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Thursday, May 26, 2016

Annamalaiyar Temple & View Point, Yercaud

Annamalaiyar Temple & View Point, Yercaud
Annamalaiyar Temple & View Point is located at a distance of 8 km from Yercaud Lake in the village of Thalaisolai, is a popular vantage point. The Temple is built at a height of 1400 m; the temple commands a panoramic view of the Shevaroys hills along with the Shervarayan temple, coffee plantations, spice gardens and orange groves.

The temple has nothing to do with this viewpoint but only adding an ingredient to its quiet, calm and scenic location with awesome views on the Shevaroys or Shervarayan Hills. The calm and serene surroundings make this view point a preferred picnic spot for the whole family. The more adventurous can explore the numerous trails by walking through the coffee and cardamom estates nearby.

Annamalaiyar Temple is a beautiful Shiva Temple with a single tower sculpted with colourful idols and a pyramid like lamp tower which is brightly painted in red. The lamp tower is lit on all full moon days in the evenings. This is the best time to visit this view point as one can enjoy this ritual as well. To get better views of the valley, climb up this lamp tower and you will not be disappointed.

Situated well within the city limits, cars and autos can be hired to reach Annamalaiyar Temple View Point. One can also visit Pagoda View Point, another spectacular vantage point located in the vicinity.

Named as Annamalaiyar Temple, for anyone it would remind Thiruvannamalai but it has no connection with the popular Siva temple out there which is renowned for the grand festival - Karthigai Deepam. Anyhow, perhaps, it seems to shares a custom of lighting lamp on the full moon day, similar to Thiruvannamalai Deepam that lit on the Annamalai Hill. Being a summer vacation, the children from the nearby villages were playing around the temple and some even take advantage of climbing the pyramid like lamp tower.

The temple is also a simple yet beautiful structure with one small and moderate towers decorated with idols and painted in various colors. There was also a pretty well on one corner of the viewpoint with great scenery at background; the courtyard of the temple has a nice lawn created by natural green.
The way up to the temple or viewpoint (one of the best views in Yercaud), was enveloped by quite green coffee and cardamom estates and the road was also narrow to allow only a vehicle to pass at a time.
Other Places of Interest in Yercaud
For brief details, please refer below link;