Courtallam

One of the major excursions around
Madurai is the city Courtallam. It lies 160 km from the temple city and is
famous for its waterfalls. Popularly known as the 'Spa of the South', it is
blessed with immense natural beauty. A panchayat town, it is situated on the
Western Ghats of India, at a height of about 167 m. Rivers such as the Chittar,
Manimuthar, Pachaiyar and Tambaraparani, originate from here. The pleasant
climate, scenic beauty and breathtaking waterfalls make Courtallam a hot spot
amongst the tourists.



Apart from being a tourist spot, the city is also a famous health resort. Its
waterfalls are said to possess medicinal properties and bathing in these falls
is one of the major tourist attractions. The water of the falls runs from the
forest, consisting of herbs and medicinal plants. This provides the water its
therapeutic value. It is said that the water cures physical ailments very
rapidly and has a soothing effect on a person. Tamil Nadu Tourism Development
Corporation even provides boating facilities for tourists.



Some of the most important waterfalls at Courtallam are Peraruvi (Main Falls),
Chitraruvi, (Small Falls), Shenbaga Devi Falls, Thenaruvi (Honey Falls)
Aintharuvi (Five Falls), Puli Aruvi (Tiger Falls), Pazhaya Aruvi (Old Falls),
Puthu Aruvi (New Falls) and the Pazhathotta Aruvi (Fruit Garden Falls). The
best time to visit these falls is June to September. The climate is very
pleasant here during this time. Courtallam water falls are lit during the night
for the convenience of the visitors. There is a Hindu temple in the city,
dedicated to Lord Siva, called the Kutraleeshwarar temple.



The Gopuram of the temple has inscriptions regarding Chola and Pandya Kings.
There is also a small temple nearby called Chitra Sabha. It is supposed that Lord
Nataraja performed the cosmic dance here. It is also believed that here, Sage
Agastyar got the vision to see the wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati
held at Mount Himalaya. Many people get married here to be blessed by the Lord.
There are a number of deities present inside the temple including Lord Vishnu,
Kasi Viswanathar, Kasi Visalakshi, Tenkasi Viswanathar Swamy and Ulagammai
Ambikai, Madurai Meenakshi and Sundareshwarar Swamy, etc.

Courtallam has nine waterfalls.

 

Peraruvi (main falls) the biggest falls in courtallam, is about 60m high. The flow of
     water is interrupted by the Pongumakadal, a 19m deep crater and
     comes down with greatly reduced impact, making a bath safe.

 

 In Chitraruvi (small falls), the flow is thin. Here naturally separate places for men
     and women are there to bathe. Chitraruvi leads to other waterfalls
     such as Shenbagadevi and Thenaruvi and the herbal farm.

 

At  Shenbagadevi falls, the water flows through shenbaga (Michaelia
     champak) trees. There is also a temple there, dedicated to Shenbagadevi
     Amman.

 

About 3 km from this is Thenaruvi (honey falls), 40m high and cascading
     between two large stones. In places where there is no water, one sees big
     honeycombs.

 

Aintharuvi (five falls) is one where one thoroughly enjoys being in a crowd of bathers.
     Five separate cascades of water form this waterfalls.

 

From the orchard above flows Pazhathotta Aruvi, the 'VIP falls'.

 

The Pazhaya  Courtalla Aruvi (Old Courtallam falls) used to fall into a valley from
     between two rocks. The valley was closed and the rocks were broken to
     change the course of water and make bathing easier. It was reopened later.

 

The  artificial Puli Aruvi (Tiger Falls) has a moderate flow of water
     which collects in a lake and is diverted for irrigation,sometimes tigers
     visit this place for water.^[3]

 

There is another small falls inside the Government Horticulture Park above Five
     Falls, but it is off limits to the public.

The three major
waterfalls reachable by road are the Main Falls, Five Falls, and Old Courtallam
Falls. Other waterfalls like Shenbaga Devi Falls and Honey Falls are reachable
only by trekking on the mountain.