Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary |
About: |
Megamalai is located on the slopes of the Western Ghats, amidst the lush green Tea plantations and Cardamom estates. It is popularly called 'High Wavy Mountains'. It is a cool and misty mountain range and lies at a distance of 130 km from Madurai. A perfect place for nature lovers, its altitude is 1,500 m above sea level. The vegetation of the Meghamalai hills includes scrub forests at the foothills, stretches of tea and coffee estates, spice plantations of pepper, cardamom, cinnamon and the dense evergreen forest cover. There is a long-pending proposal with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department to establish the Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary on 600 km² of forest in the division. Priority tasks in the sanctuary should be the control of poaching and the use of pesticides, the elimination of ganja (Cannabis sativa) and the cultivation and scientific management of watersheds. The Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary can be an excellent buffer to the Periyar Tiger Reserve and Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary and can immensely strengthen conservation in the southern Western Ghats, the range of hills south of the Palakkad Gap. The originating place of Suruli Theertham (Suruli falls near Cumbum town) are popular attractions for tourists. Tamil Nadu Forest Department is planning to establish 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 South-Western Ghats. Being very close to the forest, a number of wild animals can be seen roaming here. Megamalai is also host to a wide variety of birds, mammals, reptiles and butterflies. 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, 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. It is also an ideal place for bird watching. In the forests over 100 species of birds have been identified. 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. Another important range around Megamalai is Vellimalai, also known as the Silver Mountain. |
Location info: |
Address:Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary,Virudhunagar,Tamil Nadu,India |
District:Virudhunagar |
Nearest City:Madurai |
Best time to visit: December to February |
Climate/Weather: |
Summers: Winters: Monsoon: |
History: |
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. |
Interesting things to do: |
Interesting things to Visit: |
Meghamalai Water Falls: Flora: Fauna: Great Indian Hornbills: Grizzled Giant Squirrel: Salim Ali's Fruit Bat: Hutton's pitviper: |
Mobile range info: |
How to reach? |
Nearest Railway Station:Madurai is Connected by rail via Madras with all the main places in India. |
Nearest Airport:Indian Airlines connect Madurai with Madras, Calicut and Bombay. Vayudoot Services also connect Madurai with Madras & Pondicherry. East West Airlines also connect Madurai with Bombay. |
Road Transport:Madurai is connected by good motorable roads to Madras (472 kms), Trichy (142 kms), Rameshwarm (139 kms), Kanyakumari (232 kms), Tirunelveli (151 kms), Kodaikanal (120 kms), Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (136 kms), Palani (122 kms), Thanjavur (223 kms), Bangalore (446 kms), Bombay (1454 kms). |
Nearest Visiting places: |
Meenakshi Temple: Vishnu Temple: Palamudhirsolai: Aruppukkottai: Thiruchuzhi: Sivakasi: Srivilliputhur: Rajapalayam: |
Nearest Petrol Pump: |
Petrol Pump:NH 7, Madurai, Tamil Nadu,India
Petrol Pump:NH7, Pasumalai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu,India |
Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation: |
Taj Garden Retreat:Madurai,Tamil Nadu,India,IndiaPh: 0452 2371601 Grt Regency:38 Madakulam Road, TPK Road, NH7, Palangana, Madurai, 625003 - 0452 2371155 Royal Court India:Madurai, Tamil Nadu,India- 045 2435 6666 The Madurai Residency:15, west Marret Street, Madurai - 652 001, Not Specified, Madurai,Tamil Nadu,IndiaPh:0452 4380000 Hotel Vijay:122, Tirupparankunram Rd, Vasantha Nagar, Madurai, Tamil Nadu,IndiaPh:045 22336321 |
Things to carry: |
Tips & Suggestions: |
Help Line/Phone Number: |
Police Station:
Police station:Virudhunagar, Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu,India Bazaar Police Station:SH 184, Virudhunagar, Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu,India Pandian Nagar Police Station:SH 184, Virudhunagar, Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu,India |
Nearest Hospital:
JKNurshing Home:272, A, Thiruchuli Road, Aruppukottai, Tamil Nadu,India,IndiaPh:04563 222941 Visaka Poly Clinic:#1 Katarapalayam,, T.P.K Main Road,, Madurai, Tamil Nadu,India,IndiaPh:0452 2338275 |
Society/Community Phone Number |
Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary |
Meenakshi Temple: |
One of the major tourist attractions of Madurai is Meenakshi Temple. Located at the center of the town, the Meenakshi Temple is an architectural marvel of 16th century. It is considered to be one of the most sacred temples. Everyday thousands of tourists from all over the world visit this Temple.Constructed by Vishwanatha Nayak in the year 1560, the temple is built in typical gopuram style with towering spires. The Meenakshi Temple it has 12 towers which rises to the height of 45 to 50 meters. The Thousand Pillar Mandapam is the major tourist attraction of Madurai's Meenakshi Temple..............more |
Vishnu Temple: |
Located at a distance from the Meenakshi Temple, another major tourist attraction of Madurai is the Vishnu Temple. The presiding deity of Vishnu Temple is called Azghar. It is believed that this is another form of Vishnu. He is believed to be Meenakshi's brother. During Chitrai festival a grand procession is carried from this temple to the Meenakshi Temple...........more |
Palamudhirsolai: |
Tourists can also visit Palamudhirsolai which is considered to be the abode of Lord Subramanya. There is a natural spring near this temple.Indian Holiday.com gives you online information on Tourist Attractions in Madurai or other places in India. We offer travel packages to many popular and special tourist destinations in India. Take advantage of the best rates for tour packages to these travel destinations...........more |
Aruppukkottai: |
This place is situated 20 kms from Virudhunagar. It is an important weaving centre and grocery trade centre.............more |
Thiruchuzhi: |
The name of the place is so because it was saved from being sucked into the earth during the flood. It is situated 33 kms from Virudhunagar. A number of sacred pools can be seen scattered here. The great saint Ramana Maharishi was born here...............more |
Sivakasi: |
This town of cottage industries manufactures safety matches and fireworks. It is also well known for litho-printing and calendar manufacture. More than 80% of the total3932 match factories can be found here. About 120 litho printing presses are also located here. This place is situated 25 kms from Virudhunagar...............more |
Srivilliputhur: |
The Vadabhadra Sayi templeThis is the most important tourist attraction because of the ancient Andal temple. Andal, one of the twelve Vaishnavaite saints called Alwars was born here. They are called Alwars because they are immersed in Vishnu Bhakti and Alwar means one who is immersed.The 60 metre tower of this temple has been portrayed in the emblem of the Government of Tamil Nadu. The Vadabhadra Sayi temple here has beautiful sculptures. The carvings are very delicate is more dominant in the brushing of feminine images, Andal`s hair style. The head ornamentation is a speciality of South India. Here, the images of Rathi, Swan, Parasakthi, a lady playing the Veena, a warrior waving his sword are wonderful examples of ornamentations in stones...........more |
Rajapalayam: |
This place is situated adjacent to the temple town of Srivilliputhur. It is the coolest place in the district, which is located almost on the Western Ghats. The dogs of Rajapalayam are well known for their fierceness.............more |