Falls

                                                           1. Main Falls
                                                           2. Five Falls (Iyentharuvi)
                                                           4. Kundaru falls
                                                           5. Tiger Falls (Puliyaruvi)
                                                           6. Old Courtallam Falls (Palaiya Coutralam)
                                                           7. SenbahaDevi Falls (Senbakadavi)
                                                           8. Honey Falls (Theanaruvi)
                                                           9. Milk Falls (Paalaruvi)

Main Falls

    Spa of South India, is a panchayat town situated at a mean elevation of 160 m (520 ft) on the Western Ghats in Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu, India. Many seasonal and few perennial rivers such as the Chittar River, the Manimuthar River, the Pachaiyar River and the Tambaraparani River originate in this region. The numerous waterfalls and cascades along with the ubiquitous health resorts in the area have earned it the title the Spa of South India. The falls carry a good amount of water only when there is a rain on the hills. Season begins from June of every year till September. The South West Monsoon brings in the cold breeze with mild temperature. From October to December North East Monsoon sets over in Tamil Nadu and the climate is cold and the rains are very heavy sometimes. Sometimes the falls get flooded and people are not allowed to take bath during floods.

Five Falls

The Kutralam Five Falls (or Coutrallam Five Falls) was one of the cluster of about nine waterfalls that Julie and I understood to be collectively known as the Courtallam Falls as they were all near the town of Courtallam (pronounced "kor-TAH-lum"; also known as Kutralam). The thing that all of these waterfalls had in common was that they apparently had Ayurvedic healing properties since their streams were said to pass through groves of naturally growing herbs with medicinal properties. In fact, I was told that some doctors even recommended bathing in these falls as treatment. And since we thought India was well-known for producing doctors, maybe they were onto something.
As for the Kutralam Five Falls itself, it was true to its name in that there really were five strands of segmented waterfalls coming down roughly in parallel. We noticed there was some infrastructure built around the base of these short waterfalls to support a public bathing environment. Railings were put in to segregate the gender types (i.e. there was a ladies only area to the left of the railing and a gentlemens only area to the right). Thus, the ladies got the two thinner waterfalls to the waterfall's left side while the males got the three thicker waterfalls on the right (see photo at the top of this page).

Tiger Falls

     Puli Aruvi is located in the Tirunelveli district of the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. They are popularly known as ‘Tiger Falls’ as tigers are seen frequenting the cascade, to quench their water thirst. The flow of water is not too heavy at Puli Aruvi, therefore it is safe for bathing for both kids and aging adults. The waters that descend down the cascade end up in a lake that adds to the entertainment at the Tiger Falls. These waters are also deviated to the town nearby and used by the locals for irrigation purpose. The location of the falls is 2 kilometers from the Courtallam bus stand.Puli Aruvi is a small cascade when compared to the other falls of Courtallam. Sastha Temple and an old palace, now converted into a private property, are also located near Puli Aruvi, for tourist attraction. There is a bathing area near the cascade for the pilgrims visiting the temple, along with the falls. The nearest airport to Puli Aruvi is at Tuticorin, at a distance of 86 kilometers from Courtallam.


Old Courtallam Falls

       Old Courtallam Falls (or Old Kutralam Falls) offered us a much quieter experience compared to the other Courtallam Waterfalls like Kutralam Main Falls and Kutralam Five Falls as there were far fewer people. So that allowed us to visit the falls and pay more attention to the scenery as well as seeing how the locals enjoyed the Ayurvedic healing properties of the water (as its feeding streams were said to pass through groves of naturally growing herbs with medicinal qualities).
        In addition to keeping the name of the nearby town Courtallam (or Kutralam), I've also seen this waterfall referred to by the more straightforward name of Old Falls.Julie and I noticed that this falls consisted of a somewhat naturally stairstepping upper tier before continuing on in a lower man-modified tier. The man-modified characteristic of the lower tiers appeared to be brought about because they artificially dammed the plunge pool between the upper and lower falls so there were shallow pools that were more like swimming or bathing pools. These pools were lined with concrete along with stairs and railings in much the same way that we would think of public swimming pools. There was also the option of walking past the pools and getting directly underneath the waterfall itself for a drenching.


SenbahaDevi Falls

     Unlike recent restrictions two years back Shenbagadevi falls was open to all the people who visit Courtallam and most people trek along with family and friends to this beautiful falls and offer their prayers at Shenbagadevi temple. The trek along the main stream, the steps carved on rocks and the striking Kutralam valley are still fresh in my mind and magnetise me to this place again and again.

My memories with Shenbagadevi waterfalls cannot be forgotten that easily for its pure and heavenly water, its refreshing breeze, its stunning beauty and its deep pool. I remember during my previous visits diving inside the pool and standing beneath the ice-cold waterfalls, all these memories will stay deep-rooted in my heart for years and years to come. I can very well understand that these are special memories not unique to me alone and common to everyone who has visited this beauty on earth. I love sitting on the edge of that rock bordered pool and watch the water hitting the rock and the thundering sound it emanates. Indeed, that is my style of enjoying the mode and rhythm of a waterfall.

Honey Falls

     The Shenbagadevi waterfalls an one hour continuous hike along the ghat trail along the stream and bouldering one can witness ‘Honey falls’ it derives its name because of the honey hives which can be found plenty on this waterfalls. Absolutely, there is nothing wrong in calling it as ‘honey’ even the water tastes sweet and even better than the honey.
      The forceful water drops from a height of 170+ feets at Hoeny falls. During monsoon its impossible to get near this falls but during summer one has to negotiate powerful water currents to hit the base and bath in this mind blowing waterfall. The climb towards this waterfall provides spectacular views of the courtallam valley below, goes without saying that one need to face the huge boulders and steep climb to witness this beauty unfolding.Watching ‘Honey falls’ during monsoon is an enchantment – the thundering sound it produces, the splashing waters, the mind-blowing view and the satisfaction of adrenaline rush are nature’s gift to an adventure loving soul.

Milk Falls

     Palaruvi - literally, stream of milk - is one of Kerala's most picturesque waterfalls, cascading down a height of 300 feet. It is a favourite picnic spot for visitors from all over south India. The journey to Palaruvi through the dense tropical forest is a spellbinding experience.

Palaruvi which means stream of milk makes its way down the rocks, from a height of 300 feet. It is a beautiful picnic spot. The PWD Inspection Bungalow and the KTDC Motel here offer comfortable accommodation.

The surrounding mist-clad blue hills and green valleys form a stunning backdrop to the milk-white burst of foam whose muffled roar resounds through the otherwise tranquil virgin forest.