Places to Visit in Kolli Hills

The 70-hairpin-bend hill-range base for the Arappaleeswarar temple, the Agaya Gangai and Masila falls and the plateau viewpoints.

Kolli Hills
Practical guide

Plan Kolli Hills

Who's going?Tailor Kolli Hills to your trip
DistrictNamakkal
RoleHill-range base
Time neededAllow a full day
Places to visit12
What to expect

Highlights

  • Kolli Hills — A broad inhabited Eastern Ghats plateau with multiple roads and visitor sites. No single visitor entrance is represented, so point directions are withheld.
  • Agaya Gangai Falls — A seasonal waterfall near Arapaleeswarar Temple reached by a long, steep stairway; access must be confirmed locally.
  • Arapaleeswarar Temple, Kolli Hills — A Shiva temple on the Kolli Hills plateau, one of the principal shrines of the hill range and a common stop on the Kolli Hills temple circuit.
  • Masila Falls — A waterfall on the Kolli Hills plateau, smaller and less visited than Agaya Gangai but a scenic stop for hill-circuit visitors.
  • Ettukai Amman Temple (Kolli Paavai) — An ancient hill shrine to Ettukai Amman, the eight-armed guardian goddess of the Kolli Hills, locally known as Kollipavai. The deity and the hills are referenced in Sangam-era Tamil literature. Pilgrims gather in large numbers on Amavasai (new moon) days.
  • Seekuparai Viewpoint — A popular viewpoint about 2 km from Semmedu, looking out over the forested valleys and ridges of the Eastern Ghats. It is a favoured spot for sunrise and sunset photography.
Timing

Best time to visit Kolli Hills

Weather in Kolli HillsSeasonal guide

Live forecast loads in your browser.

Today at Kolli Hills
Sunrise6:06 am
Sunset5:59 pm
Golden hour best light4:59 pm–5:59 pm
Blue hour after sunset5:59 pm–6:24 pm
Sun sets toward compass bearingW · 261°
Moon tonight🌒 Waxing crescent · 24%

Sun and moon are calculated for this location and shown in IST. Photography windows are the hour around sunrise and sunset; the sunset bearing is degrees clockwise from true north. Moon phase is accurate to about half a day.

The story

The story of Kolli Hills

Kolli Hills is a broad Eastern Ghats plateau of villages, farms, forests and viewpoints reached by a demanding ghat road—not a single attraction at one pin. Choose a specific stop and route before departure. A central map coordinate cannot represent the correct entrance to every waterfall, temple or viewpoint.

The ascent is known for numerous tight hairpin bends. It demands a roadworthy vehicle, an alert driver and extra time rather than a target speed.

Pepper, jackfruit, medicinal plants and village life are part of the inhabited landscape. Ask before photographing people or entering farms.

Weather can rapidly reduce visibility and waterfall or forest access can close independently. Build the day around two or three confirmed stops.

For the visit itself, allow a full day; an overnight stay is calmer. The best time is cool clear daylight outside severe rain. Select exact destinations before climbing. Check weather and return-driving conditions. Use low gear, avoid overtaking on blind bends and do not stop in the carriageway.

Before you go

Kolli Hills — at a glance

HoursThe hill region has no single opening time; each attraction sets its own access.

Entry: No single ticket covers Kolli Hills.

Getting here

How to reach Kolli Hills

Use the exact destination for each stop rather than the broad hill coordinate.

Getting around Kolli Hills

If you need step-free access, contact the site before travelling. Ask about a level entrance, steps along the route, the nearest drop-off point, seating and accessible toilets.

If you need help at Kolli Hills
112All emergencies (police · fire · medical)The single number to call in any emergency (ERSS).

Emergency numbers are verified against official government and state tourism sources. 112 works anywhere in India.

Nearby bases

Where to go from Kolli Hills

Namakkal Anjaneyar Temple, NamakkalFeatured: Namakkal Anjaneyar Temple
Town / base

Namakkal

The rock-fort city base for the open-air Anjaneyar Hanuman, the Narasimhaswamy and Ranganatha cave temples and the hilltop fort.

Namakkal Anjaneyar TempleNamakkal FortNarasimhaswamy Temple, NamakkalSri Ranganatha Perumal temple, Namakkal
Open Namakkal guide →
Ardhanareeswarar Temple, Paramathi VelurFeatured: Ardhanareeswarar Temple
Town / base

Paramathi Velur

The western Kaveri-belt town base.

Ardhanareeswarar Temple
Open Paramathi Velur guide →
Tiruchengode base
Town / base

Tiruchengode

Tiruchengode area of the district.

Kailasanathar Temple, TiruchengodeChenkottu Velavar TempleUchi Pillayar Temple, Tiruchengode
Open Tiruchengode guide →
Kanakapatti base
Town / base

Kanakapatti

Kanakapatti area of the district.

Sri Sundararaja Perumal Temple, Kanakapatti
Open Kanakapatti guide →
Rasipuram, RasipuramRasipuram railway town
Town / base

Rasipuram

A compact Kongu Nadu municipality between Salem and Namakkal, centred on a working railway and bus hub, two living temples, Valvil Ori’s local oral tradition and a famously layered bun parotta.

Kailasanathar Temple, RasipuramMariamman Temple, Rasipuram
Open Rasipuram guide →
Mohanur base
Town / base

Mohanur

Mohanur area of the district.

Paramathi FortBhimeswarar Temple, Paramathi-VelurKandhamalai Murugan Temple, Mohanur
Open Mohanur guide →
Vaiyapamalai base
Town / base

Vaiyapamalai

Vaiyapamalai area of the district.

Vaiyapamalai Murugan Temple
Open Vaiyapamalai guide →
Jedarpalayam Dam, KabilarmalaiFeatured: Jedarpalayam Dam
Town / base

Kabilarmalai

Kabilarmalai area of the district.

Jedarpalayam Dam
Open Kabilarmalai guide →
Stay · eat · do · rent · see · shop

Places in Kolli Hills

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Places to visit

The places themselves, around Kolli Hills

The best tourist places to visit in Kolli Hills — temples, viewpoints, lakes, heritage and nature, each with a full guide, how to reach it and what to see nearby.

Kolli Hills, Kolli Hills
PlaceKolli Hills

A broad inhabited Eastern Ghats plateau with multiple roads and visitor sites. No single visitor entrance is represented, so point directions are withheld.

Open guide →
Agaya Gangai Falls, Kolli Hills
PlaceAgaya Gangai Falls

A seasonal waterfall near Arapaleeswarar Temple reached by a long, steep stairway; access must be confirmed locally.

Open guide →
Arapaleeswarar Temple, Kolli Hills, Kolli Hills
PlaceArapaleeswarar Temple, Kolli Hills

A Shiva temple on the Kolli Hills plateau, one of the principal shrines of the hill range and a common stop on the Kolli Hills temple circuit.

Open guide →
Masila Falls, Kolli Hills
PlaceMasila Falls

A waterfall on the Kolli Hills plateau, smaller and less visited than Agaya Gangai but a scenic stop for hill-circuit visitors.

Open guide →
E
Ettukai Amman Temple (Kolli Paavai)
No photograph yet
PlaceEttukai Amman Temple (Kolli Paavai)

An ancient hill shrine to Ettukai Amman, the eight-armed guardian goddess of the Kolli Hills, locally known as Kollipavai. The deity and the hills are referenced in Sangam-era Tamil literature. Pilgrims gather in large numbers on Amavasai (new moon) days.

Open guide →
Seekuparai Viewpoint, Kolli Hills
PlaceSeekuparai Viewpoint

A popular viewpoint about 2 km from Semmedu, looking out over the forested valleys and ridges of the Eastern Ghats. It is a favoured spot for sunrise and sunset photography.

Open guide →
S
Selur Viewpoint
No photograph yet
PlaceSelur Viewpoint

One of the highest viewpoints in the Kolli Hills, overlooking mist-covered valleys and rolling ridges. Selur Nadu is historically associated with the Sangam-age chieftain King Pari of this region.

Open guide →
K
Kolli Hills Botanical Garden
No photograph yet
PlaceKolli Hills Botanical Garden

A landscaped garden about 3 km from Semmedu with a rose garden, herbal park, children's park and eco-friendly cottages, along with its own viewpoint. It is one of the main organised attractions on the hills.

Open guide →
K
Kollimalai Boat House (Vasalurpatty Lake)
No photograph yet
PlaceKollimalai Boat House (Vasalurpatty Lake)

A boating facility on an artificial lake at Vasalurpatty, ringed by dense greenery and boulder-strewn islets. The lake holds water year-round, making pedal and row boating a popular family activity.

Open guide →
S
Siddhar Caves
No photograph yet
PlaceSiddhar Caves

Centuries-old caves believed to have been used by Siddhars, traditional Tamil medicine practitioners and ascetics, for meditation. Narrow chambers, carved stone steps and spiritual carvings can still be seen.

Open guide →
Namma Falls (Namma Aruvi), Kolli Hills
PlaceNamma Falls (Namma Aruvi)

A small, secluded waterfall reached by a short walk from the road, surrounded by forest and rocky terrain. Far quieter than Agaya Gangai, it makes a peaceful bathing and picnic spot.

Open guide →
T
Tampcol Medicinal Plant Farm
No photograph yet
PlaceTampcol Medicinal Plant Farm

A medicinal plant farm run by the Tamil Nadu government agency TAMPCOL, growing herbs and shrubs used in Siddha, Ayurveda and Unani medicine. The Kolli Hills have long been renowned for their medicinal flora.

Open guide →
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Read before you go

Kolli Hills guides, stories & itineraries

Stories & history of Kolli Hills

Written about Kolli Hills itself — its history, its legends and the arguments about them.

Nearby in Namakkal

Wider reading from Namakkal. The stories about Kolli Hills itself are above.

Tamil Nadu-wide guides & itineraries

Route-level itineraries and practical guides for the rest of the state.

See all 18 Namakkal guides & stories →

Map

Where things are in Kolli Hills

FAQ

Kolli Hills travel FAQs

Where is the Kolli Hills entrance?

There is no single entrance; it is a large inhabited hill region with several approach roads and attractions.

Can every sight be covered in one day?

No. Choose a short route and leave time for the ghat road.

What are the best places to visit in Kolli Hills?

Top places to visit in Kolli Hills include Kolli Hills, Agaya Gangai Falls, Arapaleeswarar Temple, Kolli Hills, Masila Falls, Ettukai Amman Temple (Kolli Paavai), Seekuparai Viewpoint, and more — each has a full guide with how to reach it and what to see nearby on this page.

What is the best time to visit Kolli Hills?

November to February is the coolest, most comfortable season to visit Kolli Hills and the rest of Tamil Nadu. April to June is very hot, and the October–December north-east monsoon brings the delta its main rains.

Photographs: Rangan Datta Wiki (CC BY-SA 4.0), Amara Bharathy (CC BY-SA 4.0), Nadinviki (CC BY-SA 4.0). Wikimedia Commons.

Image credits