A fascinating place to be at, Bear’s Cave is engulfed in mystery and has religious and historic significance. Located close to the Norton Bungalow in a privately owned coffee estate, the cave is accessible only after permission from the estate’s owner. It is believed that the cave served as dwelling place for the bears and hence the name.
According to popular legends, the cave is considered to be one of the six holy abodes of Lord Muruga. The existence of a temple dedicated to the lord nearby offers evidence for this belief. Another tale illustrates how Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan used the cave to escape from his enemies during a war.
It is also believed that the other end of the cave opens up at Shevaroy Temple. The main area of the cave is located 7 ft. from the ground and one must crawl to explore it. The natural beauty in the surroundings adds to the fun of being at this place.
Warnings
You may have to crawl on all fours to explore the cave.
Connectivites
Road:
Yercaud has good road connectivity with many neighbouring cities like Coimbatore, Chennai and Bangalore. State buses operate from these destinations and reach Yercaud. Bear’s Cave is located on the way to Shevaroy Temple and can be accessed in a taxi, jeep, auto or private vehicle. Travelling via loop road offers the wonderful opportunities to explore unlimited natural beauty.
Railway:
Salem Junction is located about 30 km. away from Bear’s Cave. The railway station is connected to Chennai, Coimbatore, Bangalore and Mysore by train. Taxis and autos are available to cover the distance from the junction to Yercaud.
Airway:
For air travel, Trichy International Airport is the closest air access point. Domestic flights connect to the cities like Chennai, Bangalore and Kochi, while the international flights are available to and from Singapore, Dubai, Colombo and Kuala Lumpur.