Place of Interest

Valparai is one of the attractive scenic tourist spots in Tamil Nadu. It is located above 3,500 feet from the sea level on the Annamalai mountain range. It is a town located on the western ghats, 105 km away from Coimbatore. In Valparai, there are several tea and coffee estates, dams, water falls and 15 tea factories. Valparai totally gives us a wonderful natural scenery, which stands majestically with forest all around. Sholayar Dam in Valparai is a fantastic dam to watch. Other important places to visit around Valparai are Balaji temple, Puncha Mugha Vinayagar Koil and spread across tea estates.

Aliyar Dam was constructed in 1962 across the Aliyar river. It is located about 65 Km from Coimbatore and it is found on the foothills of Valparai. Here, Aliyar lake receives water from upper aliyar reservoir through hydro-electric power station in Navamali and the Parambikulam reservoir through a contour canal. Near Aliyar dam, a good-looking park, an aquarium and a mini theme park is being maintained by Tamilnadu Fisheries Corporation. Ambarambalayam Darga is situated at the banks of the river Aliyar

Water from Chinnakallar falls gets collected in this dam. It is located in eastern side of Valparai hills 20 km from Valparai town. There are two dams, upper Nerar and lower Nerar which is about 20 km and 15 km from Valparai.

It lies on the foothill of Valparai. It is about 5 km from Aliyar dam , the name Monkey Falls is given to this falls because of the overwhelming monkey population present at the falls

It is about 30 km from Valparai town. It is one of the longest dam in Asia. The length of the dam measures about 6-7 km. It lies in the border of Tamilnadu and Kerala. This dam is constructed in Chalakudy river. The beauty of Athirappilly water falls and Sholayar dam can be enjoyed on the way to Sholayar
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A view point overlooking the Aliyar dam

A view point overlooking the last of the thick Shola forests

It is a picturesque location in the Anamalai Hills. It is about 37 kms from Pollachi. This small town is an ideal picnic spot. Arrangements are available at Topslip to take tourists around the Sanctuary on elephant back or by van.Top Slip is a national park and a medical plant conservation area in Annamalai hills. It is famous for its elephant camp and its wildlife at Kollikamuthi. It got its name during British era, as lots of its timber lisped down to the plains below. For thrill seekers accommodation is also available in a tree house. There are bungalows available within the Sanctuary in order to view natural scenery and its wildlife.

Masaniamman Temple is situated at a distance of 15 miles away from Pollachi. This sanctified shrine attract large number of devotees.
The idol of Masaniamman is very powerful one and offer blessing to all devotees who have a stunt belief in her. Devotees also expect that Goddess will respond their prayer within three weeks. There is a stone image in the temple representing as a Goddess of Justice with the body of serpent.

Merchants meeting loss in their business, people hassled by enemies, women or men who lost their belongings take bath, sport holy ashes of the shrine, grind red chillies in stone grinder of the temple, smear the paste on stone of Justice called ‘Neethi Kal’.
In the sanctum, the extensive image of Masaniamman lying on her back measures about 15 feet long from head to foot. The gigantic image of Masaniamman is painted with flashy colours.

Here, one can see Goddess Masaniamman in the lying posture. The idol has four hands, two hands placed on the ground, two hands raised above. While the top left hands hold a skull and snake and other two hands holding drum and a trident.

On Tuesdays and Fridays devotees rush to this temple, during Krithigai and New Moon day they undergo special pooja.
There is a historical background for the configuration of this powerful temple. Anaimalai, a place near Pollachi was ruled earlier by the king called Nanan. He treated their people very badly. During his reign he had a very big mango tree in his farm on the riverside of Aaliyar, which was very special to him. He was so particular that nobody was permitted to use neither mangoes nor its leaves.
Once,a gang of girls went to river to take bath they noticed a mango floating on the river which belongs to Nanan's tree, one of the girl picked up and ate the fruit. Even after several pleadings made by her father, instead of excusing her the king sentenced her to death.
After some time villagers in that area formed a female statue in lying posture using sand in graveyard with the remembrance of innocent girl and worshipped as ‘Masani’. Later Kozhinkhosargal defeated king Nanan and destroyed the mango tree.
It is also believed that Lord Rama on his way in search of Seetha was attracted by this powerful temple and made meditation over here which adds glory to this temple. So, once you visit Pollachi don’t miss to worship Masaniamman.

It is situated 50 Kms from Pollachi and 20 kms from Udumalpet on the highway from Palani to Coimbatore. Thirumoorthy temple is situated at the foot of the hill adjacent to Thirumoorthy Dam. Importance of this temple is three Moorthy Idols originate in same place. 
A perennial stream flows by the side of Sri Amaralingeswarar temple and nearby there is Thirumoorthy falls. It is also believed that a few years ago Athari Maharishi along with his wife Anushiya devi lived here. Progressed by their prayer, Lord Shiva together with Brammah and Thiru Moorthigal(Vishnu) came in disguise to test their devotion. Beleaguered by their appearance the couple offered them tribute. 
The Thiru Moorthigal refused to accept their offerings as such and demanded that the offering should be made by Anushiya devi in State of undress. She accepted their demand and with her power of devotion she changed Thiru Moorthi's into 3 years old babies and fed them. On seeing the power of devoting Anushiya devi, the Thiru Moorthi's blessed the couple and hence the place is known as Thiru Moorthi hills.

The Amaravathy Sagar Crocodile Farm, established in 1975, the largest Crocodile nursery in India is nearby. Many Crocodiles of all sizes can be seen basking in the sun and suddenly making a stride or piled up on one another. Eggs are collected from wild nests along the perimeter of the reservoir to be hatched and reared at the Farm. Many adult crocodiles have been reintroduced from here into the wild.

Athirappally Waterfalls is located 78 kms from Kochi (Cochin), located at the entrance to Sholayar ranges, this waterfall is a popular picnic spot. Affording to the onlookers, one of the most bewitching sights, Athirappally Falls is about 80 feet high and located in the forest area. Combined with the greenery, it infuses freshness into any tired soul. The Athirapally Falls join the Chalakkudy River after plummeting a drop of 80 feet.

A tranquil and much needed escape from the troubles and stress of life. Let the soothing sounds take you to some of natures most relaxing places - the beautiful waterfalls of Athirampally and Vazhachal (Prounced as vaazhachaal).

The charm of the Athirampally and Vazhachal nature cannot be described by words, Starting calmly from the high ranges, and crashing through gorges overhung with trees, these waterfall is one of the best places in India to re-capture a real sense of the classical idea of the 'Picturesque' - not just calm and sweet, but something wild and natural.

Chitti Vinayagar Temple is owned by Jayshree tea Industries, Sholayar the temple is situated in a beautiful garden environment. It is very close to Valparai. Situated  at a distance of 5kms from Valparai.