Waterfalls of Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala	Kollam, Kerala	Kottayam, Kerala
Pathanamthitta, Kerala	Idukki, Kerala	Ernakulam, Kerala
Thrissur, Kerala	Palghat, Kerala	Malapuram, Kerala
Kozhikode, Kerala	Wayanad, Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram District

Aruvi Waterfalls :60 kms from Thiruvananthapuram and 7 kms from Bonecaud estate are the beautiful Aruvi Waterfalls in the Peppara forest range. This 4 feet cascade is one of the most verdant and untouched spots in Kerala. Road accessibility is only up to Bonecaud, there on; the Kanni tribesmen accompany trekkers along the mountain path. Prior permission from the forest department is required before approaching the area.
Kombaikani and Meenmutti Waterfalls :These are two magnificent waterfalls on the upper reaches of the Neyyar Reservoir. A trek of 2 kms through dense forests, would take one to Meenmutti waterfalls and a further 2 kms, to the Kombaikani waterfalls. The waterfalls and forecasts around them are worth experiencing

Pathanamthitta District

Perumthenaruvi :
Perumthenaruvi is a famous waterfall on the banks of the River Pamba. Here, the water flows down a rocky bed into a ravine 60 to 100 feet deep. The place is a favourite picnic spot for both domestic and foreign tourists.

Thrissur District

Athirapally and Vazhachal Waterfalls :East of Chalakudy, near the entrance of the Sholayar forest ranges are the beautiful waterfalls of Athirapally and Vazhachal, 5 kms apart.

Kozhikode District (Calicut)

Thusharagiri :
Lying 50kms east of Kozhikode, Thusharagiri is a little tribal tourist spot in Kerala. Tow streams originating from the Western Ghats meet here to form the River Challipuzha. The river diverges into three waterfalls, creating a snowy spray, which gives the name 'Thusharagiri' which means 'snowy peak'. A 5km trek upstream will take one to the stream's origin. Of the three waterfalls, the highest is the Thenpara that drops 75 metres below.

Kollam District Palaruvi Waterfalls : This waterfall falls in the border of Kerala and Tamilnadu. Its access is 35 kilometers east of Punalur on the Quilon - Shenkottah road. It is near Ariankavu mountain pass. 5 kilometers away is the spectacular Palaruvi waterfall at an attitude of 300 ft. with smaller cascades nearby. There you can see ruins of ancient temples. The water is said to be medicated as it flows down from the forest and is said to be a preventive for many diseases.

Idukki District

Attukal :
This place is located between Munnar and Pallivasal, and a beautiful sight of waterfalls and rolling hills can be seen here. Attukal is also ideal for long treks

Cheeyappara :
The Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls are located between Narimangalam and Adimali on the kochi-Madurai highway. The Cheeyapara waterfalls cascade down in seven steps. It is a real feast for the eyes.

Nyayamkad :
10 Kms from Munnar, located between Munnar and Rajamala Nyamkad is a land of breathtaking waterfalls. The Waters cascade down a hill from a height of about 1600 meters, the enchanting surrounding make an excellent picnic spot and trekking point.

Power House Waterfall :
18 Km from Munnar, this waterfall is on the way to Thekkady from Munnar, which cascades down to step rock 2000m above sea level. The spot is enriched which the scenic western mountain range and is an ideal place for a break on the way to the Periyar Wildlife sanctuary.

Palakkad District (Palghat) Dhoni : A Dhoni waterfall is a 3 hours trek from the base of the Dhoni Hills. A thick reserve forest surrounds it. Dhoni is about 15 kms from Palakkad. Meenvallam : A Meenvallam waterfall is around 8kms from Thuppanad junction on the Palakkad- Manarkkad route. It is a combination of enchanting beauty and scenic splendor. The water falls from nearly 20 to 25 feet and the depth is around 15-20 feet. There are 10 steps of waterfalls of which eight are located in the upper hills inside the dense forest. They are inaccessible, only the remaining two steps are accessible. One has to hire a jeep from Koomankund junction and then trek a distance of 1.5 km by crossing the river Thuppanad.

Wayanad District Chethalayam Waterfalls :Chethalayam Waterfalls is located 12kms from Sultan Bathery. One has to trek around 4kms from Chethalayam for having a glimpse of this lovely waterfall. Kanthanpara Waterfalls : This waterfall is about 30 m in height and gives a panoramic view. It is located 12 kms southeast of Kalpetta Meenmutty Waterfalls : Meenmutty Waterfalls has a cascading waterfall in three tiers, from a height of 500 metres. It is located 12kms east of Meppadi Sentinal Rock Water Fall :  Sentinal Rock Water Fall is 22kms at Soochipara near Meppadi, south of Kalpetta. A three step water fall of more than 200m in height with a fantastic scenery provides for white water rafting, swimming, bathing, etc., The tree top huts at Soochipara will give unique view of the valleys of Western Ghats. It is also an ideal place for rock climbing. Soochipara Waterfalls : Soochipara Waterfalls is located 22 kms from Hotel Green Gates. One can reach the waterfalls only after a 2-km walk into the dense equatorial forest of Wayanad. Kottayam District Kesari Waterfalls : The Kesari waterfalls, also known as Valanjamkanam falls, lies between Kuttikanam and Murinjapuzha on the Kottayam-Kumaly route. Valanjamkanam is a 3 hr. journey from Kottayam by any bus to Kumaly; trek to Kuttikanan offers additional adventurous spirit and closeness to nature. Maramala Waterfall : This lies a few kms away from Eerattupetta. It is exactly 7 kms from Teekoy rubber estate. From here a private vehicle can take you further 2 kms after which the road is not motor able. To reach the falls one has to trek through the estate over the rocky path. The waterfall is about 60 metres in height, falling into a 12-meter deep pool and joins the River Teekoy way down. Ernakulam District Mulamkuzhi : This is a tiny village nearly 15kms from Malayattur. The crystal clear medicated water of the River Mulamkuzhi and the waterfalls of Venanbravady near Malayattur is an enchanting sight. There is also a confluence of the rivers Periyar and Perumthode. Thommankuthu : 28 km from Thodupuzha is Thommankutthu, which is famous for its numerous waterfalls. This place is ideal for natural lovers as the seven-step waterfall here is a much loved picnic spot. At each step, there is a cascade and a pool beneath to enjoy the panoramic beauty; the best way is to undertake a trek that takes one to the top of the mountain, a 12 km. climb. Malapuram District Adyanpara : Adyanpara in Kurmbalangod village of Nilambur Taluk is famous for its waterfalls and the splendor of the wooded jungle surrounding it. This cascade is a spectacle of unrivalled grandeur. The wild beauty of this place is a rare treat for the eyes and heart of the travellers.

Keralam

Kerala

Information about Kerala:-

Kerala, the god's own country is situated on the southwestern tip of India. Thiruvananthapuram or commonly known as Trivandrum is the cosmopolitan and capital city of Kerala. Kerala is surrounded by the Arabian Sea in the west, the Western Ghats in the east and is networked by forty four rivers. It stretches along the coast of the Arabian Sea and is separated from the rest of the sub continent by the steep Western Ghats. The state lies between 80 degree 18' and 120 degree 48' north latitude and 740 degree 52' and 770 degree 22' east longitude. The breadth of the state varies from 32 kms in the extreme north and south to over 120 kms in the middle. Kerala is one of the most famous tourist destination in India. Kerala offers everything to the tourists which ranges from an equable climate, serene beaches, backwaters, hill stations, exotic wildlife sanctuaries, waterfalls, plantations, paddy fields, Ayurveda packages, art ,culture, music, dance, festivals, historical monuments, exotic cuisine and houseboat cruise. Today, Kerala is the India's most advanced state with the highest literacy rate. Kerala is also the most cleanest and peaceful state in India. For administrative purposes, the state of Kerala is divided into fourteen districts. Malayalam and English are the most common languages which are widely spoken in Kerala. Hinduism, Christianity and Islam religions are found in Kerala. The climate of Kerala is pleasant for most of the part of year. In summers, the temperature is about 24 to 30 degree Celsius and in winters it is about 22 to 32 degree Celsius.

History of Kerala:-

The history of Kerala is very distinct. According to the legend, the Lord Vishnu descended from the heavens in his incarnation of Parashuram. After slaying the evil kings 21 times over to repeal their force from earth, he did penance for waging the terrible war, and threw his axe into the sea. The area where the axe landed, from shaft to blade, Kerala rose from the sea.

The Phoenicians started the sea trade, and in 1000 BC Kerala was visited by King Solomon's ships that travelled to `Ophir', the modern Puvar, south of Trivandrum. Kerala was visited by the rulers from the other countries like Greece, Rome, Arabia, China. The Portuguese were forced out of the area. In 1795, the Dutch too had to move out, and the British traders had become the strongest power in India by that time. In all this period of prosperity and strife, the region's identity existed as the Malabar Coast and Cochin Travancore. It was only in 1956 that it gained recognition as an independent state, Kerala.

Geography of Kerala 

Kerala is bordered by the Arabian Sea in the west, Karnataka in the north and northeast, and Tamil Nadu and Western Ghats in the east. Geographically, Kerala is a part of the coastal belt and the Western Ghats runs along the Kerala. The rain bearing clouds of the south-west monsoon brings heavy rainfall to Kerala from May to September.

The location of Kerala gives it a unique climatic and geographic features. Kerala is networked by forty four rivers. Due to these unique geographical features, Kerala is one of the most famous tourist destination in India. The coastal belt of Kerala is lined with sandy and sunny beaches, palm lined shores and serene backwaters. The hill ranges of Kerala have hill stations, wildlife sanctuaries, tea estates and spice plantations



Cities in Kerala

Kerala's fourteen districts are distributed among Kerala's three historical regions of Malabar (northern Kerala), Kochi (central Kerala), and Travancore (southern Kerala). Some of the cities in the Kerala's modern districts are Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Palakkad in Malabar, Thrissur, Ernakulam in Kochi and Kottayam, Idukki, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram in Travancore.



People of Kerala

The majority of the people in Kerala are Dravidians. The main religion in Kerala is Hinduism with considerable percentage of Muslims and Christians. Christianity has a long history in this state, as it is believed that the first missionary from Europe landed on the coast of Kerala in the first millennium. There is highest literacy rate in Kerala which has resulted in high health care and health awareness among the people. The women in the state enjoys high social status in the society. Higher education and equal opportunities have further strengthened the women's status in the society.

Festivals of Kerala 


Kerala is a land of festivals where various festivals are celebrated round the year. These festivals are an essential part of the state and observed with great enthusiasm and fun in which the people of all caste and religion participate. Today, these festivals are perhaps the only occasion when the classical, folk and ritual arts  of the Kerala come alive and as well as represents the true tradition and culture.

Some of the major festivals which are celebrated in Kerala during the year are Onam, Thrissur Pooram, Thiruvathira, Vishu, Navarathri, Makaravillakku and Easter.
  

Cuisine of Kerala  The cuisine of Kerala is very rich and the culinary skills of the various communities in Kerala have given very large varieties to it. While Hindus are specialist in delicious vegetarian food. The Muslims and Christians are specialist in the non-vegetarian food like Pathiri and Kozhi curry (chicken), biriyanom fish dishes like meen pollichathu, fish moee. Coconut and spices are added to every dish in Kerala. Sadya, the typical Kerala feast is served on a banana leaf. Toddy, which is tapped from coconut trees is a favourite drink among the rural men, local people and tourists. Tender coconut water, the world’s safest natural soft drink, is a refreshing and nutritious.