ORIGIN OF THE NAME – YELAGIRI

Yelagiri stands as an unique and splendorous creation of nature. The name-“Yelagiri” takes its dimension from various aspects. In olden days, it could not be definitely said that this name to the hills had been due to the growth of cardamom. The cardamom was produced much here. Is it the reason for the name “Yelagiri” No, we couldn’t say it definitely.

The ancestors who lived in this hill used to narrate a traditional story for the name- “ Yelagiri”. It is believed that the Lord Venkatasa perumal, while visiting the world, HE stepped with one of his feet on the rock here, suddenly the mountain lost its stability to bear the Lord’s weight. The people in the hill were frightened and taken aback and looking at each other, they shouted “yelo” and “kili”. Later the word “Yelokili”had changed into “yelagiri”.The sign of footprints of the Lord is still visible on the rock of Iyyappan neat Nilavur Village.
The annual rainfall of this hill is about 35 inches. It is also an important picnic spot during the summer vacation. The tourists visit this place mostly from march to June. The people come here in other seasons too. The important occupation of the people of this hill is agriculture. Bothe men and women participate equally in their work. Cutting the woodsforms the basic occupation. There are bus facilities to Yelagiri via Tirupattur and vellore. The distance from the foot hill to the top of Yelagiri is 14 km There are 14 hair pin bends.