KALVARAYAN HILLS
AT
VILLUPURAM
Kalvarayan Hills is located in the villupuram District of Tamilnadu
State of Inda. And these hills are situated 150 kms. Northwest of Chidambaram,
and spread over an area of 600 sq.kms. These hills offer a temperate climate
and quiet solitude.
There is a botanical garden on these hills. These hills also have two
waterfalls. The area is ideal for those interested intrekking. Kalrayan Hills-
It is one part of the Eastern ghats, lies on the western side of the
Kallakurichi Taluk.
This area spread over an area of 600 sq. kms. approximately with the
height ranging from 1000 ft to 3800 ft from the sea level.The History of
Kalrayan hills with its Jagirdars run back to the time of Krishna Deverayar the
Emperor of 'Vijaya Nagar Kingdom'.
The emperor Krishna Deverayar given the rights to the tribes to enjoy
this land but imposed many taxes on them. About the hill tribes it is said that
warriors belonging to 'KARALAR' community had come from Kanchipuram and settled
in kalrayan hills.
After sometimes they over ride the tribal people called 'Vedar' (hunter)
and married their wives. The communities of karalar and vedar who at present
are called 'Malayali' and they call themselves as 'Goundars'. Kalrayan hills
Possesses innumerable tourism Potentialities like water falls, jungle streams,
rivers and rivulets and lovely jungle walks.
The place is a veritable paradise for trekkers. It is also called as
'Poor man's hill station' of Tamil Nadu. Every year the District Administration
is conducting the Summer Festival to create the awareness among the tribes.
By Air
Tiruchirapalli is the nearest airport which is 175 km away.
By Train
Villupuram is the adjacent railway station where one can alight to get
to Kalrayan Hills. Villupuram is easily accessible from Pondicherry and Chennai
by train.
By Road
Kallakurichi is the nearest city. It is situated 56 km from Kalrayan
Hills. Frequent Buses are available from Kallakurichi and Villupuram. Road
Distance from Salem to Kalrayan Hill Forest: 71 km (29 miles)
