, and cascading waterfalls. You will be spoilt for choice on what to do here, from trekking to Lamb’s Rock and the Dolphin Nose viewpoint, marvelling at the scenic vistas of the Ketti Valley viewpoint, taking photos of Catherine’s Waterfall and Law’s Falls, strolling along Wellington Lake’s shores, and listening to bird calls at Sim’s Park, where unique species of plants and shrubs draw bulbuls, babblers, and robins to its environs.

Many travellers are unaware that Coonoor boasts the birthplace of exquisite Nilgiri tea, a fact that contradicts its humble beginnings. Similar to the coffee industry of Valparai, its tea plantations faced initial challenges in taking root. Finding suitable land to grow tea proved to be a challenge alongside malarial outbreaks and the fear of wild animals. However, by the end of the 19^th century, viable tea plantations were established on about 3,000 acres of land around Coonoor. Once tea-drinking norms became established in India, the region quickly developed its world-class tea industry. Take advantage of the tea tours available here and learn about the art of tea cultivation, tea preparation, and drink to your heart’s delight at a tea-tasting session.

Find out more about the unique charms of Tamil Nadu on their website.