Rock on the hillside

December 23, 2010 07:58 pm | Updated October 26, 2016 12:21 pm IST

AMIDST NATURE Wild Rock Hill House Photos: Soma Basu

AMIDST NATURE Wild Rock Hill House Photos: Soma Basu

WILD ROCK HILL HOUSE

SIRUMALAI HILLS, DINDIGUL

USP: Heights of delight

Wild Rock Hill House at 1600 metres is cushioned in greenery, amidst cool hills. Three huge rooms, two big halls, a spacious dining and a sitting room, with an equally large kitchen and modern bathrooms, well-manicured lawns and a playground, complete the resort.

When Mohammed Salim, bought the 21-acre property atop the salubrious Sirumalai Hills two decades ago, he didn't think further than building a dream house. Salim converted it into a guest house for his friends and then into a resort constructed around rugged rocks with exquisite furniture inside.

I negotiate 18 hairpin bends on my uphill journey from Natham to Sirumalai. Mild drizzle at the foothills changes to swirling mist as we gain altitude and the tall pine trees and the scenic valley below disappear behind a veil of fog. I feel I'm in the midst of the Waheeda Rahman-Biswajit thriller “Bees Saal Baad”.

A nip in the air, the scent of flora… everything feels wonderful the moment I reach the resort. The place inspires you to catch up on your reading as a team of cooks pamper you with the famous Dindigul biriyani, poorie-masala, piping hot idlis with a variety of chutneys and soft and fluffy chappatis with kurma. I am served at the elegant eight-seater teak and ivory inlaid dining table and after a solid repast I sink into the blue sofas in the drawing room with wonderful views of the surrounding forest.

For the adventurous, there is plenty to do and see, but I prefer to sit on the bench outside and watch the world go by.

How to get there

Wild Rock Hill House in Sirumalai is on way to Natham, which is 25 km from Dindigul city and 90 km from Madurai.

Things to do

Go on a picnic or plan a getaway with your extended family.

Go mountaineering, trekking, hiking or bird watching.

Visit the recently renovated Vellimalai Temple.

Visit the Sanjeevi Hills, a storehouse for herbs, considered to be part of Hanuman's Sanjeevani Hills.

Tariff

The bungalow can be rented for Rs.20,000. Food charges are extra.

A single room costs Rs. 5,000.

For details call 0451-2470454.

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