Courtallam..... Water Falls

 "Main" Falls

Courtallam Falls is a show piece in South India... all the more because of the excellent climate the location enjoys throughout the year.Look up any Weather portal and you will be pleasantly surprised.

We drove  from Trivandrum over the western Ghats and as we descended we passed through Shenkottai and Tenkasi and reached our Resort in Courtallam in Tirunelveli. A Very economically priced bare bones dwelling appealing to the weekend and seasonal tourists.You can have a typical Southy breakfast but choice is limited.There are others in the vicinity if you explore the Internet.

Shiva is believed to have sent Rishi Agastiyar to the hills here - Podhigai Malai - to balance the weight of people who'd gone north to Mt Kailash to attend his wedding to Parvati. Not that the erudite Rishi spent all his time partaking of these rejuvenating waters - Agastiyar is said to have put together the ancient, classical Tamil language here, or so the story goes, which is why the people of Tirunelveli are believed to speak a purer version of the language than that spoken in the other parts.

The main attraction at Courtallam are the water Falls and there are quite a few to go around or shall I say go under. At last count there were Nine

First up we visited the "Five" Falls the water cascading down from five distinct spots above and providing a large enough bathing area for Males(3) and Females(2),separated by a railing.

Five falls - Extreme left is hiding from the shot

Experience under the forceful fall of cold,refreshing and pure water is Fantastic,but do not think you can continue with this feeling for long…during the season you are jostled and pushed out  by the throng and It is case of Jaragandi all over again! Unless you shamelessly stay over without a thought for fellow humans.Or you can decide to make it after 12 AM for a refreshing bath before a good sleep.

The water in these falls is reputed to have curative powers for a number of  health disorders.It is said that the hills abound in numerous herbs and plants which are used in the preparation of Siddha medicines. The water flows through and  picking up the curative elements, showers it upon humanity..

Tenkasi, meaning Kasi of the South is the nearest town some 5 km from Courtallam,. It is considered  here  like the fabled temple town of Varnasi.

Kasi Viswanathar temple.A vast temple complex built 700 years ago by a Pandya king as a substitute for the Kasi Siva temple in the North, under the guidance of God. A grand Gopuram,spacious courtyard to introspect and enjoy the breeze and a clean temple welcomes the devotees.

Tirunelveli's famous and delicious wheat halwa, made with loads of sugar and desi ghee is available nearby as are very many varieties of Pickles, Appalams and Podis.

Sankaran kovil: It is situated at Tirunelveli District and 56 km away from Tenkasi. It was built by Ukira Pandiyan in AD 900.and houses the deity by the name Sankara Narayanan, which is half Lord Shiva and  half Lord Vishnu.

Sri Gomathi Amman's deity is also here.My wife tells me that there was a time when at least one girl in a Tirunelveli family was named Gomathi.

                                                                                    

                                                                               
If you decide to go to Courtallam,plan to visit in July-Aug and just spend 1 or 2 nights here and proceed to other places of interest in T.N. or Kerala.