Courtallam Falls (Kutralam): The Complete List of 9 Waterfalls
Courtallam, spelt Kutralam in Tamil, has nine waterfalls, all fed by the Chittar river as it drops off the Western Ghats in Tenkasi district, Tamil Nadu. The best known are Main Falls, Five Falls and Old Courtallam Falls, while New Courtallam, Tiger Falls, Shenbagadevi, Chitraruvi, Honey Falls and Fruit Garden Falls make up the rest. All nine lie within about 8 km of Courtallam town and 5 to 12 km of Tenkasi.
Courtallam falls list with location
| # | Falls (Tamil name) | Location / distance from Courtallam bus stand | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Main Falls (Peraruvi) | In town, 0.5 km | The signature 60 m fall. Separate men's, women's and VIP bathing sections, busiest of all |
| 2 | Five Falls (Aintharuvi) | 4 km, on the Tenkasi side | Water splits into five streams; family-friendly bathing, changing rooms and shops |
| 3 | Old Courtallam Falls (Pazhaya Kutralam) | 6 km, near Ilanji | Wide, gentle fall with a calmer atmosphere and a small temple |
| 4 | New Courtallam Falls (Puthu Aruvi) | 6 km, off the Tenkasi road | Dammed pool at the base for safe bathing; popular with children |
| 5 | Tiger Falls (Puli Aruvi) | 1 km, near Main Falls | Small, quiet fall; tiger sculpture at the spout |
| 6 | Chitraruvi (Small Falls) | 0.5 km, beside Main Falls | Low-flow fall used when Main Falls is closed or crowded |
| 7 | Shenbagadevi Falls | 3 km uphill from Main Falls | Forest trek to a temple and fall; permitted only in daylight |
| 8 | Honey Falls (Thenaruvi) | About 1 km beyond Shenbagadevi | Highest and most remote; forest permission needed, trek only |
| 9 | Fruit Garden Falls (Pazhathotta Aruvi) | 1 km, inside the Palaruvi fruit garden | Small fall inside a government garden; entry ticket |
Most visitors cover Main, Five, Old and New Courtallam in a single day. Shenbagadevi and Honey Falls need a forest trek and are frequently closed in heavy rain.
Courtallam Main Falls
Main Falls is the fall people mean when they say "Courtallam Falls". The Chittar drops about 60 metres onto rock beside the Kutralanathar Temple, and the bathing area is split into men's, women's and VIP sections with paid lockers and towel rooms. Bathing under the fall is the whole point; the water is said to carry minerals from the herbs it passes over on the hills, which is why Courtallam is called the spa of South India. On peak days the fall is closed during flash floods, so check the notice board at the entrance.
New Courtallam Falls
New Courtallam (Puthu Aruvi) is about 6 km from the main town towards Tenkasi. A wall at the base creates a shallow pool, so it is the safest of the nine for children and non-swimmers, and the surrounding lawn is used for picnics. It has a small entry fee, changing rooms and food stalls, and stays less crowded than Main Falls on weekends.
When to visit: the Saral season
Courtallam is a monsoon destination, not a summer one. The falls run full from June to September, when the south-west monsoon hits the Western Ghats and a constant drizzle called Saral cools the town. October to December has moderate flow. From January to May the falls can thin to a trickle, and in a poor monsoon year Main Falls is sometimes dry by April. Weekends in July and August are the busiest of the year.
Falls near Courtallam and Tenkasi (outside the nine)
| Waterfall Distance from Tenkasi Notes |
|---|
| Palaruvi Falls 20 km (Aryankavu, Kerala) 90 m fall in Kollam district, just across the border on the Shencottai road |
| Agasthiyar Falls 60 km (Papanasam) On the Thamirabarani river near the Agasthiyar temple |
| Manimuthar Falls 70 km (Manimuthar) Near the Manimuthar dam, best after rain |
| Thirparappu Falls 110 km (Kanyakumari district) Man-made cascade over a rock shelf, open year round |
How to reach Courtallam
| From | Distance | How |
|---|---|---|
| Tenkasi | 5 km | Town buses every few minutes, autos |
| Tirunelveli | 60 km | Buses and taxis, 1.5 hours |
| Madurai | 160 km | 3.5 hours by road; nearest major airport |
| Thoothukudi airport | 105 km | 2.5 hours |
| Chennai | 630 km | Overnight train to Tenkasi Junction |
Tenkasi Junction is the railhead. Trains from Chennai, Madurai and Tirunelveli stop here, and Courtallam is a 15-minute bus ride away.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the biggest fall in Courtallam?
Main Falls, at about 60 metres.
Which Courtallam fall is best for families?
New Courtallam and Five Falls, both with shallow bathing areas and facilities.
Is Courtallam open in summer?
The town is open but the falls are weak or dry between February and May. Visit between June and September.
Do I need to pay to bathe at the falls?
Main Falls, Five Falls and Old Courtallam have no entry charge; lockers and dressing rooms are paid. New Courtallam and Fruit Garden Falls charge a small entry fee.
Can I visit all nine falls in one day?
The seven road-accessible falls, yes. Shenbagadevi and Honey Falls need a separate morning for the trek.