In the midst of an endless spread of Arecanut plantations with buzzing bees, scenic huge nilgiri mountains, a canopy of forest trees and fauna covered by fresh dew, gently flowing clouds, a fresh soothing breeze, Tall coconut trees bearing bunches in plenty, banana cultivation amidst beautiful creepers, that appear like a foothill draped with green silk carpet and blessed for prosperity with Bhavani River is what is called Mettupalayam.

Mettupalayam is located at at 11.3000° N 76.9500° E. It has an average elevation of 314 metres (1033 feet). Mettupalayam is situated on the bank of Bhavani River at the foot of the Nilgiri mountains. Mettupalayam is the railhead for the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, and provides the interchange for passengers of this sub-line to the broad gauge railway.

Weather

Jan & Feb - Pleasant month

Jan morning- Misty and chilly, north east wind,

Mar -clear skies and low humidity.

Apr & May -hot and rare thunder showers.

June & July Aug - south west monsoon winds.

Aug & Sep - pleasant.

Oct -slight North east monsoon

Nov -Cloudy month

Dec - Cold and chilly

DAMS

The Pillor scheme gets its water from Agali and Athikadavu from kerala. The water is dammed at Pillor to supply electricity and irrigation water for Mettupalayam, and 20 more surrounding villages. The dam was commissioned in 1966 with an initial power generation capacity of 50MW. The second 50MW was installed in 1978 totalling 100MW now. The dam has a flow rate of 6000 cusec.

Bhavani Sagar Dam gets its water from River Bhavani flowing from the pillor reserve and the nilgiris (Kundah). This is one of the largest earthen dams in the country that was constructed immediately after independence under the stewardship of Jawaharlal Nehru and completed in 1955. This dam is situated about 35 kms from Mettupalayam Coimbatore, in Tamil Nadu. Built after the India's independence, it is one of the largest earthen dams in the country. Bhavani Sagar Dam is built on the Bhavani River just below the union of Moyar River.

There is a park which is well maintained having all the all amenities for children to play around near to the dam. The orchard in the park attracts all the visitors.

Bhavani Sagar Dam is located about 16 km west of Satyamangalam and 36 km north-east of Mettupalayam.

Bhavani River creates the Bhavanisagar Reservoir in the district of Bhavanisagar in Tamil Nadu. Bhavanisagar Dam is also called the Lower Bhavani Dam. Its location is in between the Mettupalayam and Sathyamangalam in Erode District, Tamil Nadu. The height of Bhavanisagar Reservoir is around 32 meters and the capacity is around 32.8 TMC.

The Pykara scheme, can offer an eyeful to the visitor. The road leading from Ooty to Glenmorgan, enroute the dam site commands a marvelous view. There is a small but beautiful garden at Glenmorgan Headworks. A joyous and breathtaking ride (if one can manage to get one) in the penstock which takes the visitors to the singara power house, is worth it. Down below,the Moyar power house is located which utilises the water used in the Pykara power house again for power generation and this is a novelty of the scheme.

`AIR ROUTES : The Coimbatore Airport is approximately 40 kilometers From Mettupalayam. It is connected to two routes.

1. Straight route to Mettupalayam from Coimbatore (via Coimbatore city) - about 50 kms

2. Through Annur (Quick and easy way to reach airport without any traffic problems) - about 42 kms.

3. Through Onipalayam, Karamadai, from Coimbatore Airport. - about 42 kms.

ROAD WAYS

Mettupalayam is well connected by road from Chennai via NH 47 upto Avinashi, later by State Highways via Annur. The road between Sathyamangalam and Mettupalayam is well laid and is an enjoyable drive with the scenic sights of Bhavanisagar Dam and Oothimalai hillock. This road is formed via a forest and farmland. It is well connected to Ooty, Gudalur and Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary (Mudumalai) via the western ghats. The ghat section road was laid during the british period and passes through dense forests, estates that cultivate nutmeg, jackfruit, areacnut, tea, and fruits. The little towns on the way are Coonor, Wellington (Army barracks), and Ketti Valley make the journey very pleasant for the eyes. The road to Coimbatore was formed very long ago and is the biggest city near Mettupalayam.

Environment

1. Kallar

2. Jakkanari

Soil Type:

Black Soil.

Trees

Vengai, Eety, Vekali, Vanny, Cinchona, Pine, Banyan, Nutmeg, Icham, Sandal, Jackfruit, Pungan, Wild Gooseberry and Teak Trees.

Flower and Fauna:

The flora of the reserve comprise of 3300 species of flowering plants. Among these, about 1232 are endemic. The genus Baeolepis is exclusively endemic to the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Some of the other notable plants that are entirely restricted to the NBR Reserve include the species of Adenoon, Calacanthus, Baeolepis, Frerea, Jarodina, Wagotea and Poeciloneuron. Apart from them, a total of 175 species of orchids are also found in this reserve. Out of these, 8 species are endemic including the endangered species like Vanda, Liparis, Bulbophyllum, Spiranthes and Thrixspermum.

Animals:

Elephants, Tiger, Panthor, Cheetah, Jackal, Blackbear, Sambar dear, Munt jack dear, House dear, the gaur(bison), Monkeys, Fox, Bat, Flying Fox, Badger, Otter, Mongoose, Porcupine, Common musk shrew (or) musk Rat, Bandigoote, Squirrels, Flying Squirrel,.....

Birds:

Partridges,Quail, Duick,Teal, Snipe, Peacock, Maina, Parrot (green), Common Sparrow, Jungle fowl, Owl, Turkey,...

River Bhavani:

Bhavani starts from silent valley forest in Malabar district in Kerala. It receives siruvani a perennial stream at Attapadi Malabar district as its enters Coimbatore district. It receives spring water from Kundha range from the south Peringa Pallam near Coonoor. It flows through Mettupalayam Sirumugai, and enters Gobichettipalayam taluk where it receives water from Moyar at Dhanaikan Kottai, which then flows though Sathyamangalam, Gobichettipalayam and then goes east to join Cauvery at Kuduthurai.

Mettupalayam was inhabited by its settlers primarily because of River Bhavani. The name came about due to its ups and downs. Medum, pallamum as its called contributed to the name Mettupalayam. The place was a very small place in the earlier days and was surrounded by thick forests in the western ghats. This destination then became a starting point for the East India company to enter into the Nilgiris. Initially a small path was organised and all materials and supply was transported on horse and animal back. Then came the historic Niligiri Mountain Railway that was completed in 1899. This train was powered by a steam engine and had 2 passenger compartments and 1 good carriage. The track for this train was laid using the timber from the local forests and people from Mettupalayam were instrumental in the laying of this track. The vegetables that the British introduced in the Niligiris such as Potato, Cabbage,Carrot, Cauliflower, Beans, Beetroot and Raddish were harvested in Niligiris and brought to Mettupalayam for further grading, distribution and transportation. This is how this place was known for its transport and commission mundies. The Commission mundies in Mettupalayam is historic for its strategic importance in the Potato market in South India.

The cultivation of banana, coconut and arecanut are the predominant crops. Mettupalayam Arecanut is well known in many countries and acts a protection for the forest nearby. Karamadai and Sirumugai are major agricultural centres where there are several mundies and sandys (sandai). This town is primarily full of agriculturists, and traders.

Sandhai (Sandy)

Maruthur - Tuesday

Avinashi nalroad - Wed

Sirumugai -Thu

Karamadai - Friday

Annur, Mettupalayam -Sat

Cattle Sandy

Andiyur - Mon

Kavunthapadi - Wed

Sirumugai has a textile market that produces sarees. The handwoven sarees are well known for its bright appeal and quality. This industry has been in operation since 1977 and employs around 5000 to 7000 peoples. The speciality of this textile market is the Kora Silk that is world famous for unique design.

River Bhavani starts its journey from Agali in Kerala and reaches Athikadavu entering Tamil Nadu, this then travels to Pillur where the water is dammed and it is then released to join water from the Niligiris which then flows through Mettupalayam, Sirumugai and then reaches Bhavanisagar where the water from River Moyar joins. At this point is where the old fort of Dhananaicken Kottai remains underwater. This fort is sometimes visible sometimes when the water level is low. The Bhavani water then reaches the town of Bhavani at Kooduthurai after it travels via the green patch of Gobichettipalayam (Erode Dist). Kooduthurai is the conjunction point where Bhavani meets the River Cauvery. From this point onwards, it is River Cauvery.

Floods in Mettupalayam

1924 - Historic moment (heavy flood in Bhavani)

July 15 - 18th - 1924

1930

Oct 23 -26 - again flood in Bhavani