Kolli Hills also named as the Kolli Malai, is located in Namakkal district of Tamil Nadu in India. Kolli Hill is  a small mountain range with a height of 1300 meters. Kolli Hill is 28 km long and 19 km wide. Kolli Hills covers almost 280  km² area. These hills are part of the Eastern ghats. Eastern ghat is parallel to the east coast of the South India. Kolli Hills has retained its natural beauty, as it is not much popular for tourism.

It is named after the Goddess Ettukai Amman. It is said that this goddess guards Kolli Hills from  the evils. This goddess attracts the pilgrims every year. Valvil Ori was the king in 200 A.D. Tamil literatures such as Natrinai, Kurunthogai, Pathitrupathu, Purananooru, Agananooru has details about Kolli Hills and the King.

History

Valvil Ori ruled this region in 200 A.D. It is said that, Ori was great archer and killed  a lion, deer, bear and a boar with a single arrow. Every year, the Tamil Nadu Government sponsors festival named after him. Kolli Hills are named after the Goddess Kollipavai (Ettukki Amman), the local deity, who guards the hills. As per one legend, when sages choose Kolli Hills for their penance, then evils came there and disrupted their penance. As per the myth, sages prayed to the goddess Kollipavai, who guarded the sages. Still, the people worshipped Kolli Hills. Kolli Hill is full of herbs. It is said that, the author of Arthashastra, Chanakya was born in this region. As per the legend, Kolli Hill is the part of Madhuvanam, which is reserved by Sugriva in the epic Ramayana.

Geography

Kolli Hills within the coordinates Longitude 78° 17’05’’ to 78° 27’45” and north latitude 11° 55’05” to 11° 21’10”. Kolli Hills are like natural boundary between Chola Nadu and Kongu Nadu.

The Varatar and Aiyar are the major rivers near Kolli Hills. Various streams originate from these hills. A ghat road which is used to reach Kolli Hills, has 70 hairpin bends. Karavalli is the village at the foot of Kolli Hills. It is 55 km distance from Namakkal to the Hills, which includes 26 km ghat road.

Environment

The hills are covered with forests. Kolli Hills are known for plants and medicinal herbs, which are grown on hill slopes. Tea, coffee, pineapple, Jackfruit, banana, guava, black pepper, honey and rice are the main farm products. The Pulianjolai, Kundur Nadu and Ariyur Solai are the reserve forests, which are controlled by Tamil Nadu government. Once elephant and tigers were seen commonly in this area, but are rare nowadays. Wild animals such as bears, wild dogs, rabbits, Jackal, monkeys, jungle cats sand hares seen there.

Tourism

Hindu temples and waterfalls on Kolli Hills are the attraction places for the tourists. Tourism festival is celebrated in August month. Kolli Hill is the attraction point for the trekkers and nature lovers. Kolli Hills are not commercialized, as compared to other hill stations in Tamil Nadu. It is less polluted, unique mountain ranges. Six cottages are constructed at Semmedu for tourists.

Agaya Gangai is the popular waterfall located near the famous Shiva temple, known as Arapalleeswarar temple. Places like the Masila falls, cave house, boat house, botanical garden are the newly developed to encourage the tourism. Viewpoint, the Herbal farm, telescope house and Pineapple farms are the tourists attraction places.

Places to See

Agaya Gangai

It is a beautiful 300 foot waterfall of the Aiyaru river near Arappaleeshwarar temple. It is surrounded by mountains from all sides. It is a great spot for trekking. The water touches the various herbs in Kolli Hills place. The pleasant and cool breeze keeps everyone fresh.

Arppalli Iswarar Temple

This 12th century temple is located on the Aiyaru stream and is dedicated to Arppalli Iswarar. As per the myth, the Arppalli Iswarar resides as the fish of the river Aiyaru. The temple is also known as Fish temple.

Namakkal Rock Fort

It is 9th century fort. It has 2 cave temples dedicated to Ranganathswamy and Narasimhaswamy. There is an 18 feet Hanuman statue on the fort.