VALPARAI - A WONDERFUL PLACE TO VISIT AT LEAST ONCE IN A LIFETIME
The nature's gift - Valparai
Valparai is a hill station in Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu, India. It is located 3,500 feet above sea level on the Anaimalai Hills range of the Western Ghats, at a distance of 110 km from Coimbatore and 65 km from Pollachi. There are 40 hairpin bends on the way to Valparai. Major portions of the land in Valparai are owned by private tea companies.
The foot of the Valparai hills welcomes the tourist with a beautiful Aliyar dam, with a lovely park and a water falls, called Monkey Falls for a refreshing ice cold bath. The winding roads leads to loam’s View, which gives a beautiful view the dam and its surroundings. Climbing up the hills through a narrow road with greenish scenery on both sides is astronishing. Kadamparai dam, tiger valley and Carver Marsh view point are also some of the tourist spots on the way to Valparai.
As you reach closer to Valparai, the tea estates and waterfalls in Waterfall estate attracts the tourist.
After reaching Valparai town, lot of homes are available for stay.From the town, other tourist destinations like Sholayar dam, Koolangal river, Chinnakallar, Nirar dam, Congreve falls, Balaji temple, Karumalai Velankanni church, Iraichalparai falls, etc... are easily accessible.
Aliyar dam, kadamparai dam, Sholayar dam and Nirar dam are the four main dams located in and around Valparai.Three hydroelectric power stations are located in and around Valparai. They are Aliyar power house, Kadamparai power house and Manampolly power house.
Valparai has a high concentration of tea and coffee estates. Most of the people living here work in these estates. Some of the major plantation companies are TANTEA, BBTC, etc..
Schools, college and research institutes at Valparai help the estate employees children to get good education.
Valparai is rich in wild life with a variety of birds, reptiles, insects, monkeys, elephants, deer, wild goats, boars and leopards. The climatic condition and soil fertility in Valparai well supports plant growth. So, many ornamental plants and vegetables are grown here.
Route to Valparai
Coimbatore -> Kinathukadavu -> Pollachi -> Aliyar -> Valparai
Appproximate distance from Cochin to Valparai – 148 kilometers
Appproximate distance from Munar to Valparai – 154 kilometers
Appproximate distance from Kodaikanal to Valparai – 180 kilometers
Appproximate distance from Ooty to Valparai – 193 kilometers
Appproximate distance from Theni to Valparai – 236 kilometers
Appproximate distance from Bangalore to Valparai – 450 kilometers
Appproximate distance from Nagercoil to Valparai – 465 kilometers
Appproximate distance from Chennai to Valparai – 576 kilometers
Appproximate distance from Hyderabad to Valparai – 1019 kilometers
Nearest Railway Stations
Coimbatore - 105 km
Pollachi - 64 km
Palghat - 105 km
Tiruppur - 125 km
Kochi - 160 km
Nearest Airports
Coimbatore
Chennai
Kochi
Madurai
Bangalore
Nearest Bus Stations
Valparai
Pollachi
chalakudy
Nearest Tourist Spots
Munnar
Ooty
Kodaikanal
Yercaurd
Nearest Theme Parks
Black Thunder
Kovai Kondatam
Jolly Park
Wildlife
Valparai is a mid-elevation hill station. The tea plantations in Valparai are surrounded by evergreen forest. The region is also a rich elephant tract and is known to have many leopards.
The scenic drive to Valparai from Pollachi passes through the Indira Gandhi Wild Life Sanctuary noted for elephants, boars, lion-tailed macaques, gaur, spotted deer, sambar, and giant squirrels.
The area is also rich in birds, including the great horn bill. The Valparai range is also habitat the Nilgiri Tahr, an endemic wild goat. These mountain goats inhabit the high ranges and prefer open terrain, cliffs and grass-covered hills, a habitat largely confined to altitudes from 1200 to 2600m in the southern Western Ghats. Because of large-scale habitat destruction, they now exist only in a few isolated sites like the Anaimalai Hills.
On the way to Valparai you can see many wild animals like lion tailed monkeys, elephants, deer, wild goats, boars and leopards. Natives of Valparai are often attacked by leopard and elephants. A wide variety of reptiles and insects are also seen here.
Plants grown here
The climatic condition and soil fertility in Valparai well supports plant growth. So, People grow a wide variety of plants in their houses.
Ornamental plants like anthurium, orchids, roses, crotens, lillies, cactus and many other indoor and outdoor plants are grown here.
Many vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, carrot, beetroot, radish, turnip, tomato, beans, chilly, pumpkin, bottle guard etc.. and fruits like jack fruit, guava, orange, butter fruit, mulberry etc.. are cultivated by people for their personal use.
Tourist Attractions
Pollachi to Valparai route
Aliyar Dam and Park
Aliyar Reservoir is a 6.48 km2 reservoir located near Pollachi town in Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu. The dam is located in the foothills of Valparai, in the Anamalai Hills of the Western Ghats. It is about 65 kilometres from Coimbatore and 26 kilometres from Pollachi. The dam offers some ideal getaways including a park, garden and aquarium for visitors enjoyment. The scenery is beautiful, with mountains surrounding three quarters of the reservoir. Boating is also available here.
The Aliyar Dam was constructed during 1959-1969 across the Aliyar river, mainly for irrigation purposes. The project was commissioned in September 2002 to generate Hydro Electric Power. The reservoir includes 40 species of fishes belonging to 13 families, plus seven stocked species.
Monkey Falls
Monkey Falls is located on road connecting Pollachi and Valparai in the Anaimalai Hills range, in Coimbatore district. It is about 6 km from Aliyar dam. Monkey Falls is a famous and popular tourism spot. People visit Monkey falls as it is an outstanding scenic attraction.
Loam’s view point
It is located in the 9th hairpin bend on the way to Valparai. This gives a panoramic view of the Aliyar dam. You are lucky if you spot the endangered species, Nilgiri Thar.
Kadamparai Dam
Kadamparai Dam is located in the 19th on the way to Valparai. Entrance permission is necessary from the forest department. Many species are found in this region. Hydroelectric plant here is worth seeing.
Tiger Valley
Tiger Valley which is located on the way to Valparai provides a spectacular view of kadamparai and upper Aliyar projects. And also the view of the wind mills at Udumalaipet is mind blowing.
Carver marsh view point
This view point is located in Kavarkal estate on the way to Valparai. The statue located here is of Sir Carver Marsh, the father of Anamalai hills. This area is covered by mist almost throughout the year.
Valparai to Cinchona route
Koolangal River
Koolangal river is located in sirukundra estate, appromimately 3 kilometers from Valparai. The pebbles seen in the bank of the river looks beautiful.
Nirar Dam
Nirar Dam is located 15 kilometers from Valparai. The dam has been constructed as part of the hydroelectric power project. Nirar Dam, along with Sholayar Dam and Aliyar Dam are the three most important dams that are located in and around Valparai. The Nirar dam and its reservoir are located amidst lush green forests and hills.
Chinnakallar Dam
Chinakallar dam is located 16 kilometers away from Valparai. It is called as Cherrapunji of south India because of its second highest rainfall in the country. It has a beautiful falls located in between greenish dense forest, with tall majestic trees.
Valparai to Akkamalai route
Congreve falls
Congreve falls is located in Nadumalai estate. It is at a distance of 3 kilometers from Valparai. This falls is named after C. R. T. Congreve, one of the early explorers of the hill.
Balaji Temple
Balaji Temple is at a distance of 10 kilometers from Valparai. It is owned by Peria Karamalai Tea Industries. The temple is located at Karumalai estate, in the midst of beautiful mountains, evergreen forests and tea plantations. There is a children’s park near the temple. It is a place for the religious and the pious. Many enjoy peace visiting this temple.
Karamalai Annai Vellankanni Church
This Chruch is located at 10kms from valparai. It is located in between tea plantations which add beauty to the church.
Iraichalparai falls
The water originates from the springs in the Grass Hills and it forms the perennial Nadumalai River which flows through Valparai. Bathing in the falls is strictly prohibited as it provides drinking water to the surrounding region. There is also a check dam on the river. It is at a distance of 8 kilometers from Valparai, near the Balaji temple.
Valparai to Sholayar Dam route
Sholayar Dam
Sholayar Dam is situated 20 km from Valparai. It is the second longest and deepest dam in Asia. It lies in the border of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The Sholayar dam is a vital reservoir under the Parambikulam Aliyar Project and has a water storage capacity of 160 ft (49 m). The reservoir's overflowing waters are let into the Parambikulam Reservoir.
Grass Hills
Grass Hills is a beautiful site located around 15 km from Valparai and it is a part of Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary. With its lush green environment, the site offers the breathtaking views of the nature. Being a protected region, one needs to take permission from the wildlife warden to enter this spot. The area is rich in flora and fauna. The best period to visit this place is during May-January months. People with love to nature and interest in geology would forget themselves leaving the place and love the Ox-bow lakes found there.
Dams @ Valparai
Aliyar dam
The capacity of Aliyar dam is 6.48 km2. It is located near Pollachi town in Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu. The dam is located in the foothills of Valparai, in the Anamalai Hills of the Western Ghats. It is about 65 kilometres from Coimbatore. The dam offers a park, garden, aquarium, play area and a mini Theme-Park maintained by Tamil Nadu Fisheries Corporation for visitors enjoyment. The dam has mountains surrounding three quarters of the reservoir. Boating is also available here.
The Aliyar Dam was constructed during 1959-1969 across the Aliyar river, mainly for irrigation purposes. The project was commissioned in September 2002 to generate hydroelectric power.
The dam is around 2 kilometres in length. The highest inflow usually occurs during July and August. The reservoir has 40 species of fishes belonging to 13 families, plus seven stocked species
Kadamparai Dam
Kadamparai Dam is located in the 19th on the way to Valparai. To visit the dam, entrance permission from the forest department is necessary. Hydroelectric plant here is worth seeing.
Sholayar Dam
Sholayar Dam is situated 20 kilometres from Valparai. It is the second longest and deepest dam in Asia. The Sholayar dam is a vital reservoir under the Parambikulam Aliyar Project and has a water storage capacity of 160 ft (49 m). The reservoir's overflowing waters are let into the Parambikulam Reservoir.
Nirar Dam
Nirar Dam is located 15 kilometers from Valparai. The dam has been constructed as part of the hydroelectric power project. Nirar Dam, along with Sholayar Dam and Aliyar Dam are the three most important dams that are located in and around Valparai. The Nirar dam and its reservoir are located amidst lush green forests and hills.
Hydroelectric Power Stations around Valparai
Aliyar power house
Kadamparai power house
Manampolly power house
Manampolly power house
Homes and Resorts for stay
Green Hill Hotel Pvt. Ltd
Valparai Krishna Inn
Hornbill Castle
Misty Creek Home Stay
Pon Home Stay
Treat Hotel
British Bungalow
Plantation Guest House
Restaurant
Green Hill Hotel Pvt. Ltd.
Treat Hotel
Travel
Hospitals
Valparai Government Hospital
Ph:
Stanmore Garden Hospital, Stanmore estate
Ph:
Iyerpadi Garden Hospital, Iyerpadi estate
Ph:
Banks and ATM
IndianBank
State Bank of India
Union Bank
Repco Bank
All the above banks are located in the main road.
Post office
Valparai Post Office
(Opp. to Sacred Heart Church)
Police Station
Fire Station
Companies @ Valparai
Valparai has a high concentration of tea and coffee estates. Most of the people living here work in these estates. Some of the major Plantation Companies are:
Bombay Burma Trading Corporation
Tata Tea Estates Limited
Tea Estates India Limited
Woodbriar Group
Parry Agro Limited
N.E.P.C Tea Limited
Jayshree Tea Industries
Periya Karamalai Tea Estates Limited
Waterfalls Tea Estate Limited
Schools and Colleges
Schools
Sacred Heart Matriculation School
Beula Matriculation School
Sacred Heart Girls Hr.Sec School
Government School
College
Bharathiar University Arts and Science College
Research Centres
UPASI
UPASI (United Planters Association of Southern India) is a tea research institute located near Nirar Dam in Valparai, in the Anamallai Hills, Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu while the administrative/registered office located in Coonoor.
The Research Institute situated at 1,050 m above MSL, is 120 km from Coimbatore city, 76 km from Pollachi and 12 km from Valparai town. Decennial average (2001-2010) rainfall of the Valparai is 3969 mm. The mean maximum and minimum temperatures are 26.0 and 15.4°C, respectively; the mean relative humidity varies from 76 to 89%. The Experimental Farm of UPASI has 63.27 hectares of land of which 48.0 ha are planted with vegetatively propagated clonal teas. The Tea Board had also handed over to TRI another 36.42 ha adjoining the Tea Experimental Farm. A part of this area is planted with the available commercial Camellia species and other genotypes including ornamental Camellias. This collection of germplasm has been recognized as the National Active Germplasm Site (NAGS) by the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR).
The Tea Research Institute at Valparai has seven divisions namely Botany, Soil Chemistry, Entomology, Pesticide Residue, Plant Pathology & Microbiology, Plant Physiology & Biotechnology and Tea Technology.
Weather
Valparai news
