Courtallam – Kanyakumari

Courtallam Falls is a beautiful water-scape that is found in the city of Kanyakumari or the Cape Comorin; which is a city that is in the southern most part of India. Courtallam Falls is one of the beautiful areas there for which many people come to visit in great numbers every year.

Contrary to popular belief Courtallam Falls consists of not just one but many different falls that are together in one place. Soaking your head under these falls is an experience that no one forgets. In addition, it is thought that these falls have curing powers especially to those who have mental ailments.

Kanyakumari is located in the state of Tamil Nadu and it is the southernmost point of the Indian peninsula. The enchanting natural beauty of this place attracts hordes of tourists from far corners of India and the world at large. The place is blessed with a pleasant climate and you will come across several places of tourist interest that are located here. The tourist attractions in Kanyakumari are chiefly of religious and historic importance. The sea shore of Kanyakumari is well-known for exquisite sunset and sunrise.

The Waterfalls At Courtallam:

Main Falls:
The most popular and frequented waterfalls are the Main falls. Not only during the season, but also during the period November to January, the crest receives the Northeastern monsoon emptying itself on the slopes to swell the falls and the Chittar River. From a height of 300 ft., the Chittar River makes its last descent to the plains.

Chittaruvi Or Small Falls:
Adjacent to the Main falls is a small cascade called “Chittaruvi”. Women and timid persons resort these falls.

Shenbagadevi Falls:
A mile away from the Main falls is the Shenbagadevi falls, so called because of its location near to the temple of Shenbagadevi. During full moon days large crowds visit this temple. Five Falls, Courtalklam, Tamil Nadu.

Honey Falls:
About 3 miles from the Main falls on the upper crusts of the rocks is the Honey falls. It is so called because of beehives on the promontory. It is a romantic place of solitude and those who seek seclusion come here to meditate on reality.

Five Falls:
Connected by a good road about 3 miles from the Main falls are the Five falls, so named as the cascade spreads in five heads like a hooded cobra. This spot is venerated highly as it presents an image of Adisesha with several hoods.

Tiger Falls:
About 6 furlongs from the Main falls is the Tiger falls with a temple for Sastha nearby. Bathing ghats have been provided for pilgrims.

New Falls:
Perched at an elevation of 1000 ft, and one and half miles from the Main falls is the New falls amidst a sylvan landscape of wild forest. The panoramic view from this ledge is beautiful affording a sight of the entire town below.

Old Falls:
About 4 miles from the Main falls is the Old falls, rarely frequented.

Apart from all these falls Courtallam is also famous for Thirukootachalanathar Temple, meaning- Lord of three peaks.

Thirukootachalanathar Temple:
The temple is dedicated to Lord Thirukootachalanathar (Shiva). This temple contains many inscriptions about Chola and Pandya Kings. Less than a furlong from here is a small temple called “Chitra Sabha” (Hall of Pictures) dedicated to Lord Nataraja and decorated with paintings of rural deities and devotees, puranic stories and religious events. The Sabha is one of the five Sabhas where Lord Nataraja performed the cosmic dance.

Another interesting place is Thirumalai – 15-km from Courtallam, where there is a beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Muruga on the ranges of the Western Ghats.

Tourist Attractions in Kanyakumari:

Kanyakumari Temple:
Overlooking the shoreline, Kanyakumari temple is dedicated to Parvati as Devi Kanya. The Hindu Mythology has it that this was the place where the Virgin Goddess did penance to obtain the hand of Lord Shiva. Devi Kanyakumari is revered as ‘the protector of India’s shores’. The temple is open for the devotees and tourists early in the morning from 04:30am to 11:30am and again from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. There is one downside about this temple that no one other than Hindus are allowed inside.

Padmanabhapuram Palace:
As a unique repository of some of the most ancient monuments in South India, Padmanabhapuram Palace is about 15 km from Nagercoil. Built with strategic planning and military architecture, the palace remained the seat of power for the Travancore emperors till 1790. The palace is popular for its striking aesthetic beauty, innovative designs and timeless wooden carvings.

Vivekananda Memorial:
About half a kilometer away from the mainland, Vivekanad Memorial is perched on one of two rocks separated by about 70 meters. Built in 1970, the memorial is dedicated to Swami Vivekananda, India’s greatest social reformer. This was the rock on which Vivekanand meditated in his quest to know the truth and enlightenment. Today this memorial has a meditation room, where you can sit in peace and reflect. The memorial has a stature of Swami Vivekanand and it also houses the different styles of temple architecture from across India. It opens from Wednesday to Monday. Tuesday is holiday. It is open from 7am to 11am and from 2pm to 5pm.

Gandhi Mandapam:
Quite near to the Kumari Amman Temple there is the Gandhi Mandapam, built in remembrance of Mahatma Gandhi. The memorial is said to have been built on the place where the urn carrying his ashes was kept before it was immersed in the confluence. The memorial reminds one of an Oriyan temple and was designed in such a manner that on Gandhiji’s birthday (2nd October), the sun’s rays kiss the place where his ashes were kept.

Suchindram Temple:
Dedicated to the trinity of Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma, Suchidram temple is just 13kms from Kanniyakumari, The temple has a captivating gopuram, musical pillars and an imposing statue of the Hanuman.