Kolli Hills

Kolli Hills or Kolli Malai (Tamil: கொல்லி மலை) is a small mountain range located in central Tamil Nadu in Namakkal district of India. The mountains are about 1000 to 1300 m in height and cover an area of approximately 280 km². The Kolli Hills has 72 hair pin bends to reach the top of the hills. The Kolli Hills are part of the Eastern Ghats, which is a mountain range that runs mostly parallel to the east coast of South India. The mountains are relatively untouched by commercial tourism and still retain their natural beauty.


Origin of the name

These mountains were sometimes known as "Kolli Malai", the "Mountains of Death". The reason is that early literature records the existence of an image called Kollippavai on top of these hills. This image was believed to represent the spirit of a maiden who lured wayfarers by her beauty and then killed them.

Historical References

Water falls in Kolli Hills

The Kolli Hills are featured in several works of classical Tamil literature such as Silappathigaram, Manimekalai, Purananuru and Ainkurnuru. The region was ruled by Valvil Ori around 200 A.D., who is praised as one of the seven great philanthropists of ancient Tamil Nadu. His valor and marksmanship are sung by several poets, and his exploits are a popular part of folklore. Ori is said to have killed a lion, bear, deer and a boar with a single arrow.

The hills are said to be guarded by Kollipavai also called as "Ettukkai Amman", the local deity. According to legend, the sages chose Kolli hills when they were looking for a peaceful place to do their penance. However, the demons invaded the hills to disrupt the penance when the sages began their rituals. The sages prayed to Kollipavai, who according to the myth, chased away the demons with her enchanting smile. The KolliPavai hills is still worshipped by the people here and her smile is revered. The mountains have several mythological legends associated with them, and often come across as an eerie place in contemporary tales due to the unexplored and less traveled terrain. even at some places one can hear the presence of saptha kannigal. this mountain is full of herbs which retains health and vigour. kolli malai is kollum malai, actually it kills almost all diseases and old age.

Tourism

Two viewpoints - one at Seekuparai and another at Selur Nadu - are being developed to encourage tourism. As of 2007, creation of a park and formation of an approach road to the Seekuparai viewpoint were nearing completion. The government maintains a pineapple research farm where hybrid varieties are created. Research about medicinal plants is also pursued on these mountains.The government holds a tourism festival in August.

Kolli Hills has been the top choice for nature lovers, hiking enthusiasts, trekking clubs and meditation practitioners among hill stations in Tamil Nadu. In comparison to other hill stations in Tamil Nadu, Kolli Hills is not commercialized, less polluted and offers unique mountain ranges. The district administration has recently developed a botanical garden, Boat house, Cave house, New waterfalls called Masila Falls. The administration also celebrated "Ori festival" with lot of cultural events.

Accommodation

There are a few Resorts/Lodges that are available. A well known resort called "Nallathambi Resorts" has been operating for the last 15 years. It is situated in the highest point of the hills and offers medium and high end budget accommodations. Recently it underwent a thorough renovation/refurbishing.

Arrow Mansion is Located Near Semmedu Bus stand, which is the heart of Kolli Hills. Arrow Mansion is very economic and adjecent to Busstand.


"PA Holiday Inn" is the most preferred star resort located in semmedu providing quality services in kolli hills, operating for more than 15 years. They provide wide range of accommodation options both for family (small, medium or large) and groups (Corporate or private - any size).

Kolli Hills and Surrounding Places
Sky Ganges

Under the foot hills of the Kolli Hills there are so many Small and Big Towns existing. From these places the Kolli Hills is visible in a panoramic view and the climatic conditions of these places is influenced by the climatic conditions of the Kolli Hills. Following are the few Towns surrounding the Kolli Hills: --- Namakkal, Sendamangalam, Kalappanaiyakkan Patti, BeluKurichi, SingalandaPuram, Rasipuram, Namagiri Pettai, Thammam Patti, Koppampatty, Thuraiyur, Pulianjolai, Thathaiyankar Pettai and all these places are well connected by frequent bus services.

People of Kolli Hills come down by foot with their produces to the foot hills of Kolli Hills and they sell their produces and go back after buying their required materials. This type of activities take place in few places like, Karavalli, Belukurichi, Thammampatti, Pulionjolai. People from various surrounding places of Tamil Nadu come to Belu Kurichi to buy the products of Kolli Hills.