Kutralam

Kutralam waterfalls (main) is located at Courtallam (Kutralam) in Tenkasi district, South Tamil Nadu, India. It has medicinal qualities, popularly called as the “Spa of the South.” Kutralam waterfalls is at an elevation of about 550 feet in the Western Ghats and 167 metre above the sea level attracting tourists from all over. The water here passes over a lot of medicinal herbs, and therefore has the capacity to cure ailments. There is also a belief that mentally ill gets cured after taking bath at the falls.The force of the water on top of our body while we take bath makes us feel free from all tensions and worries, and completely relaxes us. Best season to visit Courtallam is from June to September.

The nearest railway station to Courtallam is Tenkasi. There are totally nine waterfalls in Courtallam. 1. Peraruvi, 2. Aintaruvi, 3. Chitraruvi, 4. Balaruvi, 5.Puliyaruvi, 6.Palathottaaruvi, 7.Chenpakadeviyaruvi, 8.Palayakurtala waterfall, 9.Thenaruvi. The stream that flows from these waterfalls can be seen from a great distance. Significance of courtallam The word Kutralam is derived from the word “Kuru aal” meaning dwarf banyan trees. The region came to be known as Kutralam as the forests of this area were full of dwarf banyan trees. The town derives its name from the Thirukurtalam Courtallam Nadar Temple.

In ancient times, Courtallam was called by the name Thirikooda malai and also called Thenoor in Sangam period. Courtallam Main Falls (Peraruvi) Commonly known as Courtallam Falls. It falls from a height of 288 feet into a deep field called the Pongumankadal and spreads wide and falls down. One of the prime attractions, Peraruvi is the biggest among the nine falls. At Kuttralam Main Falls, waterfalls from a height of 60 metres and slows down due to a natural crater named Pongumakadal (19 metres deep). The water flows through rocks with sculptors of Shiva Lingams and various other Gods. This aspect along with the healing properties that the water possesses, makes a bath in the falls a truly divine and refreshing experience. It is also normal practice to comfort oneself with a body massage after the bath. Small falls(Chitraruvi): Chitraruvi is a small falls lying adjacent to the kuttralam main falls. A walk up the hill from Chitraruvi leads to other falls like Shenbaga Devi and Thenaruvi. Tourists can have a milder shower here as the water flow is very thin. There are facilities for men and women to bathe separately. Shenbagadevi Falls Trekking through the Chitaruvi Forest for a distance of 2.5 kilometres and at a height of 40 feet above the Chitaruvi Falls is the Shenbagadevi Falls. It flows downhill and cascades down to a height of 30 feet. The water at Shenbagadevi Falls flows through Shenbaga trees. There is a temple here dedicated to Shenbagadevi Amman. During full moon days, a throng of pilgrims visit this temple.

Thenaruvi (Honey Falls) Thenaruvi is at a distance of 3 kilometres from the main falls. It is 40 metres high falls cascading between two large stones. The Falls gets its name from the honeycombs found on the hills. The horseshoe-shaped waterfall is at the end of a trail that find its way through dense woods and steep mountain paths. The trek is risky and so the place is restricted for public. Located at the top of Shenbagadevi Falls. This place is dangerous as there are many hives near this waterfall. A ban on visiting and bathing in this waterfall will be issued from time to time.

Five Falls (Aintharuvi) Yet another popular spot in Kutralam, Aintharuvi is located at 4 kilometres from Kutralam town. As the name suggests, the falls cascades down through five separate sections to become one stream is it flows downhill.It is about 5 km from Courtallam. It rises from a height of 40 feet from the top of the Trincomalee and flows through a stream and divides into 5 branches. Of the five sections, two are allotted to women and three for men to bathe. Tourists can also visit the Eco Park and boat house around the area apart from several popular nearby temples.

Orchard Falls (Pazhathotta Aruvi) Found above the Aintharivu, flowing from the orchard above and surrounded by picturesque aura is the Pazhathotta Aruvi. It is also referred to as the VIP Falls as entry was permitted only to politicians and bureaucrats. However, entry is now restricted to everyone. Old Courtallam Falls (Pazhaya Courtalla Aruvi ) At a distance of around 6 kilometres from the Main Falls is the Pazhaya Courtalla Aruvi also called as Shivamathungai Falls. The Falls were made suitable for bathing by changing the course of water which originally flowed into a valley formed between two large rocks. Steps have been cut into the rocks to make it safe for bathing under this Falls which flows down from a height of 200 metres. There are separate areas for men and women to have a bath along with oil massages.

Tiger Falls (Puli Aruvi) Puli Aruvi gets its name from the fact that it was a watering hole for tigers in the past. It is a mild waterfall formed on private property, around 2 kilometres from the Courtallam bus stand. The water flowing down accumulates in a lake and then is streamed along canals for irrigation. Sastha Temple, a bathing Ghat and an old palace which now is private property is found near the Falls.