Yercaud Culture

Majority of the residents of Yercaud are tribal people known as Malayalis or Vellalas. The word Malayali has nothing to do with the Kerala people. Malayali here means Hill Men, the people who dwell atop hills. The ancestry of these people goes back to the Tamil refuges of Kanchipuram that escaped from the prisons of Telugu King and came to these hills. For last 500 years, these tribes have been living in this region.

The economy of the people is supported mostly by agriculture and tourism. The major crop is coffee, but apart from that a large amount of spices and fruits are cultivated here.

Pongal and Diwali are two major festivals of Yercaud. Pongal is celebrated in the month of January and Diwali in the month of October or November.

Annual festival of Lord Servaroyan whose temple is situated on the highest peak of Shevaroys Hills is the most important event at Yercaud. The festival continues for 7 days and people participate in the celebration very enthusiastically. During these 7 days different kinds of exhibitions, shows and boating races are organized and the main attraction of this festival is the village fair.