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Kurangani is a hill station atop the Western Ghats accessed from Bodinayakkanur in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Kurangani literally means " The place which wears monkeys as its jewels" in Tamil.
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Kurangani is a hill station atop the Western Ghats accessed from Bodinayakkanur in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Kurangani literally means " The place which wears monkeys as its jewels" in Tamil.
It has estates that grow coconut, mangoes, all spices, and coffee. Trekking in the hills also substantially contributes to the economy of Kurangani. The forest resource of this region was completely burnt in the 2018 fire.
A mountain stream passes between Kurangani mountains in the east and Kolukkumalai in the west. The hills are characterized by frequently-changing weather, low-hanging clouds, chilly atmosphere and strong winds, and are home to a wide range of flora and fauna including Indian gaurs, barking deer, langurs, wild cats, leopards and tigers.
Kurangani has more than 6 small streams. All join into the Kottakudi River, where they then flow into Vaigai Dam.
The Kurangani Hills near Bodinayakkanur in Theni district are suitable for trekking and nature walks, including the 12 km walk from Kurangani village to Top Station through the central village. Those who visit Munnar in Kerala can also enter the trekking route by walking down the dense woods and plain grasslands. It takes four to five hours to complete the trek from Kurangani village, the foothills of the Hills, to reach Top station, while two-and-a-half hours is enough for the return trip. Hikes begin 35 km from Munnar and reach Top Station Theni district.
The nearby Munnar Hills and Kolukkumalai Hills are the world's highest tea plantation at an altitude close to 8,000 feet (2,400 m).
The films Alagar Samiyin Kuthurai, Myna and Kumki were shot there. The best months to explore the Hills are from August to December.
Samabalaru falls is the source of Kottakudi river which serves the drinking water needs of Bodinayakanur.
The central village has a population of 200 people and 50 houses. Lodging is available in Top Station, Bodinayakanur and Munnar. along with two cottages in the central village.
Munnar is a town and hill station in the Idukki district of the southwestern Indian state of Kerala. Munnar is situated at around 1,600 metres (5,200 ft) above mean sea level, in the Western Ghats mountain range. Munnar is also called the "Kashmir of South India" and is a popular honeymoon destination.
Mathikettan Shola National Park is a 12.82 km² national park in Poopara village of Udumbanchola taluk in Idukki district of Kerala state, South India.It notified area national park in 21 November 2003. Considering the unique nature of the shola forest in Mathikettan and its importance as an elephant strip, the state government has declared it as a National park in 2008. Central government has notified its area varying from zero to one kilometre around the boundary as eco sensitive zone. The park is located between other reserve forests like Eravikulam National Park and Pampadam Shola National Park.
Theni District is one of the 38 districts of Tamil Nadu state in India. Well protected by the scenic hill locks, the district is located besides Madurai district. The town of Theni is the district headquarters. The district is divided into two natural divisions: The hilly areas are constituted by parts of the five taluk's Theni, Bodinayakanur, Periyakulam, Uthamapalayam and Andipatti with thick vegetation and perennial streams from the hills on the western side and Cumbum valley which lies in Uthamapalayam taluk. As of 2011, Theni district had a population of 1,245,899 with a sex ratio of 980 females for every 1,000 males.
Batlagundu is a town in Nilakottai block in Dindigul district in the Madurai Region state of Tamil Nadu, India. The name Vetrilaikkundru later transformed and changed to Vathalagundu. The town is the major gateway to Kodaikanal. Subramaniya Siva was a writer, Indian Freedom Fighter, and activist born in Batlagundu. Batlagundu is the fifth-largest town in the Dindigul district. The town is located in such a way connecting three main districts of South Tamil Nadu. Batlagundu has most of the voters in Nilakottai Constituency.
Elumalai is a Panchayat town in the district of Madurai, in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Originally named Aezhumalai, the town is located near Usilampatti (18 km), Madurai (58 km), Theni (56 km), Peraiyur (24 km) and Tirumangalam (40 km) in the Western ghats.
Cumbum or Kambam, is a town and municipality in Theni district, an Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
Theni is a town and a municipality in Theni district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. As of 2011, the town had a population of 94,453. The metro area had the population of 202,100.
Udumalai, also known as Udumalaipettai and Udumalpet, is a town in Tiruppur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Udumalaipettai is located 535 km south west from the state capital, Chennai and 72 km away from Coimbatore, the second largest city in the state.
Usilampatti is a town and a second grade municipality in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is also a designated taluk and revenue division.
Top Station is a tourist destination located in Theni district of Tamil nadu. Top Station is notable as the historic transshipment location for Kannan Devan tea delivered there from Munnar and Madupatty by railway and then down by ropeway to Kottagudi. This area is popular for the rare Neelakurinji flowers. The Kurinjimala Sanctuary is nearby. Top Station is the western entrance to the planned Palani Hills National Park.
Kodaikanal is a city and a Taluk division of Dindigul district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India.
Sulthankada is a village in the Idukki district of Kerala, India. It is located between Pampupara and Anakkara on Kumily - Munnar highway. This village includes tiny settlements - Chittampara, Keerimukku, Churuli Valavu, Puthumana Medu, Thenganal Kavala, Thaloda, etc. mostly covering cardamom and pepper plantations, pepper grows and paddy fields.
Kundala Valley Railway was the first monorail system in India, later converted to a 2 ft narrow-gauge railway, that operated in Kundala Valley, Munnar of Idukki district in Kerala, India. The railway line had 35 km length.
The Kodaikanal–Munnar Road was located in Dindigul District and Theni District of Tamil Nadu and Idukki district of Kerala in South India. It covers 81 kilometers (50 mi) from Kodaikanal to Munnar. The road was improved by the British in 1942 as an evacuation route in preparation for a possible Japanese invasion of South India. With a maximum elevation of 2,480 meters (8,140 ft) just south of Vandaravu Peak, it was among the highest roads in India, south of the Himalayas, prior to its closure in 1990.
Suryanelli is a resort settlement in the Chinnakanal village in Idukki district, Kerala, India. Situated 40 km South East of the popular tourist location of Munnar. It is surrounded by tea plantations and many resorts.
Kolukkumalai is a small village/hamlet in Bodinayakanur Taluk in the Theni district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is home to the highest tea plantations in the world with the tea grown here possessing a special flavour and freshness because of the high altitude. It is situated near Munnar.
Arappalayam Bus Terminus is an important mofussil bus terminus in Arappalayam in Madurai in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
Bodinayakkanur railway station is a railway station on Madurai–Bodinayakkanur branch line, serving the town of Bodinayakkanur in Tamil Nadu state, India. Currently it is closed, as the line is under gauge conversion, from metre to broad gauge.
Venkatachalapuram is a small village situated in Theni District, Tamil Nadu, India and with direct road connectivity to Theni and Odaipatti. The district headquarters, Theni, is situated 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) north of this village.
Teni is a railway station on Madurai–Bodinayakkanur branch line, serving the town of Theni in Tamil Nadu state, India. It was closed, as the line is under gauge conversion, from metre to broad gauge until 30 March 2022. From 31 March 2022 once again this station becomes operational after CRS inspection is successfully conducted between Andipatti to Theni railway station. It is one of the railway stations in Southern Railway zone. It falls under Madurai Division of the Indian Railways.