Javadi Hills

Javadi Hills as seen from Parvathamalai

The Javadhu Hills (also Jawadhi, Jawadhu Hills) are an extension of the Eastern Ghats spread across parts of Vellore and Tiruvannamalai districts in the northern part of the state of Tamil Nadu in southeastern India.This range separates Vellore and Tiruvannamalai districts. Vellore district lies on the north western side and Tiruvannamalai district lies on the south eastern side of this range. About 50 miles (80 km) wide and 20 miles (32 km) long, they are bisected into eastern and western sections by the Cheyyar and Agaram rivers, tributaries of the Palar. They consist of bluish gray granites, with peaks averaging 3,600–3,800 feet (1,100–1,150 m). The hills are sparsely populated; the majority of the inhabitants are Malayali tribespeople, though other castes are also present.^[1] There are many tourist places near Javadhu Hills, e.g., the Beemanmadavu waterfalls. The Indian astronomer Vainu Bappu selected the hills as the site of the Kavalur Observatory (VBO), which began operations in 1967. The towns of Tirupattur, Vaniyambadi and Ambur of Vellore district are located on the north western side and the towns of Chengam and Polur of Tiruvannamalai district are located on the south eastern side .

During the British colonisation of India, the Javadhu Hills appeared occasionally in government gazetteers and manuals,^[2] ethnographies,^[3] and travelers' accounts. Henry le Fanu, writing in 1883, admired the beauty of the Jawadhi hills,

“The Barahmahal hills to the west are somewhat bare, but the Jawadhi are clothed in verdure to the very summit on the east: towards sunset the whole range puts on a purple tinge like heather bloom. The sharper shadows mark out minor ranges and valleys, which in the midday merge in the mass of the range, and beyond Bommaikuppam, looking from Tirupatur, a silvery cascade may be seen, shining bright in the setting sun.”.^[4]

Cultivation in the Javadi Hills

Malayali tribespeople grow a variety of trees on their patta land, including tamarind, jackfruit, guava, pomegranate, mango, lemon, coconut, plantain, Paddy, Saamai etc.^[5]

The trees of the Javadhi Hills also produce a range of forest products. These include millettia pinnata, Smilax regelii, Castor oil plant

They are noted both for their fruit bearing trees,medicinal and for their sandalwood. Presently (2012), there are no sandalwood trees remaining due to illegal logging. This theft was going on for many years. Jamanamarathur is one of the larger villages in these hills and thickly populated . It is the second village in height in Javadhi hills Chengam to jamunamarathur we want government bus service

Access

By road : Chennai-Arcot-Arni-Polur-Jamuna Marathur.(JavvadhuHills)

By Road : Chennai-Arcot-kannamangalam-amirthi-Jamuna Marathur.(JavvadhuHills)

By Road : Vellore-kanniyambadi-amirthi-Jamuna Marathur.(JavvadhuHills)

From Chennai Take NH4, Chennai-Poonamallee Bypass- Arcot and take Arni road, after Arni Bypass take the Polur Road, upon reaching Polur town, ask the route for Aththimur and after Aththimur one can see the sign boards for Jamuna Marathur. The weather and roads are very nice, thanks to Tamil Nadu government and its state highways department for maintaining the roads in good condition. Please Avoid driving at night or dark hours Safe timing for travelling is 6am-5pm, After polur town To jamuna marathur 40 km of Ghat roads, mostly one cannot see any shops or even people. But it is mind blowing road. Places like Bheeman falls have become alcohol drinking spot for the tourist groups, so not so safe for families unless law and order is enforced.

References

1. Parthasarathy, Jakka Division of Labour and Women: A Case Study of the Malayali of Jawadhi Hills, Tamil Nadu. In "Social Science and Social Concern: Felicitation Volume in Honour of Professor B.K. Roy Burman". S.B. Chakrabarti, ed: Mittal Publications, 1988
2. Garstin, John H."Manual Of The South Arcot District". Madras: Lawrence Asylum Press, 1878
3. Thurston, Edgar Castes and Tribes of Southern India. 6 vols. Volume 4. Madras: Government Press, p.408, 1909
4. le Fanu, Henry "A Manual of the Salem district in the presidency of Madras". 2 vols. Volume 2. Madras: Government Press, 1883
5. Parthasarathy, Jakka Division of Labour and Women: A Case Study of the Malayali of Jawadhi Hills, Tamil Nadu. In "Social Science and Social Concern: Felicitation Volume in Honour of Professor B.K. Roy Burman". S.B. Chakrabarti, ed: Mittal Publications, 1988

Coordinates: 12°35′N 78°50′E / 12.583°N 78.833°E