The Kolli Hills are featured in several works of classical Tamil literature such as Silappathigaram, Manimekalai, Purananuru and Ainkurnuru.
The region was ruled by Valvil Ori around 200 AD, who is praised as one of the seven great philanthropists of ancient Tamil Nadu.
The mountains are covered by lush green vegetation in the spring and monsoon, and are streaked with streams.
It is because early literature records the existence of an image called kollippavai on top of these hills.
This image was believed to represent the spirit of a maiden who lured wayfarers by her beauty and then killed them.