After having lived almost a year of reclusive existence due to the restrictions imposed by Covid-19, a few days in Yercaud was all that we needed to energize ourselves, not only with new sights and sounds, but also with the pure mountain air. Yercaud, meaning Lake Forest, a small hill station nestled amongst Shevaroy range, owes its name to the abundance of forest cover around Emerald Lake, the only naturally formed lake across all the hill stations in Tamil Nadu.
Just leisurely strolling around the town, inhaling the exotic aroma of brewed coffee, entwined with the fragrance of burning wood, is in itself intoxicating. Roadside eateries selling local snacks like fresh figs topped with honey, or steamed peanuts mixed with raw veggies and green mangoes offer refreshing alternatives to all the junk food we city people get used to. Nothing like holding bits of newspaper rolled into cones filled to the brim with these delicious snacks and exploring small shops shelved with native perfumes, coffee beans and homemade chocolates.
Fruit stalls filled with regional booty abound. Right from guavas, sapotas, custard apples, oranges, clementines to apples, figs and eggfruits are on display in little shacks, waiting to be gorged on. Eggfruit? What's that? A round green fleshy edible stuff which tastes like egg yolks sprinkled with sugar, I am told with a smile. Am I game enough to try it? Nigh sir, not me...eggs and fruits should not appear in the same breath, except when we are talking of caramel custard topped with berries... right?
Done is better than perfect
'Yercaud Fish Aquarium' the banner blowing in the mountain breeze announced. Never having conjured up the possibility of a fish aquarium as a crowd-puller, especially at a hill station, we decided to check this curiosity out. At a ₹10 per ticket, it sounded like a steal, or so we thought.
An unsmiling lady ushered us in. A dust-laden atrium lined with old wooden planks lead to a large empty hall, unswept and swarthy, along whose walls were a few aquariums, some empty, and others holding gold fish, piranhas, and carp mainly. Some diseased and others flaunting good health: quite a mix. Despite the disappointing experience, we couldn't help but smile as the motto of the place, displayed on a big poster caught our attention: Done is better than perfect.
Gowri Woodlands Estate Lake
With a tribal man as our guide, we hiked around the bountiful premises of this coffee estate. Situated at an elevation of 4300 to 4700 feet above sea level, Gowri Woodlands is known for its steep slopes, rich soil, and breathtaking viewpoints. While leisurely hiking its well-maintained trails, we got to experience not only the serenity of plantation life but also the thrill of being part of a sprawling wilderness complete with bisons, deer and boars!
We took some time off by a lake to go paddle boating and fish. It was a catch and release system. And lo, soon we fell under the spell of of the dancing reflections woven into the hypnotic movement of ever-widening ripples.
Scenic sunsets
Yercaud is dotted with sunset points, complete with gazebos for maximum effect and photo opportunities. The two most famous are Lady's Seat Viewing Point, and Shevroy Temple Sunset Point. Following is a free verse dedicated to the spectacular sunsets of this tiny hillside town:
the ardent heaving
of the sweeping mountains
waves after waves of them
curve sensuously
towards the sprawl below
while rising with eagerness
to meet the patient gaze
of a reclining twilight sky.
Breathless
with the thrill of this proximity,
yet feigning infinite poise
they relent under
its slow, languorous teasing
Beautiful! The verse at the end is too good.
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