My Valparai Journey

   🌿 My Valparai Journey

                                       

    I’m Raji, and this is the story of my beautiful journey to Valparai, a peaceful hill station located in the Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu. After completing my college studies, I felt it was the perfect time for a relaxing break, and this trip turned out to be a memorable escape from the usual routine. We started our journey from my hometown, Tirunelveli. I traveled with my Mom, Aunt (Uncle’s wife), her daughter, and Aunt (Mom’s sister). Our destination was Gajamudi, where we visited my elder brother’s house. My brother works as a staff member at the Gajamudi factory, and the company provided a house for him to live there. This made our stay very comfortable and homely.

🚌 The Journey Begins

From Tirunelveli, we reached Pollachi, and from there, we took a bus to Valparai. The bus journey was one of the most exciting parts of the trip. As we moved through the winding ghatroads with 40 hairpin bends, we were surrounded by misty mountains, lush green forests, and the stunning view of Aliyar Dam. The cool breeze and natural beauty made the ride unforgettable. 

🌧️ Rains & Family Fun

      However, when we reached Gajamudi, it was raining continuously, which left us a bit disappointed at first, as we couldn’t go out much. But instead of letting the rain spoil our mood,we made the most of our indoor time. Our whole family spent quality time together playing cards,cooking together, singing, dancing, and watching films. The house was filled with laughter and music, and those moments became unforgettable.

       My uncle’s wife is a very humorous person, and she loved playfully teasing her daughter.One day, her daughter said she had “brain pain,” but the pain was just in her head we all laughed so hard! These silly moments brought so much joy to our family time. 

🛕 Exploring Valparai (Finally!)

After a few days, the rain slowed down. We then booked a car for one full day and visited all the famous places in Valparai. 

🛤️ Balaji Temple

       Our first stop was Balaji Temple, a peaceful and spiritual place surrounded by beautiful flowers and trees. Since cars are not allowed near the temple, we had to uphill, which felt like a small trekking experience. The atmosphere was calm and refreshing. Photography was not allowed inside the temple, first disappointed because temple’s surrounding flowers were very beautiful, but after we respectfully followed the rule and took beautiful pictures outside the temple, capturing its natural surroundings.

💧 Chinna Kallar Falls

     After visiting the temple, we desire to Chinna Kallar Falls, one of the wettest places in India. But unfortunately, it started raining heavily again, entry was not allowed that day. So we had to return without seeing the falls, but the journey itself was still memorable. Though we felt a bit sad, we continued our journey and next visited the peaceful Kulagal River.

🌊 Kulagal River

      The Kulagal River is famous for its crystal clear water and stone-filled riverbed. We spent time there, dipping our feet in the cold stream and enjoying the cool breeze. We also tried to take some photos, but it was quite a struggle the stones were slippery and unstable, making it hard to stand still. We laughed a lot while helping each other balance and pose. Even though it was difficult, it turned out to be one of the funniest and most joyful moments of the day. The playful struggle made the memory even more special.

🌉 Vellamalai Tunnel River

       After visiting, the Kulagal River, we went to the Vellamalai Tunnel. The river flowing beside the tunnel was very dangerous to cross because it ran rapidly on both sides of the narrow path. We had to walk carefully across a steel pathway that stretched over the river. It was raining at that time, which made the pathway slippery and crossing even more challenging. The sound of the unforgettable experience filled with excitement and a little fear. 

        Then we reached our car. Just then, my cousin noticed a leech attached to her foot. She got very scared and started panicking a little. Thankfully, our driver quickly came to her aid and carefully helped remove the leech. That moment added a bit of unexpected adventure to our day, and later we all laughed about it.

🌄 Nallamudi View Point

      After the leech incident, my cousin was still scared and kept checking her feet again and again. As we continued our journey to Nallamudi Viewpoint, she was so nervous that she even called her dad to tell him what had happened. Instead of comforting her, her dad teased her, and the rest of us joined in the fun, laughing and making jokes. Though she acted serious, even she couldn’t stop smiling after a while. It was one of those silly and light-hearted moments that made the trip even more memorable.

       Finally, we reached Nallamudi Viewpoint, one of the most breathtaking spots in Valparai. Since the car couldn’t go up to the viewpoint, we had to walk a little distance to reach it. The pathway is surrounded by green tea gardens. On the way, we paused to take photos of the beautiful scenery every step felt like a frame from a movie.

        When we reached the top of the viewpoint, the global view was simply magical. From there, we could see a wide coverage of mist-covered mountains, deep green valleys, and endless stretches of tea estates. The cool breeze, peaceful silence, and beauty all around made us forget the tiredness from walking. It was truly a top highlight of our entire trip a perfect memory to carry home. 

🌿 Botanical Garden

       After enjoying the stunning views from Nallamudi Viewpoint, we continued our journey and visited the Botanical Garden in Valparai. The rain started pouring heavily once again, which was a bit disappointing. We wanted to explore more, but by then it was already getting late in the evening. Since it was after 6.30 PM, we knew that wild animals often come out onto the roads in that area. So, for our safety, we decided to end the trip and head back home. Even though the rain changed some of our plans, we were still filled with joy and memories from an unforgettable journey in Valparai. 

🌧️ A Wild Night

      We finally reached Gajamudi Factory around 7.30 PM, and by then, it was dark and still raining. We had to brother’s house, but we were all feeling nervous because of the time and weather. To help us, my brother’s wife called someone from the factory an Assamese worker to guide us home safely. However, he didn’t understand our language, and we couldn’t understand him either. It was a funny and confusing situation, especially in the heavy rain. He took us through another path that went through different tea estates. The route was unfamiliar, and walking in the dark, wet path made everyone feel a bit scared, especially my cousin, who kept saying her leg was twisting out of fear.

         Suddenly, we faced another problem a tree had fallen across the path, blocking our way completely. That moment added to the tension, but with courage and some teamwork, we managed to go around it slowly. Finally, we reached my brother’s home wet, tired, and a little scared but safe. It was a thrilling end to a journey full of adventure, laughter, bonding, and unforgettable memories.

🛑 Plans Cancelled — Red Alert

      The next day, we had planned to visit the famous Athirapally Falls, a place I was especiallyexcited about. It’s not only known for its stunning beauty but also because it was featured in Kamal Haasan’s movie Punnagai Mannan – the iconic scene where he jumps from the cliff was shot there. Unfortunately, due to a government– issued red alert for heavy rainfall in that region,we had to cancel our plan. I felt deeply disappointed, as I had been eagerly looking forward to seeing that beautiful waterfall in real life.

        After all the tension from the previous night walking in the rain, the language barrier with the Assamese worker, and facing a fallen tree some of the family members began to feel very scared and uneasy. My uncle’s wife, my cousin, and my mom’s sister decided they didn’t want to stay any longer. The weather was unpredictable, and the atmosphere felt unsafe to them. But due to the continuous heavy rain, they couldn’t leave immediately.

        Finally, after two days, once the situation became a little calmer, they booked bus tickets from Pollachi to Tirunelveli and decided to go back home. We all helped them pack and made sure they were ready. Then, I and my sister-in-law (brother’s wife) accompanied them to the Valparai bus stand to send them off. They boarded a bus to Pollachi, and from there, they booked a travel bus to Tirunelveli.

          But their journey didn’t go smoothly they had bad luck on the way. The bus broke down in Madurai, and what was supposed to be a 6-hour journey turned into 9 hours. They were stuck on the road, tired and frustrated, but thankfully, they reached home safely in the end. After they left, my mom and I stayed for three more days at my brother’s house in Gajamudi. But with the continuous rain and silence in the house, we slowly began to feel a bit bored and restless.

🏡 Final Days in Valparai

      I scarier was the siren that would sound at midnight as a warning that wild animals were nearby. Every time we heard the siren, we felt nervous and afraid, not knowing what was out there in the darkness. After hearing the midnight siren several times, my mom and I felt it was no longer safe or comfortable to stay. So, we finally decided to pack our things and return home.

      On our last morning in Valparai, the weather had calmed a bit. I spent some precious time with my brother, and we went out for a bit of shopping. I was so happy to eat my favorite biryani, which made the day even more special. My mom, brother, sister-in-law, and I talked, laughed, and shared memories it was a fun and emotional goodbye.

       By evening, it was time to leave. My brother and his wife sent us off warmly, and though Iwas sad to go, my heart was full. The entire Valparai trip gave me moments of laughter, fear, togetherness, and unforgettable memories that I will always cherish.

💖 A Journey to Remember

      This trip to Valparai will always remain close to my heart. From the mist–covered tea estates and heavy rains to the laughter-filled card games, singing, dancing, and emotional send-offs, every moment was unforgettable. Though we faced rain, leeches, sirens, and even delays, what truly made this trip special was the time spent with my loved ones. No matter what, I will never forget this journey and my dear relatives who made it so special will never forget it either. Valparai gave me more than just memories; it gave me stories to carry for a lifetime.