Courtallam, a place where I live for past 30 years since my birth. Courtallam, the Spa of south and poor man's ooty....Courtalam water has medical properties since the water runs through forests of herbs and the water therapeutic qualities to cure physical ailments. During the season (period June to September in every year) thousands of tourists from far and near visit this place. Tourists who visit and bathe in the waters claim that the water has a smoothing effect, help the old feel young and the sick heal rapidly. This place has a chill and a superb climate with sizzling of rain drops which removes the stresses in our mind. The pure wind that starts from pothigai malai (mountain) removes the tiredness from our body.

'The Fruit Garden falls' is the pampered kid of Courtallam. It is dedicated to Lord Thirukutralanathar (Siva). It is said that Lord Siva send saint Agastheyar to the south to avoid imbalance due to overcrowding in the mount Kailas on his celestial wedding. Another notable feature of Courtalam is Chithra Sabha, in which a number of mural paintings of rural deities and stories from epics are depicted in the central hall. This sabha is one of the five Sabas where Lord Nataraja performed the Cosmic-dance. Moreover this temple contains many inscriptions about Chola and Pandya Kings. Chitra Sabha is made out of medicinal herbs. The wooden carved planks serve as doors. Numerous rivers such as the Chittar River, the Manimuthar River, the Pachaiyar River and the Tambaraparani River originate here.

Food, sight-seeing and shopping
Water Falls list in coutrallam
1) Peraruvi (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.

2) Chittraruvi: Adjacent to the Main falls is a small cascade called 'Chittraruvi'.

3) Shenbaga Devi 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.

4) Thenaruvi (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.

5) Aintharuvi (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 Adishesha with several hoods.

6) Pazhathotta Aruvi:

7) Puli Aruvi: About 6 furlongs form the Main falls is the Tiger Falls with a temple for Shastha nearby. Bathing ghats have also been provided for pilgrims.

8) Pazhaya Courtallam (Old Falls): About 4 miles from the Main falls is the Old falls, rarely frequented. Apart from all these falls the place is also famous for the Shiva shrive, Thirukootala nathar, ('Lord of three peaks').

9) Puthu Aruvi: Perched at an elevation of 1,00 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.

Water Falls around Coutrallam: 1) Gundarau Falls 2) Kummaroutti falls 3) Paalaru 4) Agastiyar Falls 5) Baanatheertham.

Temples in and around coutrallam: 1) Kutraleeswar Temple, Couratallam 2) Kashivishwanathar Temple, Tenkasi 3) Kumaran Temple, Ilanji 4) Thirumalai Kumarasamy Temple, Tirumalai koil 5) Shenbaga devi Temple, Senbagadevi 6) Anjaneyar Temple, Krishnapuram 7)Thoranamalai Temple.

How to reach:
From Chennai Direct train is available every day (Pothigai Express) & reach Tenkasi or Shenkottai. From Bangalore (6732 Train - Mysore- Tuticorin Express) to Viruthunagar, then Local Tenkasi Train (3 trains per day) & reach courtallam by Auto or Taxi. SETC operates 1 Ultra Deluxe & 1 AC bus from Banglaore to Shenkottai, 5kms form Coutrallm. From Chennai, Nellai Express operates form Egmore to Tirunelveli. From Tirunelveli, plenty of buses are avilable to Coutrallam. The Good time to visit Courtallam is June to September.. Can enjoy the monsoon, with drizzling (Saaral).

Source: Ravi Shankar @ Rasamby, Bangalore