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Friday, 12 June 2015

PALARUVI WATERFALLS, PALARUVI FALLS, PALARUVI WATERFALL, PALARUVI WATERFALL ARYANKAVU

Palaruvi Waterfall Kerala India
Palaruvi/ Palaruvi Falls/ Palaruvi waterfall is situated in Aryankavu in Kollam district; the word “Palaruvi” literally means ‘stream of milk’. The meaning of the name becomes clearer when one visits the waterfall, because the 299ft high waterfall looks like a stream of milk flowing. The waterfall is also referred as white horse's tail because it narrows on the top and widens on the bottom just like a horse's tail. The waterfall falls from a height of almost 300 feet forming a small pool at the bottom of the waterfall. The pool which is formed at the bottom of the waterfall becomes an ideal spot for swimming and a number of visitors do try swimming in this pond especially during monsoon. Palaruvi waterfall holds marvelous scenic beauty and normally gets high number of foot falls of tourists during the entire year. The gushing water stream which is at its peak during the monsoons attracts a large number of tourists especially during this time of the season as the waterfall stays almost dry during other seasons. The monsoon season attracts a large tourist crowd to this place because the water gushes down at high pace and the waterfall is at its full glory at this time of the year.                                                                            

Photo Gallery of Palaruvi Waterfalls

Palaruvi Falls was one of those waterfalls that apparently had ayurvedic healing properties as we were told the stream meandered through some natural herbal groves further upstream. To make it easier for visitors to get the benefit of these ayurvedic properties by bathing in the waterfall's waters, Julie and I noticed there were changing rooms as well as designated gender-separated bathing areas in the stream itself.

Beyond the bathing area, the walking path ascended a set of stairs leading up to a sheltered overlook. From that vantage point, it was difficult to capture the whole falls since it was too close to Palaruvi Falls, especially since the waterfall itself was too tall. It was said that this falls was around 300ft tall (other sources have claimed it to be 91m tall or 299ft). Nonetheless, there were more cascades and rapids further downstream of the main falls perhaps adding to our perception that Palaruvi Falls was indeed tall and impressive.

Palaruvi waterfall is inside thick forests on the high ranges of Aryankavu in an eco tourism location.  It is 6 km from Tamil Nadu border Kottavasal - Aryankavu.  This waterfall is from a height of 300 feet. This fall is into a shallow pool and is ideal for swimming.  During the rainy season, Palaruvi waterfall is attarctive and normally gets by one lakh people every year of tourists.  The water gushing during the monsoon season attracts huge crowds at this waterfall.  The fall gets dry during the summer season and the monsoon brings it to its full glory.  The area is considered family safe and the pool is relatively shallow for a dip.  There are separate location for kids and ladies. There is also watchman posted. Alcohol is banned in the area.

There is a Palaruvi Vana Samrakshana Samiti (VSS) created to protect this spot and some incidents of fights were recently reported in the media between some visitors and the PVSS.  However the area is a family tours spot with the help and vigil of local community.

The surrounding mountains ranges with blue hills as well as green valleys form beautiful surroundings to Palaruvi waterfall. Even the path to this waterfall is really a fascinating experience by itself. Palaruvi Waterfalls is usually a preferred picnic location for tourists, especially from south India. The ideal season to go to this waterfall is during the months of June and January because usually in the summer it runs dry.

The waters of Palaruvi Falls in fact have Ayurvedic medicinal properties because the stream flows via many natural herbal groves further upstream. Many visitors love the cool shower of the Palaruvi waterfalls.

Trekking is another activity done at Palaruvi Waterfalls. A three hour trekking, covering 6 Km, up to the waterfalls and down, passing through jungle streams, caves, evergreen forests to reach the top of the fall.

Access to Palaruvi is 35 kilometers east of Punalur on the Quilon - Shenkottah road. It is near Aryankavu mountain pass. 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.
Nearby attractions include Aryankavu Shastha Temple, Thenmala Eco Tourism Park and the Courtallam Falls.

How to Reach:
Reaching this place is absolutely easy as the roadways provide an excellent service and keep the place connected to the major cities. Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is about 77 km and from here you can easily board flights to almost all the major destinations across the world. Kollam railway station is situated nearby which connects to major cities of India.

From Trivandrum by Road

Trivandrum → Nedumangadu → Palode → Kulathupuzha → Thenmala → Aryankavu → Palaruvi

OR

Trivandrum → Kottarakkara → Punalur→Thenmala → Aryankavu → Palaruvi

From Kollam by Road and Rail

Kollam → Kottarakkara → Punalur → Thenmala → Aryankavu.

From  Cochi by Road

Cochi: → Kottayam → Adoor → Kottarakkara →Punalur → Aryankavu → Palaruvi

How to reach Palaruvi waterfall From Tamil Nadu:

Tenkassi → Chencottai → Aryankavu → Palaruvi

For More information
Telephone: +91475 2211200 – Palaruvi VSS office

Distance from Palaruvi Waterfalls

Kollam: 76 Km
Thiruvananthapuram: 85 Km
Kovalam: 96 Km
Kuttanad: 116 Km
Kottayam: 123 Km
Kumarakom: 134 Km
Alappuzha: 135 Km
Kochi: 189 Km
Ernakulam: 196 Km
Idukki: 196 Km
Munnar: 250 Km
Thrissur: 264 Km
Kozhikode: 385 Km
Kasargod: 570 Km

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