It is one of the five major temples dedicated to Lord Ayyappa in Kerala. It is set amidst lush greenery and beautiful mountains of the Western Ghats. The pristine Achankovil river flows right in front of the temple. I am talking about the Aryankavu Saastha temple that is located in the village of Aryankavu on the Shenkottai – Kollam highway.
Lord Parasurama set up five temples committed to goddess Kali on the beach front area and five Saastha temples on the mountain slopes for the well being of Kerala. Aryankavu Saastha temple is one of those temples. The name of the place comes from a mix of words Aryan (lord Ayyappa) and Kavu (holy forest). The Aryankavu Saastha temple, that is built about 35 feet below the road level, portrays Lord Ayyappa as a boy sitting on an elephant with his right leg hanging and his left leg tucked under him in an sitting position. This youthful Ayyappa sits in the middle of Devi (on the left) and Shiva (on the right) in the sanctum sanctorum. As in Sabarimala, the temple too has 18 steps to reach the shrine.
The temple is built in traditional architectural style of both Kerala and Tamil Nadu and it preserves several murals of deities. Devotees visit this temple to seek relief from Shani dosha and unmarried individuals pray to the lord to get married. They also seek redemption from diseases, poverty, snake bites, accidents and natural calamities. The Aryankavu Saastha temple is considered very important for the Saurasthtrian people.
According to legend, Swamy Ayyappan married Shri Pushkaladevi of the Saurashtra community in Aryankavu. The Thiru kalyanam festival is celebrated every Dhanu month (December 15 to January 15) to commemorate this divine wedding.
This water body flows through medicinal herbs and plants in the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu and Kerala before plunging down from a height of 300 feet deep in the forests of Kerala. It offers a beautiful mix of adventure, rich forest experience, a herbal bath under a waterfall, a short uphill trek and lots of nature. I am talking about the gorgeous Palaruvi falls that is located inside the Thenmala forest of Kerala.
Located near the village of Aryankavu in the Kollam district of Kerala, Palaruvi Falls is formed deep inside the Thenmala forest where the Kallada river plunges from a height of 300 feet in a frothy stream of milk. The entrance to Palaruvi falls is right on the highway connecting Aryankavu with Kollam. When you travel from Aryankavu to Kollam, the entrance falls to your left, just a few kilometers from Aryankavu. A short distance ahead is the parking lot where you can buy the entrance tickets. Private vehicles are not allowed to the waterfall and all visitors have to compulsorily opt for the forest bus service that plys regularly between the parking lot and the waterfall entrance.
This forest bus journey lasting about 20 minutes takes you deep into the forest and where the road meanders along the Kallada river. As you enjoy the lush terrain and the beautiful trees while getting slightly irritated by the bumpy bus ride, you are dropped at the end of 20 minutes at the waterfall main entrance from where you need to hike uphill for about 20 to 30 minutes depending on your stamina. There is a small cafe at this main entrance where you can find some food and beverages. Beyond this cafe, you will find anything to eat or drink and the route to the waterfall is completely plastic free, which means that you cannot discard any plastic items and sometimes the forest department might not allow you to carry any plastic items.
For the uphill trek, I would recommend that you make it right to the top with as few a stops as possible. This will be a great workout and you can enjoy the waterfall view from the top most view point while you allow your heart rate to come back to normal. After catching your breath on the top and after clicking umpteen pictures of the waterfalls and its surroundings, you can start making your descent and head to the bathing area. Here, you can rejuvenate yourself in the herbal waters of the waterfall and the pool below it. It is best to watch your step while bathing as the water current can be a bit strong at times and the rocks are usually slippery.
The cold waters of the waterfall and the mountain stream feel so good after the sweaty hike to the top most view point from the waterfall entrance and it is this moment that makes it totally worth it. The herbal bath along with the thundering roar of the waterfall and the lush forest views make it a stunning experience. Some hot banana fritters with a cup of hot coffee at the local cafe is a perfect way to end your trip to Palaruvi Falls.
Palaruvi Falls is a perfect location for a waterfall holiday day trip near Trivandrum and Kollam in South Kerala. The herbal waterfall that drops like milk from the sky amidst dense greenery is a sight to behold and to bathe under it is a different experience altogether. I would recommend this gem of a waterfall to all those who like nature getaways.
Visiting Hours:
8 AM to 6 PM
Entrance Fees
Per Adult – INR 25
Per Adult for Bus Ride – INR 30
Per Car for parking – INR 70
Things to keep in mind while visiting Palaruvi Falls:
1) The entire Palaruvi Falls is strictly a ‘NO PLASTIC’ zone. Hence, do carry your food items and beverages in stainless steel or non plastic containers/bottles
2) The monkeys of Palaruvi are known to be rowdy when it comes to food items. Do not open your food or eat your food in front of them. Also, do not try to feed them as they are wild animals
3) Leeches can be found on the hike to Palaruvi Falls, especially during the wet season. Do exercise caution
4) After the cafe at the waterfall entrance, there is no food or water available anywhere. Do carry your snacks and water with you as you will need it
5) The waterfall area and the pool below it has a strong current. The rocks are also slippery. Do watch your step. There are forest guards to help you out in case you need any help
6) Do not use shampoo, soap or oil while bathing as this water source serves up as the drinking water for the people living down stream
7) The forest bus doesn’t leave till the bus is filled up. Do plan your itinerary accordingly
Best season to visit:
Palaruvi falls usually has water from June through February. February to May is the dry season and there is hardly any water or just a faint trickle. It is best to avoid these three months. During days of heavy rainfall, the waterfall can contain copious amounts of water and at this time, bathing might be restricted. However, hikes to the waterfall and to the view points are usually allowed. It is best to check in with the Kerala Forest Department – Thenmala Ecotourism team about current ground conditions before you embark on your trip.
How to reach there:
The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram international airport, about 90 kms away.
The nearest railway station is Aryankavu, about 6 kms away. The nearest large railway stations are Kollam (84 kms), Shencottai (22 kms) and Trivandrum (88 kms) away. For a convenient journey from the station to your destination, you can opt for a car rental in Trivandrum, ensuring a smooth and flexible travel experience.
Buses plying on the Kollam – Shencottai route will drop you at the entrance to the Thenmala ecotourism office. From here, you will have to walk till the parking lot.
Where to stay:
There are a few basic accommodation options inside Thenmala forest. You can stay there if proximity is your main criteria.
If you wish to stay close to the Arabian Sea, look up hotels in Kollam, Varkala and/or Thiruvanathapuram. Luxury properties are also available at these locations.
If you wish to stay in rustic Tamil Nadu, I would recommend staying at the guest houses and resorts in and around Courtallam.
If you wish to stay in traditional Brahmin agraharams, I would recommend trying the homestays or guest houses at the villages of Shencottai, Alwarkurichi or Kallidaikurichi.
Where to eat:
There is a cafe at the waterfall entrance where they dish out basic snacks and beverages. If you wish to have meals, I think you should head to Aryankavu or any of the hotels on the highway.
For slightly more elaborate meals, you should try the restaurants at either Tenkasi, Punalur, Kollam or Thiruvanathapuram.
It is a colonial era bridge that was the first of its kind in South India and connected the then Travancore kingdom with the Pandya land of Tamil Nadu. This 13 arch stone and concrete bridge is a 120 year old architectural marvel. It was made out of stone, wood and limestone mortar when this bridge used to support a meter gauge. Today, it has been strengthened with stone and concrete to support a broad gauge line. This bridge that is a part of the lesser known mountain railways of Kerala is a treat for nature lovers. Many movies have been shot here. Katradhu Tamil, Jayam, Vettam and Megham to name a few. I am talking about the Pathimoonu Kannara bridge or the the 13 arch bridge at Kazhathurithi that is a part of one of India’s oldest mountain rail lines.
Running parallel to the Kallada river and the Kollam – Sengottai road highway, the vintage pathimoonu kannara bridge (13 arch bridge) is a sight to behold. Standing on 13 granite pillars that is almost a hundred feet tall, this bridge is 337 meters long and is surrounded by tall mountains and lush greenery. On either side of the bridge are dark tunnels that have been cut through the Western Ghat mountains. In fact, most of the Kollam – Sengottai rail line is famous for its tunnels. The longest one on this route is the 892 meter long Aryankavu tunnel, one of the longest railway tunnels in Kerala. It connects the Aryankavu railway station in Kerala with Bhagavathipuram railway station in Tamil Nadu.
This railway line and the 13 arch bridge was conceived by the Maharaja Uthram Thirunal of Travancore and constructed by the British in the foothills of the Western Ghats to transport forest products, spices and cashew from Kollam to Chennai. This route was once the lifeline for the people of South Kerala and South Tamil Nadu. It supported the plantation economy in this region. Today, this 13 arch bridge, the umpteen tunnels and this mountain railway line is a treat for nature lovers. On one end is the herbal waterfalls of Courtrallam, the forest waterfall of Palaruvi, Thenmala forest and on the other end is the backwaters and beaches of Kollam. In total, it makes for a fabulous weekend trip in the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
There is a flight of steps that allow you to climb to the top of the bridge. These steps are primarily kept for maintenance purposes, but tourists are generally allowed to climb up during the dry season. During the rains, the steps get slippery with moss and water and hence it is closed. If you climb up to the bridge, you can enjoy the spectacular vista of the Kallada river and the Western Ghat forests and mountains and you can also take a sneak peek into the tunnels. Do remember to keep an eye out for the trains plying on this route.
So, if you happen to be in India’s deep south in either Kerala or Tamil Nadu, do remember to drop by this vintage 13 arch bridge and soak in the colonial charm of the Indian Railways.
Best season to visit:
The pathimoonu kannara bridge is open all year round, but it looks the prettiest during the rains and right after the rains (June to December). If you wish to climb to the top of the bridge, opt for the dry months between January and May.
How to reach there:
The best way to explore this bridge and this route is to take the Kollam – Sengottai passenger trains that ply every day. You can stop at any of the stops enroute, do your exploration and then take the next train to your other destination.
There are also regular buses that ply between Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Most of these buses stop at all the stops, though frequency of buses might vary during the day or night.
The most flexible way to explore this route is to have your own vehicle. It will allow you the comfort of spending more time at the location of your choice. Cars, motorcycles and cycles are all equally good choices on this mountain route. Each offer different benefits.
Where to stay:
If you like to stay within forests, opt for the forest guest houses located inside Thenmala forest.
If you like properties surrounded by paddyfields and mountains, you should look at the resorts in and around Courtrallam.
If you wish to stay within traditional Tamil Brahmin agraharams, opt for the home stays and guest houses in the villages of Kallidaikurichi and Sengottai.
If you wish for luxury properties, do look at the ones in Thiruvanathapuram and Kollam.
Where to eat:
There are some places to eat near Thenmala forest eco tourism center, but the food options would be basic. If you wish to find better quality restaurants, you might need to go to Tenkasi in Tamil Nadu, Punalur, Kollam or Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala depending on the direction you are heading.
Other nearby tourist attractions:
1) Courtrallam: The herbal bath holiday destination of Tamil Nadu
2) Kasi Visvanathar Temple: 13th century temple located at Tenkasi that is famous for its large gopurams
3) Aryankavu Saastha Temple: Famous temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa
4) Thenmala Forest and Palaruvi Falls: Offbeat nature and wildlife getaway
