WATERFALLS , THE NATURAL WONDERS

Waterfalls are natural wonders that attract hundreds and thousands of tourists every year. Monsoon and Waterfalls have a mutual impact on each other. Monsoon assists several waterbodies to turn into wonderful waterfalls. Lets explore more on this here.

Monsoon has started in Kerala and along the western coast. It normally begins during June and lasts till September.

Waterfalls are one of the best photography subjects.

Each waterfalls has its own unique features and attractions and even cultural heritage. They also attach divine meaning for many.

We give below brief details of some of the wonderful waterfalls of Kerala which you must visit during the monsoon.

Wonderful waterfalls of Kerala

Though we can visit the waterfalls on any day in a year, we may only witness a dried up or less spectacular waterfalls during off seasons.  So, it will be only wise to visit them during or immediately after the monsoon to have a wholesome and wonderful experience

There are so many of them in size, volume also in terms of accessibility. We give below a brief account of the wonderful waterfalls located nearer to me, how to reach them, the best time / season to visit, how to do with a ‘shoe-string-budget’, what preparation you need as a photographer or otherwise etc., to achieve a satisfying experience.

ATHIRAPPILLY WATERFALLS

Popularly known as Kerala’s Niagara. Falling from nearly at a 90 ft height, this is the most wonderful waterfalls of Kerala.

The Chalakkudy river turns into ‘AthirappIlly falls’. It’s huge, thunderous, fairy and foamy. It’s the grand cascade of God’s own country.

This waterfall is the most popular ‘movie-shooting-location’, in Kerala.

The flora and fauna throw ample opportunities for the ornithologists for Bird watching and Bird photography. The great Indian Horn bill is almost a native to this location.

The waterfall is situated in Chalakkudy at around 60 kms from Thrissur and 160 kms from Coimbatore. Nearest Airports are Coimbatore and Kochi. Nearest Rail head: Chalakkudy.

The Kerala Tourism Department charges a nominal amount as an entry fee.

Best time to visit: July to September

THOOVANAM WATERFALLS

While travelling along the ‘Chinnar – Marayoor’ road, we will not miss Thoovanam waterfalls. This is another wonderful waterfalls of Kerala. This is situated deep inside the Chinnar Forest.  The ‘Pambar‘  river of Marayoor is the one, which turns into Thoovanam waterfalls.

Chinnar Wild Life Department both at Marayoor and Chinnar usually send ‘on demand guides ‘ based on the group’s strength, for a nominal fee. They join us during the trekking to the waterfalls.

We need to trek around 6 kms from Chinnar and it takes 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on the speed of our trekking.

While enjoying the fresh air and aroma of the forest, the trekking also offers excellent opportunity for wild life photography.

Chinnar is approachable in three hours from Coimbatore airport and one hour from Udumalpet of Tamil Nadu. 20 minutes from Marayoor , 1.30 hours from Munnar and 4.30 hours from Kochi, of Kerala.  Nearest airport is Coimbatore.

 July to September is the best time to visit.

LAKKOM WATERFALLS

The Eravikulam stream which is part of the Pambar river forms and plunges as wonderful Lakkom waterfalls.  At Lakkom, the fall runs into a pool. The fall is amazing to watch.

This waterfall throws a beautiful and serene atmosphere during rainy season. It is one of the best subjects for photography. Though swimming and bathing is not prohibited, tourists should be wary about the leaches in the rainy season.  The Forest Department, Kerala charges a nominal amount as entry fee.

Visit of Thoovanam and Lakkom can be completed in one session.

This is situated in a few yards from ‘Chinnar–Munnar’ road, also very much visible from the road side.

It’s around 25 kms from Chinnar and 15 kms from Marayoor.

There is no trekking needed to reach the waterfalls, other than climbing a few stairs..  The Forest Department charges a nominal amount as entry fee.

Best time to visit: July to September.  

KARIMUTTI WATERFALLS

This is located around 3 kms from Marayoor on the way between Chinnar and Marayoor. As the name implies, it is the fall with white gushing water segmented over the black granites which gives an awesome scene. May look like ‘multilayered falls’ from a distance.

Though during the non-rainy days, one may only experience trickles of water, during monsoon it becomes an excellent tourists’ spot.

The Forest Department, Kerala has erected iron rails and other convenience for the tourists to take bath.

Best time to visit: July to September.

ASURANKUNDU WATERFALLS

This water fall is viewable only during the monsoon. The temporary fall is situated in Mullurkara (off Chelakkara) in Trichur Dist, Kerala. It may look like as if the water is falling from many check dams one after the other and a ‘multi step water falls’.

During the heavy monsoon, the gate-way   is opened from the nearby Asurankundu dam and the running water forms into a stream. This   runs along the high & wide bunds constructed along the canal from uphill to the pool situated well below the hill. It creates wonderful small falls from each bund. The whole area becomes a scenic spot with the gushing water and the surrounding rich green vegetation.

Reaching there: Nearest Rail Head Trichur within a distance of 30 kms.

NELLIAMPATHY WATERFALLS

This is an awesome hill station in Palakkad dist.  When we drive up to this hill, on several junctions, turns and road bends   we can see small to medium water falls. Before we reach the Palakkad gap view point, we witness one of the wonderful waterfalls of Nelliampathy hills.   During non-monsoon seasons, these falls are almost dry and we can see only trickles of water.

This hill area occupies several tea, coffee and cardamom plantations offering rich flora and fauna.   

The area also offers excellent scope for the Birding and Bird photography. Nelliampathy (more particularly: Victoria range) is one of the places we find the Great Horn Bill almost during all seasons.

Reaching there: Nearest railway station: Palakkad – about 55 kms; Thrissur – 80 kms.

 Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 115 kms , Coimbatore International Airport, about 120 kms.

Best time to visit:   July to September

POONCHOLA WATERFALLS

This is also one of the waterfalls we can witness with its full force, only during the monsoon. For many, this will be an unexplored location.

After driving through a narrow, zig-zag, and a difficult terrain, we will be reaching this cascade-beauty atop the hill, ‘Poonchola’,  Kanjirapuzha.

This is situated around 30 kms from Palakkad.  Other than the waterfall, there is nothing left much interested to see here.  This is neither a tourist spot. However, the waterfall becomes a sought after spot for photography, during the rainy season.

You may have to hire a local public transport (i.e., a 4-wheel jeep) to drive through the difficult road to reach the spot, if you don’t have one on your own.,

Best season to visit: July to August.

DHONI WATERFALLS

This is also yet another water fall that is worthy to see only during Monsoon. Dhoni hills is situated around 22 kms from Palakkad Center. We reach Dhoni water fall after trekking around 5 kms, from the foothill.

The trekking offers excellent experience, through the thick forest trails while we enjoy the wonderful green vegetation and fresh air.

The trekking usually starts at 9 and 11 in two batches, accompanied by one or two Forest Department guides, for a nominal fee. During Sundays and Holidays afternoon trekking is also allowed.

Unless and other wise a ban is put in place, bathing in the stream is generally permitted.

Nearest Rail head: Palakkad junction.

Best time to visit: July to September.

PLANNING A VISIT TO WATERFALLS.

A proper plan and preparation will help us to enjoy our visit., to these waterfalls.

– Location: Let’s identify and choose a destination that has waterfalls nearby. (Let’s have a cautionary note to see and confirm the weather condition, status of the motorable roads / trekking trails, ways etc., to reach the spot without much strain.)

– Time to spend: Let’s decide how much time you want to spend at each waterfall.   How many of them you can cover in a day. While few of them   may require a couple of hours hiking or driving to reach them, while others may be accessible without much stress.

Spending good time: Along with admiring and enjoying the cascades, you may be wanting to indulge in activities like photography, boating, swimming, bathing etc., To achieve this, let’s first find out what are the activities permissible there.

How does it cost? The cost may vary depending the type of, transport, accommodation and restaurants we choose.  Also, entry tickets if any, guide charges etc., may add a little more to the total cost. Let’s calculate how do we want, a budget trip or the other way.

A CAUTION NOTE BEFORE CONCLUDING:

Before packing your bag!

Let’s choose wisely the appropriate accessories like, quick drying clothes, umbrellas, food and eatables if any camera and relative lenses, accessories etc. So that, our trip is fully a satisfied one without any complaints.

Proper planning before the trip will always give us a wonderful experience. !

Another key point to note : Most of the roads leading to the above mentioned waterfalls go through the reserve and non reserve forest areas. Hene we have to observe strict compliance of the local rules. eg. not carrying plastic bags, not throwing them into the forest or water, not feeding the wild animals esp Monkeys, etc. Our vehicles may be subject to strict scrutiny and inspection, by the Forest Department Officials.

To conclude, we hope the brief details given above help you to achieve what you aim for by visiting these wonderful waterfalls. Have a great and memorable trip. !!