Kotagiri facts: Nice to know
There is a lesser known, beautiful temple on the Kotagiri-Coonoor road for Sai Baba devotees. It is located on a hill in a picturesque setting at the small town of Edapally.
As sometimes happens with Google Maps, asking for directions to a Sai Baba temple proved notoriously ineffective. It took us well into Coonoor town and insisted that a roadside tea stall was indeed the Sai temple. We had to backtrack a few km on the Kotagiri road to Edapally by using the ancient method of rolling down the glass and asking a local for directions.
The temple itself is on a hillock over an ample area in quiet and serene surroundings. There is adequate parking space. We found the locale captivating and atmospheric. It was a chance and surprising find for us to even know of a place like this in the Nilgiris and we loved every moment of it.
Getting there
There is no signboard on the Kotagiri-Coonoor road that tells you where to turn for the Sai Temple. About 4-5 km before reaching Coonoor you will enter a small village called Edapally – you can’t miss the signboard for this. You have to take a right once you enter the village and it’s best to ask someone where the right actually is. If you don’t speak Tamil, you can just ask, “Sai Baba temple?” and someone will always guide you.
Edapally village is about 15 km from Kotagiri town and once you take the right turn inside the village, you have to further drive a couple of km through winding curves to reach the temple. If you’re a temple goer, this is well worth a visit.
Narayan is an avid traveller, writer and photographer who has a home in the picturesque Niligiri hills called Triptych Nilgiris. It is a homestay with a welcoming ambience, a stunning view of a valley and some delicious home-cooked food. You can check availability by sending a WhatsApp message to 98400 78228.
Get to know the Nilgiris in and around Kotagiri. Must-see places are included.
