Kuttralam (Courtallam), Tenkasi, Tamilnadu

வானரங்கள் கனிகொடுத்து மந்தியொடு கொஞ்சும்

மந்திசிந்து கனிகளுக்கு வான்கவிகள் கெஞ்சும்

கானவர்கள் விழியெறிந்து வானவரை அழைப்பார்

கமனசித்தர் வந்துவந்து காயசித்தி விளைப்பார்

தேனருவித் திரையெழும்பி வானின்வழிஒழுகும்

செங்கதிரோன் பரிக்காலும் தேர்க்காலும் வழுகும்

கூனலிளம் பிறைமுடித்த வேணியலங் காரர்

குற்றாலத் திரிகூட மலையெங்கள் மலையே.

- a verse from Kuttralam Kuravanji 

This verse will be the first thing which comes to mind of anyone who has studied tamizh as a vernacular subject. The poem Kuttralam Kuravanji, written by Thirigudarasapa Kaviyar is about Lord Shiva who resides in the temple on these hills. The verse is from the section "Kurathi" (tamil native women) narrating the richness of flora and fauna at Kuttralam. 

Kuttralam is situated in an altitude of 160m in Tenkasi, Tamilnadu. It has nine falls and they are known for the medicinal properties, as they flow through a variety of herbs peculiar to this fertile lands. It has been said that bathing in these falls cure many diseases and is rightly named as 'The Spa of South India'.

We visited this beautiful place, when we attended a wedding at Tirunelveli. It is a 2hrs drive of around 74km. 

One among these falls, which attracts a large number of tourists is the Aintharuvi (Five Falls). It is about 4km away from the Kuttralam town and is comparatively less crowded than the main falls (Peraruvi). As the name suggests it is a cascade of five sections that flow as one stream downhill from here. One must stand in these falls to experience the refreshing feel of cool waters pounding from great heights on us. There are a series of stalls and shop selling hot tea and bajjis (fried fitters) which we can relish. 

Tirunelveli is well connected by road and train. The nearest airport isTuticorin and Madurai.