What to expect
Highlights
- Kolli Hills — A Ghats hill range (Kollimalai) reached via 70 hairpin bends, known for the Arappaleeswarar temple, the Agaya Gangai waterfall, and jackfruit and pepper estates.
- Agaya Gangai Falls — A roughly 300-ft waterfall on the Aiyaru river in Kolli Hills, reached by a steep descent of around 1000 steps.
- 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.
