Yercaud

History

Stone-age implements have been found near an ancient shrine located in the Servarayan Hills, about 5 km from the Yercaud lake. In the 1820s, M. D. Cockburn, the collector of Salem district, facilitated the establishment of coffee plantations and citrus fruit saplings imported from South Africa. It was later discovered by Thomas Munro, the Governor of Madras Presidency in 1842 and popularized as a recreation retreat.

Geography

It is located in the Shevaroy hills in the Eastern Ghats. The total extent of Yercaud taluk is 382.67 km2 including reserve forests. It is situated at an altitude of 1515 m above sea level, and the highest point in Yercaud is the Servarayan temple, at 5342 ft.

Climate

|Jan record high C = 29 |Feb record high C = 32 |Mar record high C = 34 |Apr record high C = 35 |May record high C = 34 |Jun record high C = 32 |Jul record high C = 31 |Aug record high C = 30 |Sep record high C = 30 |Oct record high C = 32 |Nov record high C = 31 |Dec record high C = 29 |year record high C = 32 |Jan record low C = 4 |Feb record low C = 5 |Mar record low C = 6 |Apr record low C = 9 |May record low C = 10 |Jun record low C = 8 |Jul record low C = 9 |Aug record low C = 8 |Sep record low C = 5 |Oct record low C = 4 |Nov record low C = 6 |Dec record low C = 6 |year record low C = 4

Demographics

As per the 2011 census, Yercaud has a population of 11,582. The sex ratio was 974 against the state average of 996. Literacy rate was 83.17%, higher than the state average of 80.09%. Scheduled caste constituted 33.33% while Scheduled tribes were 15.50% of the total population. The town had 2,652 houses.

Administration and politics

The taluk is administered as a township with a panchayat union headquartered at Yercaud. Yercaud is part of the Yercaud Assembly constituency which forms part of the Kallakurichi (Lok Sabha constituency).

Economy

The economy of Yercaud is majorly dependent on tourism and agriculture. Coffee, orange, jackfruit, guava, black pepper and cardamom are grown around the region. Yercaud lake is a natural lake in the center of the town where there are boating facilities. Other places of interest include the deer park, bears cave, Kiliyur falls, rose garden, various view points and temples including Servarayan temple, Raja Rajeswari temple and Rama temple at Pagoda point.

Transport

The nearest airport is Salem airport at a distance of 38 km, which has limited domestic flights. The nearest major airport is Coimbatore International Airport located 170 km away. The nearest railway station is Salem junction at 34.5 km. Government owned TNSTC operates public buses from Yercaud to Salem, which is connected to other major towns.

Education

There are many residential schools in Yercaud including the Monfort school, established in 1917. Shevaroys college is the only institute of higher education in the region.

Notes

References

References

1. "The Sunday Tribune – Spectrum – Travel". The Tribune.
2. (8 January 2014). "Feel of the country in Yercaud". [[Deccan Herald]].
3. "Yercaud". [[Government of Tamil Nadu]].
4. "About Yercaud". [[Government of Tamil Nadu]].
5. Babu, Ganesh. "Tamilnadu Tourism Guide". Archers & Elevators Publishing House.
6. "Historical Weather for Yercaud". Weather Underground.
7. "Yercaud census town, 2011". [[Government of India]].
8. "List of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies". [[Election Commission of India]].
9. (6 January 2024). "Yercaud: This Scenic Tamil Nadu Hill Station Is Perfect For A Pocket-friendly Getaway". News18.
10. (24 August 2022). "From Montfort to Doon: Top 5 Boarding Schools in India and Their Admission Process". News18.
11. "About Shevaroys". Shevaroys.