Yercaud
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Yercaud ஏற்காடு |
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|---|---|
| Hill Station | |
Yercaud Lake
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| Nickname(s): Poors' Ooty-ஏழைகளின் ஊட்டி | |
 Yercaud
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| Coordinates: 11°46′46″N 78°12′12″E / 11.7794°N 78.2034°ECoordinates: 11°46′46″N 78°12′12″E / 11.7794°N 78.2034°E | |
| Country | India |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| District | Salem |
| Area | |
| • Total | 383 km2 (148 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,623 m (5,325 ft) |
| Population (2001) | |
| • Total | 36,863 |
| • Density | 96/km2 (250/sq mi) |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Tamil |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Vehicle registration | TN-30 |
| Tamil and English spoken | |
Yercaud is a hill station in Salem District, in Tamil Nadu, India. It is located in the Shevaroys range of hills in the Eastern Ghats. It is situated at an altitude of 1515 metres (4970 ft) above sea level, and the highest point in Yercaud is the Servarayan temple, at 5,326 feet (1,623 m). The hill station is named owing to the abundance of forest near the lake, the name signifying Lake Forest. As a popular tourist destination, Yercaud is also called as Jewel of the South. Yercaud is connected to the city of Salem, Tamil Nadu through a Highway of 28 km. Coffee and citrus fruits, most notably oranges, are grown in abundance, as well as bananas, pears and jackfruit. Scenically, Yercaud is as enchanting and picturesque as the hill stations on the Eastern Ghats and trekking will be an experience.
The total extent of Yercaud Taluk is 382.67 km2, including reserve forest. The entire county is administered as a township. Yercaud also has a village council.
The town's name is derived from the lake located at its center – in Tamil Yeri means lake and Kaadu means forest. It is also explained as Seven Forest.
Stone-age implements have been found from the ancient shrine located near Shevaroy Hills ( also known as Shevarayan Hills ), which is about 5 km from the Yercaud lake.
Sir Thomas Munroe, erstwhile governor of Madras Presidency in 1842 found this place. David Cockburn, the Scottish collector of Salem district, between 1820 and 1829, was called the 'Father of Yercaud' because he helped in the development of the resources of the Shevaroy and for introducing the cultivation of coffee, pears and apple. The first survey of the Shevaroy hills was undertaken in 1827. Though the first European house was built in 1840. The attention of planters on the Shevaroys has been confined solely to coffee plantations. Tea plantaion has been introduced in 1840s by Dr.Wallich on the property of G.F.Fischer. Trees of cinnamon has been introduced in Yercaud by Mr.Richardson during the same period. The cool climate attracted Christian missionaries, who established the Sacred Heart Convent for girls, the Nazareth Girls' Hr. Sec. School for Girls, and the Montfort School for boys. Schools such as the Holy Cross Novitiate House, started by the Brothers of Don Bosco, followed these.
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