Rightly called the "Niagara of India"
Athirappilly (Athirapally) Falls is located around 75 km north east of Kochi.
The 145 km Chalakkudy river originating in the Anamudi mountain of the
Western Ghats and flows through the Vazhachal forest towards Arabian Sea. At
Athirappilly falls water surges around big rocks and cascades in 3 separate
plumes. You will start feeling the green environment and forest the moment you
take turn to the Athirapally road from Chalakkudy on National Highway 47.
Athirapally or often spelled Athirapilly, is one of the
wildest water falls in the Chalakudy river in Thrishur district, of
the south Indian state - Kerala.The river gushes down through
the rocks from a height of about 80 feet. This river is flowing
towards the Arabian Sea. Athirapally waterfalls is unique in India.
The journey from
Chalakudy to the Athirappilly Falls passes through a landscape of winding
roads, small villages and lush green trees
Walk around 10 mins from the Entrance you reach the river
flowing past the rocks and trees. You find little children playing in the river
and a few steps ahead the water goes down more than 80 ft. Trek another 20
minutes down the hill you reach under the falls. Its quite a long descent to
the foot of the falls, but certainly worth the effort. If you have difficulty
in walking and climbing or if you have toddlers, you better avoid the second
part.
View from the top of
the falls
To reach at top of the Athirapally waterfall we can reach
via a paved path that leads through thick bamboo clusters.
About 7 million tourists visit the falls spot every year,
still the place is well maintained, greenery restored and cleanliness has been
taken care of.
This is the place where you may be directed first by the
Guards here in Athirapally. You are allowed go a little more nearer to the
falls if the season is not the Monsoons. Guards will allow river bath in a safe
place a few meters above this falls.
The charm of the Athirampally nature cannot be described by
words, Starting calmly from the high ranges, and crashing through gorges
overhung with trees, these waterfall is one of the best places in India to
re-capture a real sense of the classical idea of the 'Picturesque' - not just
calm and sweet, but something wild and natural.
This wild roaring river shower of Kerala attracts foreigners
as well as the local tourists throughout the year. The scenic and picturesque
beauty of the place has made it the ultimate location for shooting movies,
particularly the duet songs.
The cool misty waters cascading down in the backdrop of the
thick green forests and rocky terrain, are a scintillating experience to any
visitor or tourist.
The Athirapally falls is the largest waterfall in Kerala and
forms on the Chalakudy river deep in the Vazhachal forests of the Western
Ghats.
Athirapally waterfalls is a panoramic, charming and
bewitching place for the tourists to relax and de-stress. Though a little off
season when we visited, the falls were still thundering down with tremendous
force and were fascinating to view.
It takes only less than a day to cover the falls, but if you
really want to immerse fully into it stay at a resort, preferably a place where
you can hear the sound of the fall to fill your soul with freshness. As the
visiting time to the falls is only from 9:00 Am to 5:00 PM, the only chance to view
the falls during Sunset and sunrise would be from a resort or from a trek path.
How to reach :
By Air : Kochi International Airport
Nearest railway and from Kozhikode (Calicut) Airport is 80 km away from
city.
By Rail : Chalakkudy Railway
station is the nearest station, and Thrissur city is well connected and
serviced by rail to all major cities in India. Daily over night trains run from
Bangalore, Chennai, Mangalore and Hyderabad. Long distance trains from Mumbai
and Delhi also pass through Thrissur
By Road:
Take the Cochin Thrisur Highway from Chalakudy Railway
Station to reach Vazhachal Falls and You can also reach here by bus from cities
like Kozhikode, Mangalore, Kochi, Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai,
Mumbai and Coimbatore.
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