Between hectic weekends and slogging weekdays at office, managed to pull up a weekend to relax !
Having been thought about the destination for quite some time, decided July to be right time to visit this place and booked tickets.
Dates :: July 28 and 29, 2012
Trip :: Chennai - Cumbum - Megamalai - Cumbum - Chennai
Tripmates :: Karthik, Premkumar, Harish P, Sanjeev, Ilangathir
Started on Friday evening through TAT, reached Cumbum on morning. Reached Premkumar home and had an amazing welcome :-), and great hospitality. After packing breakfast, we started in a 4x jeep. Again, arranged by Prem's family. We went to Suruli falls for a bath. Quite disappointed with the water flow and too much of people (that Saturday was something festive in the nearby temple). Gulped the breakfast and collected Lunch from Prem's home, started the ride towards Megamalai through Chinnamannur.
Definitely, once you reach Chinnamannur, you can never site a decent road until you return back ! Started the uphill journey and all we could see was one bike following us and none on either way ! The trees and soil were quite dry and the so called road was really breaking our back ! In fact, we felt tired and sort of felt bad about the decision to make it to Megamalai. The sign board says 29 kms from Chinnamannur, but, certainly, it was much more. Starting around 11:30, after a ride of 90 minutes, we felt moisture filled air and suddenly, the climate and scenary changed. We decided to stop inbetween and felt the rich flora around us. Once we crossed the Megamalai village, the REAL Megamalai started.
We soon reached HIGHWAVYS DAM around 3:30 PM. Premkumar had booked us a cottage (IB) at the Highwavys dam. The view from the cottage was one of the spectacular views. As the room got delayed as someone did not check out, we were directed to goto Thoovanam Dam and return.
Next morning, having booked breakfast in the mess, we started the day trip at 8 AM; towards the final tip of Megamalai - Eravangalar DAM.
We were directed to go through the banks of the river, as there was not water, which was much better then the roads and a shortcut. What a scenic drive ! Saw Manalar dam on the way.
WOW !!!!!!!!! What a SCENIC PLACE .... VIRGIN MOUNTAINS !!!!!! UNTOCUHED BY COMMERICALs !!
30 mins ride from the Highwavys Dam, we reached THOOVANAM dam. The dam was a class place and the other side was the end of a hill - the water falls provided water to Suruli. The cold wind and the clouds, made us realize we were really in MEGAMALAI. With no heart to leave the place, we were forced to return back to make sure we get our rooms.
The rooms were so clean and amazing few. We checked-in and had our lunch around 6 PM ! :-). There is only one mess - Petchiamman Mess. No other sources for food. So, book dinner/breakfast/lunch as early as possible. Only if booked, you get food and they are so strict ! Food is okay !
After having food at 6 PM, we walked inside in Highwavys dam and felt the cold wind and amazing surroundings for next 2 hours. After that, the wind was unbearable and so cold. We were in our shorts and did not have proper winter clothing. Thanks to good beddings in the IB, we had a good sleep until 3AM. The strong winds were getting stronger and the sound was scary. Couple of us woke up and FELT the wind !
After a 90 mins drive, we reached Eravangalar Dam. YES ! We saw Heaven for some minutes ! Mild sunshine for 2 mins, sudden heavy rain for few mins, slight drizzle for few mins, heavy clouds for few mins, slight clouds and mild drizzle for few mins, and sunshine is back ! Just see the photos below ... I cannot explain what we saw !!!
AWESOME !!! FREAKING AWESOME !!
We spent almost an hour there and started our journey back. We heard about Vattaparai and started our jeep drive towards ! We drive for 30 mins and felt we were very tired and sort of missed the route as well. We decided to return back and dont know what we missed there....
Check-out from IB and return back. We made it to Suruli falls again to refresh after the return journey... filled the stomach with Aapams and Idlis @Prem's family courtesy and returned to Chennai.
Tips :: NEVER MISS MEGAMALAI ! Bookings at IB requires someone to backup... Only one eatery.. so plan accordingly ! Get winter clothings also.. it may help !