This spa of South India situated in the southern part of Tamilnadu is a must visit for people who love to bathe in water falls. This is about 5 hrs drive from Madurai or a 15 minute drive from Tenkasi the nearest railroad.
The main attraction consists of six waterfalls where you can have a bath. They are Main falls in the middle of the town, Shenbagadevi falls about an hours uphill walking from the Main falls, Five falls about 6 kms from the main falls, Old Courtallam about 20 mts drive from the main falls, Tiger falls about 10 mts drive from the Main falls. There is one more called Honey falls still above the Shenbg\agadevi falls for the more adventorous. Apart from these falls situated in the town itself there are several others like one across the Kerala border known as Palaruvi or Milk falls. Its about an hour and half drive from the town. Agasthiyar falls about two hours drive from the town and a Dam above it. There is one more falls there where the water is so pure & clean that you cant use soap for your bath. Enough about the places.
There is one reason to visit this place. Eat, have a massage and bath and sleep. Complete R & R only. Once you have the massage & bath you become so ravenous you will be searching for food and ready to maybe finish a whole goat( if it is possible). Having a bath in these falls is so refreshing. The water is so clean and full of some herbs of the mountain ranges from where the water flows that a person suffering cold wouldnt get any worse. Most probably it would go away. Well it was so, but for the past few years the city’s curse has started affecting the waters there also. POLLUTION.
The best time is during the monsoons when you can enjoy the SARAL or what is actually a slight drizzle with sunshine. You wont feel the heat nor the rain. Its just a nature caress. You just cant explain it, but you have to experience it.
Places to stay. there are numerous lodges catering to all classes from the bare minimum to the slighly higher end. there are no High end ones barring one which has come up quite recently. there are numerous houses which are rent out on per day basis with kitchens etc. Usually people go there in groups with cooks and stay for a week minimum and it is economical for them to cook their own food. The other reason could be lack of good restaurants
There are several non vegetarian restaurents like the Pandian hotel and the Border Kadai(about 15 mts drive) which serve typical south Indian non vegetarian varieties.
Monsoon is fast approaching and I am getting ready for my trip.