Meenmutty Falls

Ponmudi is probably one among the well-known tourist places in the capital city, Trivandrum. But not many visit the Meenmutty Falls when they are enroute Ponmudi. Right across the base station of the Ponmudi lies Meenmutty Falls. Meenmutty is often visited less because it will take you at least half an hour to get to the falls. Not to be confused with the one in Banasura Hill, Wayanad- Meenmutty falls situated in Trivandrum is comparatively smaller and its on the path of Kallar river.

For a person to reach Meenmutty falls, one should walk 2 kilometers into the dense forest. Unlike walking around in the city, trekking into the falls area is nothing short of being called as an adventurous trek. Filled with rocks, the proper construction for stairways is lacking and the side rails are not constructed properly as well. That being said, for older ones and kids, it is required to not to take the risk on mounting the falls. After all, you get a smaller falls with a good view. Once again making the point clear, there is no transportation means inside the forest.

I visited the Meenmutty falls on the peak monsoon season. Luckily enough, I did find a good enough flow of water since I visited on monsoon. The locals told me that it is not worth visiting the place on a hot sunny day of summer since the flow will be close to nothing. The trek to the falls was hard but achievable. Mainly, it was the slippery rocks that made the trek hard but it was worth it. 

Once I got into the fall section, I quickly soaked my feet into the breezy water as I was a bit tired challenging myself to complete the trek under 30 mins. The water was so cold and the dip was so satisfying that it made me sit there for few minutes experiencing the overall ambience of the place. I was told to not to take a bath as the flow might unexpectedly increase. So I only spent 30-45 minutes soaking my feet.


The plan was to spend some time in Meenmutty Falls and fall back to the Ponmudi station. That's what I exactly did. The trek to the falls was amazing and it will be fun if you take your friends with you. And you can find some good places to snap a pic or two. Other than that, Athirapally is still the best falls I've been to and Meenmutty doesn't even stand a chance next to it.


Contributed by Sooraj Ram

Vazhachal Falls

Athirapally and Vazhachal are two of the most prominent tourist spots in Kerala. Located on the west-flowing Chalakudy River near the Vazhachal Forest Division and at the edge of the Sholayar ranges, it is just 5 km from the entrance of Athirapally Falls. Vazhachal is more like a horizontal stream of falls, unlike Athirapally which has a huge vertical drop. The reason why I visited this place is to experience the magnificent wildlife and atmosphere.

Having spent the afternoon on Athirapally Falls, I decided to spend some time on the nearby Vazhachal Falls. Now that I have got till Athirapally, it would best stupid if I returned making the most of the visit. It was a perfect time to get there as it was nearing lunchtime and we already packed the lunch as we were a bit skeptical whether or not we will find a good hotel near the place. Before getting there, I did read a lot about Vazhachal and saw a lot of pics. After seeing the shady trees, I thought it would be a perfect place for picnic. Now that have food, we head towards the Vazhachal Falls.


Conveyance is easily available and the road which starts from the Athirapally entrance to Vazhachal is very scenic and perfect for photography. We walked all the way to Vazhachal and it took about 20 minutes. Once we got there, all I could see was beautiful trees which is spread across the large area and in the middle of which the turbulent flow of Vazhachal can be seen. There are tree shades and sitting arrangement built around is a good place to relax with friends and family. Vazhachal Falls have dense forests of Sholayar ranges surrounding. During its course on rocky terrain, River Chalakudy gives out in three branches, which resume its flow surrounding the small islands formed by the riparian forests. These three branches gather momentum on its downward course and plummet to the rocky bed of River Chalakudy to reunite.

The falls itself is more of a horizontal, wide turbulent stream, as a person can't walk around it or take a bathe. Walking into the Fall area is strictly prohibited as the rocks are slippery and it only take one wrong step for a person to die. Over the course, a lot of people have died and hence the security is being tightened. Once we finished our lunch, we came to know that there is a small trek arranged by a group of visitors to climb into the denser sholayar region. As we were running out of time, we decided to pass the offer and walk back to Athirapally.

Overall, Vazhachal was a nice follow up to the experience we had in Athirapally. Not only it is best for picnicking, it is also best for Photography and Bird watching. So, if you are a photographer make sure to visit this place.













Contributed by Sooraj Ram

Athirapally Falls-Niagara of Kerala

As far as I'm concerned, Kerala Tourism is probably the most overlooked tourism in India. You have a variety of places to choose from. If you love beaches, you have Cherai, Kovalam, Varkala; or if you like hill stations you have Munnar, Ponmudi, Agasthyakoodam and more. But, when it comes to waterfalls there is no "or". The best waterfalls in Kerala is undoubtedly the Athirappilly falls situated in Chalakudy which is close to Thrissur.

The falls are situated in Chalakudy river, which originates from the upper reaches of the Western Ghats at the entrance to the Sholayar ranges. Standing at a height of over 80 ft, Athirapally is the biggest falls in Kerala. The 145 kilometers (90 mi) long Chalakudy River, originates in the Anamudi mountains of the Western Ghats and flows through the Vazhachal Forest toward the Arabian Sea. The river initially runs smoothly but becomes more turbulent as it nears Athirapally. At Athirappilly Falls, the water surges around big rocks and cascades down in three separate plumes. Below the falls, the river remains turbulent for about 1 kilometer (0.62 mi) until it reaches Kannamkuzhi. Then it calms and flows smoothly until reaching the dam at Thumburmuzhi.

I spent some time in Kochi and I came to know about this place from a friend of mine. Without much hesitation, I googled the place. Just one picture was enough for me to get there. That one being the road to Athirapally falls which connects the Vazhachal falls. Upon further research, I came to know the importance of this place. Athirapally region has a diverse flora and fauna. Athirappilly-Vazhachal area is the only location where all four South Indian species of hornbills — the great hornbill (the state bird of Kerala), Malabar pied hornbill, Malabar grey hornbill, and the Indian grey hornbill are found living together.

Reaching there was not a problem. I got off at the Chalakudy railway station from where I used a taxi to reach the spot. Once I got there, I had to buy the passes and I was told that there is a 5-7 km walk into the forest to reach the falls. With a place with such elevation and range, I was skeptical whether or not I will be able to see the falls properly since I was worried about its infrastructure. Surprisingly, they have a good enough infrastructure and one could easily get around the place easily. There is an amusement park nearby but the real deal is the adventurous trek. One could trek down from the top of the falls to the bottom. This is the best thing to do while you are there. This does consume a lot of time so don't forget to plan things early and reach the place early. This place is literally heaven.

My visit to Athirapally included the Kodanad Centre but, among them, Athirapally was the best one. Overall, my trip to Athirapally was truly a bliss and I hope in revisiting the place as soon as my monsoon break commences. It is best to visit the place in monsoon as the flow will be unreal and it will be a perfect time for me to spend more time in Charpa falls compared to when I visited Athirapally. If you plan on visiting the place in a long run I suggest you visit every place near to it, Charpa Falls, Vazhachal falls, Sholayar Dam. It will be worth spending more time there.










Contributed by Sooraj Ram

Chitraruvi

Kutralam is not at all a hidden place now in India for tourism purpose. It ropes in visitors from all over the world so as to enjoy the rich quality of water. Many seasonal and few perennial rivers such as the Chittar River, the Manimuthar River, the Pachaiyar River and the Thamirabarani 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. The presence of such waterbeds makes it easier for the place to have numerous falls ranging from the biggest one-Peraruvi and the smaller one-Chitraruvi.

I got visit Chitraruvi when I visited Thirukutralanathar temple. I was unaware of the fact that there are a lot of falls surrounding the temple as I initially thought Peraruvi was the only one. The locals were kind enough to guide me to the falls and surprisingly it was very much close to the main falls, Peraruvi. Due to the huge volume of visitors in Peraruvi, most of the people prefer taking a bath in Chitraruvi as it is less crowded and perfect for spending some quality time. Chitraruvi has a natural barrier that separates the bathing place for men and women. Moreover, since the flow is a bit lower compared to Peraruvi, kids can also take a bath but with a strict guidance.

The main source of the Chitraruvi and the other falls in Courtallam, is the northeast monsoon rainwater. Chitraruvi or the Small Falls lead to other waterfalls such as Shenbagadevi Falls and Thenaruvi. Shenbaga Devi cascade is located above Chitraruvi and an adventurous trek uphill, through the Chitraruvi forest, leads to the falls. You don't have to trek to reach Chitraruvi. It's quite easy to reach there and you won't find huge crowds hence you get to spend more time and get some privacy as well. Situated just above the Main Falls, is Chittaruvi or the Small Falls. There are steps which provide easy access to the Falls. Also, there are facilities for men and women to bathe separately here. A ticket is required to enter the area.

I highly recommend Chitraruvi as I spent most of my time there compared to Peraruvi. The rest of the falls are more scenic and steady, but none of it can beat Chitraruvi in terms of overall experience.







Contributed by Sooraj Ram

Kutralam-Peraruvi

The Kerala-Tamil Nadu border is blessed with waterfalls and among them, Kutralam is probably the best one. Even though Thirparappu (not exactly at the border yet close to it) has the highest number of visitors, Kutralam is equally popular and scenic. Considered as South India's own Spa, the rich natural water is what you need in a pleasant tiring summer. At a distance of 7 km from Tenkasi, 160 km from Madurai, 62 km from Tirunelveli & 625 km from Chennai, Courtallam, or Kutralam is well known for Courtallam Falls which is one of the most famous waterfalls in Tamilnadu. 

One of the main reason why I visited Kutralam with my family was the Kutralanathar temple, which is at a walkable distance from the main falls. The reason why I said, "main falls" is that Kutralam has smaller falls surrounding it. We reached the place at about 7 AM and without wasting much time we got into the falls so that we could freshen up before entering the pilgrimage. We were fortunate to find a bus that took us straight to Kutralam stand which is about a few metres away from the temple. Buses can be found easily from the Tenkasi stand which is about 10 km from Kutralam. 

Kutralam waterfalls is located at an elevation of about 550 feet in the Western Ghats. The water here passes over a lot of medicinal herbs and therefore has the capacity to cure a number of ailments. After a quite a lot of research and conversations with locals, I came to know that the one near the bus stand is the biggest fall and is called Peraruvi. The place was packed and it took me half hour to get my turn to enter the place. The place is well maintained and the entire place is cool and perfect for summer. The chances of finding an abundant flow on summers is slim yet, you can still find enough water for you to soak yourself.

Thirukutralanathar temple is one among the auspicious temples in Tamil Nadu and visitors around India gather here to attain blessings. The sage Agastyar, at Shiva's request, proceeded southward to stabilize the balance of the earth and relieve the instability caused by the multitude of entities at Shiva's and Parvati's wedding in the Himalayas, to wait for a glimpse of the divine couple. There he is said to have created the Shivalingam here by shrinking an image of Vishnu, hence the name Kutralam. In the shrine, Shiva showed himself as Bhrama and Vishnu. The presiding deity Lord Shiva is called as Kuttralanathar and the Ambal his consort mother Parvathy is called as Kuzhalvoi Mozhiammai. 

Kutralam is one among the MUST-SEE places in India that will leave you wanting more. Once you are there, make sure to cover all the other falls as well. Even though the fall might seem small but the place is beautiful and the ambience is pretty neat. Also, it is ideal to plan visits between June and September, as monsoon is the best time to get some consistent flow off the falls.



Contributed by Sooraj Ram

Thirparappu- Serene Beauty

It's summertime and most of the folks are already planning for holidays. Before you finalize your trip, here is a place that you don't want to miss out on.

What's better than visiting a scenic Waterfalls on a sunny day? Nothing better than soaking yourself in cold water when the sun is right above your head. Thiruparappu is one such place which flaunts a beautiful landscape along with providing enough comfort for the visitors even if the sun is shining bright. 

My trip to Thiruparappu was a surprising one since we never drafted this place on our list when I went out with my family on my summer vacation. The place itself is about 55 km away from Trivandrum yet a proper conveyance made our trip easier and comfortable. Thirparappu waterfall is 300 ft long and consists of a rocky riverbed. The water falls from a height of nearly 50 ft. The waterfall has flows with great force for around seven months in the whole year.

The whole bed above the falls is one rocky mass which extends up to a distance of about quarter of a kilometer upstream where the famous Thirparappu weir has been constructed for supplying water to the paddy fields. This irrigation facility is extremely useful here and it is fascinating to see the process of irrigation from the dam to the fields. The place has a swimming pool which facilitates bathing facility for children as the fall is slippery and is not safe for kids. The spot is ideal for swimming as long as you stay within the safe zone. The flow is regular and as far as I'm concerned, Thiruparappu is the best spot if you want to learn swimming. 

Apart from the Waterfalls, Thiruparappu is also known for the most prestigious temple in South India, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Mahadevar Kovil is the third one of the twelve Sivalaya, famous for "Shivalaya Ottam" during Shivaratri. It is said that Lord Mahadev lived here as Virabhadra which is a fierce incarnation of Lord Siva to kill Daksha Prajapati, after the death Sati Devi. There are many old inscriptions in this temple including the one of the Pandya King dated ninth century. This temple is built around A.D. 9th Century.

Thus a place with this much historical importance demands a visit and you can not deny the fact that Thiruparappu is easily one of the best tourist spots in Tamil Nadu or South India, in general. Furthermore, the temple adds a spiritual atmosphere to the serene waterfalls. It is worth every penny you spent to get here.





Contributed by Sooraj Ram

Bonacaud - the Haunted Wonder

It is hard to not to stumble across Bonacaud if you are one among the riders planning on taking a transit to the infamous Ponmudi hill station. Bonacaud is a remote village located in the base station of the Agasthyamala. The place itself is known for holding hostage for a lot of Flora and fauna.   

It's quite easy to reach there if you have a two-wheeler or a four-wheeler. 

As far as I'm concerned, it is better to take the two-wheeler with you, as you don't want to miss fresh oxygen. But, you will need a permission letter from authorities to get past the checkpoint. We were fortunate to have a friend of ours in the tourism sector.  Bonacaud is a one day visit but if you could spend more than one day, I would suggest you take a tour around the place as you will get to see Ponmudi, Brimore, Agasthyamala and another place. Moreover, if you could manage to take some time off your hectic schedule during the monsoon season, then this is the place to go. Why? Well, here is how I spent my monsoon there. Also, you won't find any accommodation in Bonacaud. So it is ideal to take a room in Ponmudi.

The main reason why I grabbed a bunch of my friends to visit Bonacaud is mainly that of the Haunted Bungalow. We were planning to get frightened but, in the end, we got to enjoy one of the most beautiful places. It took us about an hour and a half to get there(from Trivandrum). Once we got there, we got a glass of lemonade that refreshed our minds and got us out of being tiresome. After that we had to handle all the formalities and the plan was to get into the forest to see the Waterfalls and importantly The Haunted Bungalow. It's Rs 100/head to enter the forest.

First stop, the Bona Falls(or Vazhvanthol Falls). Truly a beautiful piece of nature, Bona falls is easily one among the best places the hang out with your friends. I might as well call this place a hidden gem when it comes to Tourism. 

I'm amazed how a beautiful place like Bona falls is unnoticed by people around the world. Totally worth every single penny of 100 bucks, Bona falls is perfect to get a bath as the place is a bit secure and private. 

The next place we got into was that of the Haunted bungalow. With expectations worth a million words, we finally got past one of the haunted bungalows. Once we were there, we didn't feel any superstitious or supernatural power. Once we got back to the checkpoint for return, I asked one of the locals about the haunted bungalow. He was kind enough to explain that the whole "haunted" thing is nothing but a myth. And if we were really searching for a haunted bungalow, we should travel past the thick forest. As we were in no situation to go back we returned back home. 

Bonacaud is a must see if you love and respect nature. While you are there, I kindly ask you not to harm any plants. If you are caught doing the act you will surely be fined by the forest authorities. Make sure to carry lighters and abundant water resources as the place has a lot of snails and other insects. Water is essential to keep you hydrated once you are inside the thick forest. My favorite part of this journey was the trekking to Vazhvanthol falls and hunting the haunted bungalow. I will make sure to visit the “real” haunted bungalow next time I visit Bonacaud. 

Contribution from - Sooraj Ram

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Brimore, kerala - The foot of Agasthyarkoodam

India, or South India in general is home for hundreds, if not thousands of tourist locations. However, most of the places are hidden under the radar and it is hard to find routes for such places. One among such places that I was fortunate enough to visit was Braemore. Located in the God's Own Country, Kerala, Braemore(or Brimore) is the base station of Agasthyarkoodam, in the Agasthya hills. This beautiful place is 60 km away from the Capital city of Trivandrum. The ideal way of conveyance is a Bike Ride as the place itself has breathtaking scenery en route. If you don't own a bike or car, then to can easily find buses from Trivandrum city. Buses from other neighboring districts have irregular timing so, it is better to check twice before finalising your travel plan.

Once you have reached the spot, it's necessary to clear all the formalities in the Mangayam tourist office by obtaining the entry tickets. Once you have passed the office, you are on your own. 

First destination, the Waterfalls, What else to expect from a base station. However you might not get to see a huge volume of water yet, you can always get to enjoy the coolness and freshness of the water. Brimore authorities have restricted the passage for the Waterfalls but you get to enjoy a fresh shower at the bottom of the Waterfalls. I would suggest you to take a firm step while having a shower as the flow is a bit steep and slippery. Think twice before you dive! 

Unlike most of the places, Brimore can be visited anytime regardless the season. However, as far as I'm concerned, Summer and Monsoon are the best options. The reason why I chose Monsoon as one among my picks is because you could enjoy the next destination, Tea Estate in monsoon. If you love watching the wonders of nature, this is your spot. 

Actually, Brimore is a one day trip and there is no reason for hanging around to spend two to three days. However, to make the best of the allowed time (whether a one day trip or a two day package), it really is essential for you to take the highlight of this place, that is, the 1 hour trek towards Ponmudi (a hill station situated near Brimore). The trek is approximately 1 hour long which takes you around three hills until you reach the spot, Ponmudi. 

If you plan on staying for a day or two, I would suggest you to take the KTDC cottage rooms which are affordable and the best place to spend your time. People are helpful and I was fortunate enough to meet and talk to a few people there. I was told that there was a beautiful lake or stream called Palode, which is a must visit while you are there. It didn't took much time for me to trek back to Brimore and grab my two wheeler to search for Palode.

Palode is located 20 kms from Brimore and this place was the highlight for me. I get to enjoy the cool water and was able to spend some quality time swimming. In my opinion, Palode is the best place for swimming.

It was a long 40 km ride back to Trivandrum yet I was happy that I get to enjoy the trip and I couldn't wait till I get back to Brimore and Palode.

Quick facts


1.       How to reach – Frequent Buses from Trivandrum, Two wheeler and four wheelers are permitted to go inside the forest premises. 
2.       Nearest town – Palode
3.       Nearest railway station – Trivandrum, 59 kms
4.       Nearest Airport – Trivandrum, 65 km
5.       Places to stay – KTDC hotel 
6.       Best time to visit –Monsoon
7.       Things to do – Experience the beautiful Waterfalls and spend 1 hour on adventurous trek to Ponmudi
8.       Is it Child Friendly - No, only because the trekking is not that safe for children under 12

Contribution from - Sooraj Ram
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