Tiruvannamalai is a small town. This place is 85km from Vellore. This place is situated at the base of Arunachala hills. This is an important shaivite town, where Shiva is revered as, Arunachaleshwar,as aspect of fire.

Acording to legends, Shiva appeared as a column of fire on Arunachala Hills in Tiruvannamalai, creating the original symbol of the lingam.

In November/December on full moon, the KarthiKai Deepam Festival is celebrated. A huge fire is lit into a container of 2000 litres of ghee, and the fire blazes from top of the Arunachala hills for several days.

The Arunachaleshwara Temple is one of the largest temples in India, it covers an area of around 10 hectares. This temple was built in the 11^th century. It has four large gopurams, one at each cardinal point. The eastern gopuram is rising to 66m.

This is a small Ashram. This Ashram is only 2km from Tiruvannamalai . The devotees of Shri Ramana Maharishi mainly visit this place. He was a guru, who died in 1956 after nearly 56 years of meditation. Day visitors are permitted and the devotees who want to stay here have to give an application three months in advance.

HOGENAKKAL

HOGENAKKAL is a quiet village, which is situated in the forest of Melagiri Hills. This place is 170 km to the South of Bangalore. It is situated at the meeting point of Chinnar & Kaveri rivers. The Kaveri River develops into a series of impressive waterfalls, which provide the shooting place to many of the Indian films.

In spite of this, HOGENAKKAL is a peaceful place to get relief from the day to day life. The best time to visit this place is in July /August when the water is at its Peak. Your visit to HOGENAKKAL is incomplete without a ride in the little round boats known as Parisals. These boats are made from waterproof hides stretched over lightweight wicker frame. Another treat of HOGENAKKAL is an oil message. There are more than 100 masseurs over here who earn their living through this job.

YERCAUD

Yercaud is small town at an altitude of 1500 Mts. This hill station is situated on the Shevaroyan hill range which is 33km uphill from Salem district of Tamil Nadu. Coffee Plantations surround this hill station. This place has also got an artificial lake, which is a good place for boating. Yercaud is a good spot for relaxing and enjoying a nice holiday.

BIG LAKE

This lake is the main attraction of the Yercaud. This cool lake is surrounded by greenery from all sides. This lake is the biggest lake of the hill station. It is surrounded by a flower garden and well-wooded trees. In the center of the lake is an Island. There are many dears & Peacocks on this Island. You can also enjoy boating over here.

KILLIYUR FALLS

This fall is 300ft. high .The water comes through a stream all the way from the big lake. This place is situated a little far but it is worth walking to.

LADY’S SEAT

This place provides one of the best views of the Yercaud. From this place you get a majestic view of the ghats and all the distant places. You can also have a closer view of the plains below with the help of a telescope, which can be hired, at the Lady’s Seat. Towards the extreme right you can see the Mettur Dam that generates power out of the river Kaveri.

COURTALAM