Meghamalai & High Wavys:
In Tamil it is known as" Paccha Kumachi" meaning "Green Peaks" High Wavys'is locally referred to as Meghamalai- meaning hills covered with clouds.
The word 'High Wavys', used since the late 1920's invariably has been derived to describe the high undulating range of hills and mountains, steep and precipitous as seen from the plains.
Geographically High Wavys' forms part of the Varushanad Range of hills, a part of the Western Ghats.
Probably the earliest reference of High Wavys'is in the British Imperial Gazetteer Maps which dates back to 1920. The location was very approximate in the said maps, when land was being surveyed for Cinchona plantations by Messrs. E. Blatter and Prof. F.Hallberg. The essence of all the information derived from these maps, in the gazetteer's own words:
"The High Wavys'is the least known part of the hills of Madurai, and is infested with elephants and is the source of the Shurily river overrun with dark impenetrable forest" namely as Madras Tea Estate.
Pioneers to these mountains needed to wade through knee to chest deep water before undertaking a steep 10 mile trek through thick and dense Jungle.
Destination:
Welcome to Magamalai wild life sanctuary & High wayvs. Xenia focus on Tourism initiatives projects specified in less known tourism destination in guidelines with Government of Tamilnadu.
Megamalai:
As the name suggests, Megamalai is the kingdom where the clouds meet the mountains. It is arguably the most beautiful hill station in South India, known to a selective few and seen by even fewer people. This lovely place is bound to capture your imagination. Good place to stay and enjoy a lovely surrounding. One can also watch the animals roaming in the forests, which are close to Megamalai,
Megamalai, popularly called High Wavys Mountains, is a cool and misty mountain range situated in the Western Ghats in Theni district, Tamilnadu, India. It is a place of natural beauty dotted with cardamom plantations and tea estates. The place is situated at an elevation of 1,500 m above sea level and it is rich in flora and fauna.
Megamalai a 6000 acre tea plantation is located in Tamil Nadu about 43 kms off Chinnamanoor, on the Madurai - Kumili Interstate Highway. Today Meghamalai has become the cynosure of every tourist. The approach via Chinnamannur is more scenic. Only forest lodges and rest house are available at the hill top. Prior reservation and permission is an absolute must. For reservation contact 9894055554
Highwavys:
The Highwavys panchayat has a number of attractions like Manalar, Venniyar and Iravangalaru dams, Megamalai estate and Maharajamettu, where tourists view vast catchments of Thekkadi dam, Magarajothi hill of Sri Iyyappan temple and a bird's eye view of Theni district.
Highwavys is a view point that will afford a wonderful view of the entire mountains range of Varusanadu Hills. There few large private tea, spices and coffee plantations all around, notable include The Highwavys Estates owned by The Woodbriar Group, Ananda Plantations ,Ponsiva Plantations and Feildmede Estate have the largest holdings of plantations in Meghamalai,an artificial lake and plenty of scope for making leisurely walks.
Vellimalai:
At an altitude of 1650 m, Vellimalai forms the heart of Meghamalai. Silver-lined clouds gently resting on green hilltops is a common sight here. This region is also the abode of river Vaigai. The hill range also provides a wonderful view of the entire range of Varusanadu Hills. With tea and coffee estates, houses of plantation workers and an artificial lake, there is plenty of scope for enjoying the natural beauty.
Experience:
There are some places you think are beautiful, some much more than others and some that leave you feeling all comparisons are inane. Megamalai & Highwayvs will make all comparisons inane and leave you stupefied by its sheer beauty. The Views are breathtaking, the climate perfect. The serene lake and the beckoning mountains ranges are perhaps the best `real' description of paradise. Amidst the natural beauty, it is also about wildlife sightings, treks, and picturesque walks, camping out on a mountain cliff or bathing in a waterfall.
To wake up to the call of a distant elephant trumpet, to walk beside the lake for miles across undulating hills, to walk past an elephant skull to a private waterfall or to simply sit atop a grassy cliff and be in communion with mountain peaks all around, are some other things that will become forever locked within your memory for a long, long time. Whoever described paradise must have been here before!
How to get there/Access
By Air: Nearest Airport - Madurai, Tamilnadu is 130 kilometers, Trichy 190 kms and Coimbatore 290 Kms
By Train: Many trains pass through Dindigul, kodairoad, and Madurai, which is nearly 130-140 kilometers to Megamalai
By Road: Megamalai Road Condition is very pathetic. Travels vehicle /Tour operator they may not travel. You will find gutters in every 2 meters of the road.
Routes:
Madurai - Theni - Chinnamanoor - Megamalai/ Distance 130 Kms (Travel time - 4 hours)
Coimbatore - Pollachi - Periyakulam - Theni - Chinnamanur - Megamalai Distance : 294 Kms Travel Duration : 8 Hrs
Bangalore - Salem - Dindigul - Theni - Chinnamanoor - Megmalai / Distance (Travel time - 10 hours)
Chennai - Trichy - Dindigul - Theni - Chinnamanoor - Megamalai / Distance (Travel time - 12 hours)
To reach Maharaja Mettu: Theni - Chinnamanur - Then pazhanji check post- megamalai - highwavys - manalaar - venniyar - iravangalar - maharajamettu (Around 70 kms) a Airtel ,BSNL network is available in this region
To reach Vellimalai: Theni - Kana Vilakku - Kandamanur - Kadamalaikundu - Megamalai Range office - Kumanan Thozhu - Aranmanai Pudur - Koraiothu - Manjanuthu Forest Check post - Arasadi (Around 85 kms) tribal hamlet (a WILL phone is available in this Tribal hamlet)
Sightseeing / Tourist attractions
- Highwayvs Dam
- Highwayvs Lake
- Manalar Dam
- Deep Cumbum Valley and the villages
- Upper Manalar Estate
- Vattaparrai
- Venniyar Tea Estate
- Iravagalar Dam
- Maharaja Mettu - A bird's eye view
- Magarajothi hill View of Sri Iyyappan temple.
- Thekkadi View point
Trekking / Tourist attractions:
- Elephant Corridor -amazing point
- pothai pull medu
- Megamalai rain forest
- Manalar Water falls
- Thoovanam
- Game set Block no 27 - amazing point
- Vellimalai
Tea Estates and dams:
A 6000 acre tea plantation the largest plantation, the Highwavys Group, is a tea plantation owned previously by Hindustan Lever and today run successfully by the Woodbriar group.
Highwavys is a view point that will afford a wonderful view of the entire mountains range of Varusanadu Hills. There few large private tea, spices and coffee plantations all around, notable include The Highwavys Estates owned by The Woodbriar Group, Ananda Plantations, Ponsiva Plantations and Feildmede Estate have the largest holdings of plantations in Meghamalai, an artificial lake and plenty of scope for making leisurely walks. Kardana Coffee Estate is situated in the High Wavy Mountains
Six dams on the hill and originating place of Suruli falls near Cumbum town are popular attractions for tourists. From Manalar dam, one can view the deep Cumbum Valley and the villages of Theni district.
Long Mountain walks:
You can travel to nearby forest in the morning (ideally by 6.00 am ) and roam around, and another area is view point. It's the right place where you can see Cumbum town in Tamilnadu and water reservoir in thekkadi. It is not exposed/exploited (not sure which is correct, but both ways it is correct) hill station with less tourists, you will not find much tourists over there, it's mainly because of inadequate travel facility and condition of the road.
But it offers an excellent view of the tea, plantations. The rolling hills, the cool mountain and the breathtaking scenery here is ideal for trekking and long mountain walks.
Wild animals / Sightings:
Wild Gaurs and Elephants are commonly sighted across the few plantations but more so within the Highwavys Group of Estates. Being very close to the forest, a number of wild animals can be seen roaming here.
The most commonly seen animals are
Tiger, Leopard, Nilgiri Tahr, Gaur, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Sambar, Wild Boar, Porcupine, Nilgiri Langur, Lion-Tailed Macaque, Common Langur, Pea fowls, Barking deer, Indian Gaurs, Jungle fowl, Malabar Giant Squirrel. Bonnet Macaque, Sloth Bear, Grey Jungle Fowl, Smooth-Coated Otter and Flying Squirrel.
Resident and migratory elephants can also be seen wandering in groups here.
Bird watching:
Megamalai is also host to a wide variety of birds, mammals, reptiles and butterflies.
It is also an ideal place for bird watching. In the forests over 100 species of birds have been identified.
Megamalai Water Falls:
The Meghamalai ranges are also the birth place of the Megamalai fall. This fall descends from a stream originating from the hills. It is also known as the Clouds Land Falls and serves as the rendezvous of many wild animals. Megamalai falls are round-the-year falls that do not run dry. The originating place of Suruli Theertham (Suruli falls near Cumbum town) are popular attractions for tourists.
Tamil Nadu Forest Department is established the Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary in an area of 600 sq km of the forest in the division. The Sanctuary will serve as an excellent buffer to the Periyar Tiger Reserve and will also help in strengthening the conservation efforts in the Tea estates and dams.
Vellimalai:
Vellimalai (Silver Mountain, 1,650 m) area is a heart of Meghamalai. Silver-lined clouds seem to rest gently on green hilltops and nestled somewhere in this region is the place where the river Vaigai originates. This lovely place will give an opportunity to see wild animals and aesthetically and scientifically managed tea gardens.
To reach Vellimalai:
Theni - Kana Vilakku - Kandamanur - Kadamalaikundu - Megamalai Range office - Kumanan Thozhu - Aranmanai Pudur - Koraiothu - Manjanuthu Forest Check post - Arasadi (Around 85 kms) tribal hamlet (a WILL phone is available in this Tribal hamlet)
Interesting personalities:
Dr.K.S.Palanisamy IAS,
The District Collector,
Theni.
Around Megamalai:
- Munnar 100kms,
- Thekkadi 70kms,
- Kuttikkanam 70kms,
- Vagamon 96kms,
- Kodaikanal 125kms,
