Courtallam

Courtallam, Kutrallam குற்றாலம்
—  town  —
Main waterfalls
Courtallam, Kutrallam Location of Courtallam, Kutrallam in Tamil Nadu and India
Coordinates	8°55′18″N 77°16′43″E / 8.9217°N 77.2786°E / 8.9217; 77.2786Coordinates: 8°55′18″N 77°16′43″E / 8.9217°N 77.2786°E / 8.9217; 77.2786
Country	India
State	Tamil Nadu
District(s)	Tirunelveli
Population	2,368 (2001[update])
Sex ratio	1:1 ♂/♀
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Codes • Telephone • +04633 • Vehicle • TN 76

Courtallam (Kutraalam) (Tamil: குற்றாலம்) is a panchayat town situated at a mean elevation of 160 m (520 ft) on the Western Ghats in Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu, India. Many seasonal and a few perennial rivers such as the Chittar River, the Manimuthar River, the Pachaiyar River and the Tambaraparani River originate in this region. The numerous waterfalls and cascades along with the ubiquitous health resorts in the area have earned it the title the Spa of South India.

Demographics

As of 2001^[update] India census,^[1] Courtallam had a population of 2368. Males constitute 41% of the population and females 59%. Courtallam has an average literacy rate of 75%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 78% and, female literacy is 74%. 7% of the population is under 6 years of age. Although very close to the Kerala border, the entire population of Courtallam is homogenously Tamil.

Location

Nestled in the Western Ghats, Courtallam has exquisite surroundings. The charming hillocks which dominate the scenery disappear into the blue mist of Agasthiarmalai, the mountain bearing the name of a sage who made immense contributions to Tamil literature and is believed to have lived in the area.^[2] The closest towns to Courtallam are Sengottai and Tenkasi at 5 km (3.1 mi) and Panpoli at 9 km (5.6 mi) away. The closest airport is Tuticorin Airport (TCR) approximately 86 km (53 mi) away and the nearest railway station is Tenkasi, 5 km (3.1 mi) away.

Tourism

Courtallam, although a very small town, is packed with tourists during weekends and season-time. Its speciality is that it has a large number of waterfalls in one region that cant be seen in any part of the India. It is famous for its DUAL climate (rainfall and the mild sunshine at the same time). Few tourist spots in the world that have this type of dual climate. We can feel the fresh air in Courtallam within the few hours of staying. Many tourist from all over the world are attracted during the climatic season which occurs from June to mid September.

Nature's Gift

The main attraction of Courtallam for all its visitors are waterfalls. Many medicinal plants are available in the western ghats. It is believed that it helps to resolve psychological disorder also. The weather then is usually pleasant with gentle cool breeze and the occasional drizzle. During peak season, the crowds can become unmanagable in the waterfalls.

Falls in Courtallam

Upper portion of Old Falls cascade in Courtallam

Courtallam has nine waterfalls.

• Peraruvi (main falls) the biggest, is about 60m high. The water, interrupted by the Pongumakadal, a 19m deep crater, comes down with greatly reduced impact, making a bath there safe.
• In Chitraruvi (small falls), the flow is thin. Here nature has provided separate places for men and women to bathe. Chitraruvi leads to other waterfalls such as Shenbagadevi and Thenaruvi and the herbal farm.
• At Shenbagadevi falls, the water flows through shenbaga (Michaelia champak) trees. There is also a temple there, dedicated to Shenbagadevi Amman.
• About 3km from this is Thenaruvi (honey falls), 40m high and cascading between two large stones. In places where there is no water, one sees big honeycombs.
• Aintharuvi (five falls) is one where one thoroughly enjoys being in a crowd of bathers. Five separate cascades of water form this waterfalls.
• From the orchard above flows Pazhathotta Aruvi, the 'VIP falls'.
• The Pazhaya Courtalla Aruvi (Old Courtallam falls) used to fall into a valley from between two rocks. The valley was closed and the rocks were broken to change the course of water and make bathing easier. It was reopened later.
• The artificial Puli Aruvi (Tiger Falls) has a moderate flow of water which collects in a lake and is diverted for irrigation.^[3]

The three major waterfalls reachable by road are the Main Falls, Five Falls, and Old Courtallam Falls. Other waterfalls like Shenbaga Devi Falls and Honey Falls are reachable only by trekking on the mountain. The smaller falls called the Tiger Falls, called by that name as it was known to have been frequented by tigers looking for water. There is another small falls inside the Government Horticulture Park above Five Falls, but it is off limits to the public. Other attractions include the boat houses near Five Falls and Old Courtallam Falls, snake park, a public aquarium, small children's parks and play areas.

Nearby Tourist Interests

The Palaruvi Falls is across the state border in Kerala.^[4]

courtalleswaran Temple.

Boat House.

Religious

Courtallam is not just waterfalls: its temples too attract visitors. The most important among these is the Chitra Sabha, one of the five sabhas with Nataraja, Shiva in the dancing posture as the main deity. (The others are the Rathna Sabha at Thiruvalangadu, the Kanaka Sabha at Chidambaram, the Velli Sabha at Madurai and the Thamira Sabha at Tirunelveli). The Tamil poet Thirukudarasappa Kavirayar sang about the beauty of this place in his ""Courtalla Kuravanji" standing on its highest point at 1565m. The temple at the foot of the hill is conch-shaped which has special significance in Hindu tradition. The paintings at the Chitra Sabha were renovated about 100 years ago. ^[5][6]

Other nearby temples are:

1. Thirumalaikovil is located near to the Sengottai that is Panpoli.
2. Kasi vishwanathar temple in Tenkasi

Resorts

There are numerous resorts, hotels and lodges in Courtallam. Some of the resorts are maintained with the International Standards. Most of the luxorious hotels are located near to the main falls and Old Courtallam.

Modes of Transport

1. Roadways - available.
2. Railways - available.
3. Airways - not available.

Roadways

Courtallam is mainly connected by bus transport to the two main cities of Tenkasi and Shenkottai. Madurai to Shenkottai buses are frequently available in Courtallam. Buses are frequently available only during the season time. In the remaining months most of the buses takes Ilanji to reach Shenkottai. Like buses to Old Courtallam also available during the season time only.

Railways

There are no railway stations in Courtallam. But from the Tenkasi Railway station, one can reach Courtallam within 20 minutes.

1. Podhigai Express which comes from Chennai Egmore to Shenkottai and vice versa.
2. Shenkottai to Madurai Passenger and vice versa.
3. Shenkottai to Tirunelveli Passenger and vice versa(now stopped because of the conversion from metre gauge to the broad gauge).

Some special trains from Chennai Egmore and Tuticorin are run by Southern Railway occasionally.

Banking

Indian overseas bank with ATM is available near the bus stand.

See also

• List of waterfalls in India

External links

• Courtallam Pictures More Pictures of Courtallam
• Honey Falls pictures and info

References

1. ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. http://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999. Retrieved 2008-11-01. 
2. ^ The cascades of Courtallam Frontline Magazine , pg 60, Sep 15-28, 1990
3. ^ The cascades of Courtallam Frontline Magazine , pg 60, Sep 15-28, 1990
4. ^ "Palaruvi Falls". World of Waterfalls. http://www.world-of-waterfalls.com/asia-palaruvi-falls.html. Retrieved 2010-06-26. 
5. ^ The cascades of Courtallam Frontline Magazine , pg 60, Sep 15-28, 1990
6. ^ http://courtrallanatharswamytemple.org/templelores.htm Thiru Courtallanathar Thirukovil] Sri Courtralanathaswami Temple

• http://www.Surandai.com