Saddled in the vicinity of the Western Ghats along the Kerala border, Pollachi — which means the land of natural wealth and prosperity — remains one of Tamil Nadu’s best kept tourism secret.
This, despite the fact that some 1,500 films have been shot there, mainly for the breathtaking frames it offers for dream sequences in the backdrop of some pristine settings. Or for that matter, its near-perfect weather all year round, thanks to the mountainous settings that the town is blessed with. Pollachi also boasts of the tender coconuts that grow in the town and which are both green and unique orange-coloured.
While Pollachi offers tourists a resort experience of tranquil solitude and de-stressing, there is so much more to explore in this town. Some of the best and little explored tea estates and nature treks in the southern quarters of India are in Pollachi’s neighbourhood — Valparai being among them.
The fact the town is well-endowed with nature’s bounty can also be gauged by the fact that dozen dams, large and small, surround it. As the recipient of both southwest and northeast monsoon, it has perennial water sources, and several waterfalls that make excellent backdrops for photographs.
Pollachi also caters to a wide range of a tourist’s needs, including spiritual, adventurous, ecological, wildlife, agricultural and wellness. It is also a perfect weekend vacation destination for families, travellers and corporate.
The famous Subramanya temple that is dedicated to Lord Shiva’s son Lord Kartikeya and is believed to have been built some 700 years ago is just an hour’s drive from Pollachi. It is believed that Kartikeya got upset when his elder brother Ganesha was given the golden fruit by their parents following a challenge which he claimed he had won, and flew away on his peacock from the Mount Kailash to the hilltop at Palani where the temple stands now.
Pollachi is also a good vacation option for those who want a relaxing holiday. There are many resorts in the town, book the one which suits your budget and requirements.
Coco Lagoon by the Great Mount Resort Group is a good choice for those who are looking for luxury, leisure and wellness under one roof. The resort with 32 luxurious rooms, suites and villas also offers ayurvedic treatments.
“Vaidya Sutras, our resort’s international ayurvedic wellness centre, has a technical collaboration with the legendary ayurveda family — Asthavaidyan Thaikkattu Mooss Vaidyaratnam of Kerala — and offers genuine ayurveda treatments,” says T. Sethupati, the managing director of the group.
“The centre treats various ailments such as migraine, obesity, digestive disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, respiratory disorders, hypertension, diabetes, arthritic problems and psoriasis. We also have a general wellness and beauty care programme.”
People with interest in wildlife, can travel to these two sanctuaries — the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park on the Tamil Nadu side that was recently converted into the integrated Anamalai Tiger Reserve, and the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, which is a reservoir of tranquil greenery ensconced in a valley that stretches into the Nelliampathi Hills range of Kerala.
A must-see during a visit to these sanctuaries is Top Slip, a picturesque location and an ideal picnic spot that offers elephant safaris. The place got its name during the British era, when a lot of its timber slipped down to the plains. Top Slip still has an elephant camp to watch pachyderms being groomed. The area has wild elephants as well.
If you still have any doubt in making Pollachi your next dream destination, just watch one of the 1,500 films that have been shot there. May be, you can also see one being shot during your visit.
GETTING THERE:
Pollachi is well-connected by air and rail transport. The nearest railway station and airport are at Coimbatore, in Tamil Nadu, less that 50 kilometres from the town.
Average hotel rates: Rs2,000 (Dh117) per person per night.
Average meal costs Rs500 (Dh29) per person.
