thatched huts on a lush green hillside

ocated amidst the undulating forested terrains of Western Ghats, there are no roads in this hamlet, and the number of temples far exceeds the number of houses! Perhaps, that is the reason why the inhabitants of Vellagavi refuse to wear any footwear, in reverence to the local gods, who cohabit the area with their devoteesHowever, despite its proximity to Kodaikanal and Vattakanal, reaching this hamlet is nothing less of a backbreaking task. It is only after undertaking an arduous trek through dense forests from Kumbakkarai that easily takes between six to eight hours on foot that one finally manages to clinch the first glimpse of Vellagavi! Adventure seekers beware, the trek is definitely not for the faint-hearted, for the path that takes you to Vellagavi is as narrow as footfall-worn paths deep in the woods can get, and one wrong step could result in a fall deep into the gorges.