Situated on the majestic western ghats, it is located in the Theni district of Tamil Nadu. The hills are at a height of 1,500 meters above sea level. It has vast tea and cardamom plantations, extremely stunning views, gushing waterfalls, serene weather, and, above all, fewer footfalls.

The top 5 places to visit in Megamalai

• Chinna Suruli waterfalls
• Murugan and Mangaladevi temples
• Shanmuganathi, Manalar, and Vaigai dam
• Meghamalai and Maharajamettu’s viewpoints
• The tiger reserve and wildlife sanctuary

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Chinna Suruli waterfalls

It is a small ‘Suruli waterfall’ with two tiers rushing down the slopes of the Meghalamalai hills. It is different from that of the ‘Suruli Falls’ spotted in the Cumbam district. If you’re lucky, you can spot some wild animals on the way to the waterfall. It is recommended to visit the attractions between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. to avoid wildlife dangers.

Murugan and Mangaladevi temples

You can find the Murugan temple atop the hill station. The primary deity is Lord Muruga. There is also another temple called Mangaladevi Temple a few kilometers away, which was built on rocks.

Shanmuganathi, Manalar, and Vaigai dam

The Meghamalai Hills houses around 5–6 dams and the most important of them are these three dams. Shanmuganathi Dam is found in the foothills and was built on the Shanmugha River. This is one of the important tourist places in Megamalai. Whereas Manalar dam is a man-made one, which can let you admire the scenic beauty of tea estates in the Theni and Cumbam places. Comparatively, Vaigai Dam is bigger and was built on the famous Vaigai River. Indeed, it is a wonderful place for families to picnic.

Meghamalai and Maharajamettu’s viewpoints

These viewpoints give a panoramic view of the cloud-enclosed green peaks, valleys, lakes, tea plantations, the town, etc. And it is the best spot for photography—one of the activities to do in Megamalai.

The tiger reserve and wildlife sanctuary

These attractions are perfect for family tourists with kids. The Meghamalai Tiger Reserve is the state’s fifth reserve. You cannot miss the tiger safari when visiting here. The Srivilliputhur Wildlife Sanctuary is also connected, and hence you can enjoy spotting deer, elephants, big cats, and other wild animals.

Off-beat hill station with the leading Travel agency tour packages!

Megamalai tourism: Frequently asked questions

1. Is one day sufficient to visit all these places?

Definitely, one day won’t suffice to cover all the above-listed places. At least you have to spend two days visiting a couple of dams, temples, the sanctuary, and the waterfalls. A one-day road trip is also possible, in which you can visit one or two attractions along the way.

2. Which airport is nearby?

The closest airport to Meghamalai is Madurai International Airport, which is around one hundred and thirty kilometers away.

3. Which month is best for Megamalai?

December and January are the two best months to visit this picturesque hill station. However, you can enjoy the cool climate throughout the winter months between October and March.

4. What is the other name for this hill station?

The popular name is “High Wavy Mountains.” But local people in Tamil Nadu call it “Pacha Kumachi.” The word ‘Pacha’ means green and ‘kumachi’ means peaks or mountains.

5. What is the best time to visit Megamalai?

Visiting this place in winter can take you to a paradise on earth. The cold weather allures each one of you and ensures you leisurely visit all the attractions and enjoy a relaxing trip. The summer season can be considered but please avoid the monsoon months.

6. Is it safe to visit this mountain?

Meghamalai is totally a safe place. The only thing that you have to be cautious enough about is elephants, as they can be spotted often on the roads or hairpin bends. Having said this, forest officers and supporting staff can help you wherever you are.

7. What is Megamalai famous for?

When it comes to fauna, it is known for elephants and tigers. With respect to flora, the hills are lush green with virgin forests. Besides, it is famous for a handful of dams, age-old temples, and pristine waterfalls.

Important points to note

The weekends are listed month-wise in this article for easy reference.
The long weekends listed below are truly long, with a mix of national holidays, festivals, etc.
All these are promising mini-vacations. So, plan your trip well ahead and cherish the whole year with fun and frolic.
This list does not include the stranded public holidays occurring in the middle of the week.
This is a complete list of long weekends of 2024 that exclude the 2024 New Year’s weekend.

January 2024: 2 weekends
Makar Sankranti or Pongal
Dates: 13th – 15th January
Days: Saturday – Monday

Republic Day
Dates: 26th – 28th January
Days: Friday – Sunday

February 2024: No weekend

March 2024: 3 weekends
Maha Shivratri
Dates: 8th – 10th March
Days: Friday – Sunday

Holi
Dates: 23rd – 25th March
Days: Saturday – Monday

Good Friday/Easter
Dates: 29th – 31st March
Days: Friday – Sunday

April 2024: 1 weekend
Eid-ul-Fitr
Dates: 6th – 9th April
Days: Saturday – Tuesday
(You may have to take a day off on Monday as Eid-ul-Fitr falls on Tuesday.)

May 2024: 1 weekend
Buddha Purnima
Dates: 23rd – 26th May
Days: Thursday – Sunday
It is a 4-day-long weekend in India. But you may have to take a day off on Friday as Budhha Purnima falls on Thursday.

June 2024: 1 weekend
Eid al-Adha or Bakri-Id
Dates: 15th – 17th June
Days: Saturday – Monday

July 2024: No weekend

August 2024: 2 weekends
Independence Day & Raksha Bandhan
Dates: 15th – 19th August
Days: Thursday – Monday
It is the next long weekend in India, with four days, provided your organization considers Raksha Bandhan an optional holiday.

Janmashthami
Dates: 24th – 26th August
Days: Saturday – Monday

September 2024: 2 weekends
Onam & Ganesh Chaturthi
Dates: 5th – 8th September
Days: Thursday – Sunday

Eid Milad Un Nabi or Id-E-Milad
Dates: 14th – 16th September
Days: Saturday – Monday

October 2024: 1 weekend
Dussehra
Dates: 11th – 13th October
Days: Friday – Sunday

November 2024: 2 weekends
Diwali
Dates: 1st – 3rd November
Days: Friday – Sunday
(You may have to take a day off on Friday as Diwali falls on Thursday.)

Guru Nanak Jayanti
Dates: 15th – 17th November
Days: Friday – Sunday

December 2024: No weekend

FAQs

1. How to plan a long weekend in 2024?

The long weekends are meant to be enjoyed with your family, friends, and colleagues. So, don’t miss even a single long weekend. Alternatively, if you’re thinking of relaxing on the sofa at home or binge-watching Netflix, that could be the worst decision. Just plan your weekend, go out, breathe fresh air, have some fun, vent out your stress, and return with full rejuvenation and energy to resume your work. This is how a long weekend needs to be planned.

2. How many long weekends are there in 2024 India?

Out of the 52 weekends in 2024, you have 15 long weekends for which you can plan your vacation. Of these 15, almost all are 3-day weekends and only a couple of them are 4-day long weekends. Accordingly, you can plan your short trips and gateway tours. Explore Travel agency packages from Emperor Traveline, one of the leading tour operators in India—they’ll let you know potential tourist destinations this year, travel tips, new trending tourist places, visa help, etc.

3. How many govt holidays in 2024?

The central government of India has released 2024’s list of seventeen gazetted (official) holidays and thirty-one restricted (regional or optional) holidays. Together, the public holidays (national holidays) are forty-eight. For a detailed list, check out this Indian Express article!

Especially when it comes to road trips in South India, you can cherish your life’s best moments. Why? South India is known for its paradise beauty. It has the Eastern and Western Ghats; amazing hill roads bordered by greeneries; waterfalls, lakes, and dams in and around; mouth-watering cuisines; and a lot more.

The Best Road Trips In South India You Cannot Miss

Listed below are hand-picked road trip adventures that everyone must experience in their lifetime when visiting India. Important: Don’t forget to check out the gem of all: the Pamban road trip (briefed at the end).

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1. Chennai–Yercaud Trip
2. Coimbatore–Kodaikanal
3. Kochi–Alleppey
4. Hyderabad–Araku
5. Bangalore–Gokarna
6. Bangalore–Ooty
7. Kochi-Kanyakumari

Chennai–Yercaud Trip

People born and brought up in South India knew how fantastic this road trip would be. You cover a distance of over 360 km on this road trip. Halfway through, you travel along the seashore. In the remaining time, you travel through the Jawadhu hills. Indeed, it is one of the best road trips in South India by car. Travel with your best buddies to make it the best of the best trip!

Coimbatore–Kodaikanal

This Coimbatore road trip connects you to Kodaikanal via Pollachi and Pazhani. If you have time, you can add the “Valparai” tourist attraction between Pollachi and Pazhi. All these places are serene and pleasant, with coconut trees all over the plains. On the other hand, your destination, i.e., Kodaikanal, is abundant with hilly tourist attractions, including sightseeing, caves, and cloud-kissing peaks.

Kochi–Alleppey

As soon as you hear Kerala, your mind will flash backwaters, palms, coconut trees, and fishes. Undoubtedly, these are the things that will impress you when you take a road trip from Kochi to Alappuzha (Alleppey). Though the distance (around 50 km) and travel time are shorter, you will feel the trip is worth it. Places to visit in Kochi >>>

Hyderabad–Araku

This stands at the top of the list of the best road trips in South India. It entails traveling through plains, hilly regions, valleys, and beaches. It is a longer road trip, covering more than 700 km. If you want to admire the beauty of the Bay of Bengal, take this trip from Hyderabad to Vishakhapatnam to Araku Valley.

Bangalore–Gokarna

Well, it is your choice whether to stop at Gokarna or extend your trip up to Goa. The Bangalore-Gokarna trip is a must for every student in South India. You can enjoy extraordinary beaches (the Arabian Sea delights), the majesty of the Western Ghats, and the South Indian native special cuisines.

Bangalore–Ooty

Traveling from Bangalore to Ooty will encompass a lot of adventurous tourist places. The notable tourist spot is the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. Other forest regions include Bandhipur and Mysore. Animal lovers can choose this road trip in South India.
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Kochi-Kanyakumari

This ~300 km-long route has numerous attractions like magnificent mountains, sunny beaches, little backwaters, a lot of fishing areas, etc. If you’re traveling with your family, do stop at Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram, and Nagercoil. These stops have beautiful sights and highly spiritual temples.

The Gem of Best Road Trips In South India: The Pamban Bridge

You might have taken a speed boat to travel through waters in the middle of the sea, but have you taken a road trip instead? Believe it or not, it’s a breathtaking experience when you ride on a long road with two sides of water sparkling and splashing your face. The Annai Indira Gandhi Road Bridge runs parallel to the phenomenal Pamban rail bridge erected in 1914. Never miss this incredible opportunity!

Planning a road trip to South India? Get travel tips from the experts!