Waterfalls in Tamilnadu – Falling Paradises from Distant Hills

Tamil Nadu, a South Indian state, is home to beautiful destinations. It is not only a place with ancient temples, exciting hill stations, and wildlife parks, but also houses at least half a dozen waterfalls. To the northwest of the state lies Hogenakkal, a chain of waterfalls feeding a wild stream. To the deep south lies the world-famous chain of Courtallam. In between and beyond, lie several other beautiful falls, including Agasthiyar, Thirparappu, and Kumbakkarai.

If you are planning to tour South India, dedicating about three days to visit the waterfalls across Tamil Nadu is a great idea. You could plan your itinerary so that you not only visit these waterfalls but also explore other places of tourist importance.

Hogenakkal Chain of Falls, Smoky Niagara of India

Hogenakkal is a majestic chain of waterfalls to the northwest of Tamil Nadu, near the border of Karnataka. The place has a rocky landscape that creates a smoky effect when the water hits the rocks. In the local language, Hogenakkal means “smoke emanating from rocks.”

This place is a well-known tourist spot in South India. A must-do activity for tourists here is taking a coracle ride down the wild stream, bordered on both sides by rocks and intersected by many small waterfalls. The level of adventure depends on the risk you are willing to take and the level of confidence the boatman has in you. This is because of the varying nature of the stream, with different levels of calmness at various places. Only upon your willingness, the boatman would take you through some of the more dangerously adventurous parts of the stream. For example, he could take you underneath a waterfall but would stop at just the right distance so that you will be spared by the wild forces of nature.

It is not uncommon to feel tired after an adventurous coracle ride. To soothe you from the inside out, there are shops selling delicious roasted fish.

Though Hogenakkal is in Tamil Nadu, it is easily reachable from Bangalore Airport in Karnataka. The place is about 150 km from Bangalore International Airport.

Courtallam, Natural Spa Amidst Hillocks

Ancient civilizations, both in Egypt and India, had one thing in common: almost every city had a large common public bath. Remains of such baths can still be found today. However, there are very few places like Courtallam that don’t require a mammoth construction to be termed a great bath. Known as the Natural Spa, this place truly lives up to its name. With over half a dozen waterfalls scattered throughout the town, surrounded by hillocks, Courtallam is a definite place to enjoy a deeply relaxing bath.

Similar to Hogenakkal, this place has a chain of waterfalls. But unlike Hogenakkal, Courtallam doesn’t feature a wild stream, but a calm one that is harmless. Hence, this place might not be as adventurous as Hogenakkal but is an ultimate destination to relax.

Prominent falls in Courtallam include Shenbaga Devi, Main Falls, Old Kutralam Falls, Thenaruvi, and Aintharuvi. Each waterfall is a little farther away from the others, which requires you to drive back and forth. Without a local tourist guide or a swift sense of navigation, you might face trouble finding the routes.

Though each waterfall has its own specialty, Aintharuvi deserves special mention. It is a group of five waterfalls adjacent to each other. In fact, Aintharuvi means “five falls” in Tamil. The proximity of this place to the local bus station makes it a crowded spot for most of the year. But still, it’s a great place to visit and enjoy.

The waterfall named ‘Main Falls’ in the middle of the town is very popular. It is a gigantic one, with water falling from over 50 feet.

For those who love to lead a peaceful and pure life, then Honey Falls or Thenaruvi is for them. However, it is quite difficult to access, which is why it remains less crowded, apart from its mesmerizing beauty. Access is not about distance but the difficulty in getting there. Yes, you have to trek a few kilometers before reaching this spot. The sight and feel of this waterfall make the hard trek worth it.

Courtallam is situated about 200 km from Madurai Airport. However, this is a domestic airport. Alternatively, you could reach Courtallam from Trivandrum International Airport.

Thirparappu Waterfalls, 7-month Rainfall from Rocks

If you are interested in touring South India, there is little chance that you haven’t heard about Kerala (called God’s Own Country for its unbelievable natural resources). Tamil Nadu shares a border with Kerala. Located slightly on Tamil Nadu’s side of the border is Thirparappu Waterfalls.

The road to Thirparappu Falls from Nagercoil in Tamil Nadu is as enjoyable as the waterfall itself. Green fields on either side of the road, interrupted by small towns, make the journey a memorable one, which you will recall even after years. The road takes you to the falls, where water flows seamlessly like a glittering white sheet.

Unlike Hogenakkal and Courtallam, this is not a chain of waterfalls but a single, beautiful waterfall falling from a flat-topped rock. The height is about 50 feet. This is a seasonal waterfall with a good flow of water for at least 7 months in a year.

Though the place is famous for its waterfall, the true highlight is the beautiful downstream with paddy fields on both sides. You may or may not visit the falls, but not taking time to walk along the stream or through the fields is a great miss.