It was back in 2009 when I first heard rumour about the beauty of
Valpari hairpins and the grey rain clouds engulfed the lush green
mountain . Planned quite a number of times for a visit, but then it
remained as plan. Time flew by and 2010 December brought me within 285
kms of the falls. Over the period of time I also had come across
Valparai, heard about its pristine beauty. Endless tea estates ,
forests, the route, the weather. Then when I looked up, I came to know
that Valparai connects to chalakudy and it's on this stretch the
Athirapally takes the plunge.
on 30th December early morning i am with my three friends start from Thodupuzha towards Pollachi to Valpari. There's this sharp mountain which looks like a sphere contrasting the horizon. The grey rain clouds engulfed the lush green mountain. A waterfall on the mountain was an awesome spectacle.
We enjoy each hairpin curves with its beauty. some curves gives the most beautiful scenes of the dam and its surroundings.
9th hairpin bend.
This gives a panoramic view of the Azhiyar dam. Consider yourself lucky if you spot endangered Nilgiri Tahr, the State animal of Tamil Nadu.
Aliyar Dam
Aliyar Dam is a reservoir located 27 KM away from pollachi on the foothills of Valparai, in the Anamalai range of the Western Ghats. The dam offers some ideal getaways including a park, an aquarium and a mini Theme-Park maintained by Tamilnadu Fisheries Corporation. It is an ideal picnic spot.
Valparai is located with in Anamalai Tiger Reserve
This Sanctuary is situated at an altitude of 1,400 meters in the Western Ghats near Pollachi (about 90 kms. from Coimbatore). The area of the sanctuary is 958 sq. kms. It has various kinds of fauna like elephant, gaur, tiger, panther, sloth bear, deer, wild bear, wild dog, porcupine, flying squirrel, jackal, pangolin, civet cat and birds like rocket-tailed drongo, re-whiskered bulbul, black headed oriole, tree pie, spotted dove, green pigeon, etc. The Amaravathy reservoir in the Anamalais has a large number of crocodiles. There are also many places of scenic beauty such as Karainshola, Anaikunthi shola, grass hills, water falls, groves, teak forests, estates, dams and reservoirs.
Nirar dam
This dam is built for multipurpose project such as irrigation, Hydro electricity production. Dam is situated in a wonderful location covered by a dense forest. There is a waterfalls near by the dam which resembles the Cascade. Situated at a distance of 15kms from Valparai.
Sholayar dam
It is the second deepest dam of Asia. Situated at a distance of 20 Kms., from Valparai. An active tourist spot found always busy. A beautiful place to visit.
Chinnakallar
Chinnakalar is a geographically important place. It is the second highest rain fall area in India. Always found wet and misty. A greenish dense forest with tall majestic trees all along the road to Chinnakalar a pleasure to enjoy. There is a falls in Chinnakallar which sounds like a roaring lion. Situated at a distance of 15kms from Valparai.
Grass Hills
Its a part of Indra Gandhi wildlife sanctuary & national park. It is surrounded by a green grass environment. Its a beautiful site of high green grasses on a mountain slope, which is a protected area. Visitors has to obtain permission from the wildlife warden to enter the Grass Hills. Situated at a distance of 15 kms. from Valparai. Grass hills is a picturesque spot located in the Valparai hills range, at a height of approx: 2400m msl, with cool climate getting cooler at night, a part of Indira Gandhi Wild Life Sanctuary. Right now all efforts are being undertaken by the government to preserve the flora and fauna of this location. Nilgiri Thar is native of this place apart from Elephants, Bison, Indian Gaur, Bear, Nilgiri Langurs etc.. and a wide variety of birds including Hornbills.
Athirapally falls:
A 80 km drive from valparai through one of the thickest evergreen forests in india simulates the canopied rainforests of Amazon and Central Africa. The conopy is so thick that any tough effort taken by sunlight to enter the forest seems clumsy. Such is the road that leads to the falls. Popularly known as 'Punnagai Mannan falls' or 'the Indian Niagara', Athirapally falls has been the backdrop for many south Indian movies. You can look at it from the top and from the bottom as well.
A small walk along the stone and cemented path below and canopy of leaves above takes you to the river bank,where water plunges some 80 feet. That height might not be much on paper but in reality you gasp at the sheet might of the falls. The milky water hits the bottom and silently flows west into the setting sun. Trek down takes you to the base of the falls.If from top it defined the depth, from below it personified the might. Three massive columns of liquid nature plunges into bed throwing the mist up right up into you, who d be standing on the large boulder that riddles the bank.few more massive columns plunge close to other bank. If monsoon goes at its full blast these two columns join to a single column of millions of gallons free falling into the earth. Its an incredible feeling.
You can take bath in the Chalakudy river too. On the way there are two other falls Charpa and Vazachal. In charpa falls the water plunges on to the road in the monsoon, so get ready to get drenched if you are visiting it in the rainy season. Vazhachal waterfalls is set in the backdrop of a lush green forest near gorges.
on 30th December early morning i am with my three friends start from Thodupuzha towards Pollachi to Valpari. There's this sharp mountain which looks like a sphere contrasting the horizon. The grey rain clouds engulfed the lush green mountain. A waterfall on the mountain was an awesome spectacle.
We enjoy each hairpin curves with its beauty. some curves gives the most beautiful scenes of the dam and its surroundings.
9th hairpin bend.
This gives a panoramic view of the Azhiyar dam. Consider yourself lucky if you spot endangered Nilgiri Tahr, the State animal of Tamil Nadu.
Aliyar Dam
Aliyar Dam is a reservoir located 27 KM away from pollachi on the foothills of Valparai, in the Anamalai range of the Western Ghats. The dam offers some ideal getaways including a park, an aquarium and a mini Theme-Park maintained by Tamilnadu Fisheries Corporation. It is an ideal picnic spot.
Valparai is located with in Anamalai Tiger Reserve
This Sanctuary is situated at an altitude of 1,400 meters in the Western Ghats near Pollachi (about 90 kms. from Coimbatore). The area of the sanctuary is 958 sq. kms. It has various kinds of fauna like elephant, gaur, tiger, panther, sloth bear, deer, wild bear, wild dog, porcupine, flying squirrel, jackal, pangolin, civet cat and birds like rocket-tailed drongo, re-whiskered bulbul, black headed oriole, tree pie, spotted dove, green pigeon, etc. The Amaravathy reservoir in the Anamalais has a large number of crocodiles. There are also many places of scenic beauty such as Karainshola, Anaikunthi shola, grass hills, water falls, groves, teak forests, estates, dams and reservoirs.
Nirar dam
This dam is built for multipurpose project such as irrigation, Hydro electricity production. Dam is situated in a wonderful location covered by a dense forest. There is a waterfalls near by the dam which resembles the Cascade. Situated at a distance of 15kms from Valparai.
Sholayar dam
It is the second deepest dam of Asia. Situated at a distance of 20 Kms., from Valparai. An active tourist spot found always busy. A beautiful place to visit.
Chinnakallar
Chinnakalar is a geographically important place. It is the second highest rain fall area in India. Always found wet and misty. A greenish dense forest with tall majestic trees all along the road to Chinnakalar a pleasure to enjoy. There is a falls in Chinnakallar which sounds like a roaring lion. Situated at a distance of 15kms from Valparai.
Grass Hills
Its a part of Indra Gandhi wildlife sanctuary & national park. It is surrounded by a green grass environment. Its a beautiful site of high green grasses on a mountain slope, which is a protected area. Visitors has to obtain permission from the wildlife warden to enter the Grass Hills. Situated at a distance of 15 kms. from Valparai. Grass hills is a picturesque spot located in the Valparai hills range, at a height of approx: 2400m msl, with cool climate getting cooler at night, a part of Indira Gandhi Wild Life Sanctuary. Right now all efforts are being undertaken by the government to preserve the flora and fauna of this location. Nilgiri Thar is native of this place apart from Elephants, Bison, Indian Gaur, Bear, Nilgiri Langurs etc.. and a wide variety of birds including Hornbills.
Athirapally falls:
A 80 km drive from valparai through one of the thickest evergreen forests in india simulates the canopied rainforests of Amazon and Central Africa. The conopy is so thick that any tough effort taken by sunlight to enter the forest seems clumsy. Such is the road that leads to the falls. Popularly known as 'Punnagai Mannan falls' or 'the Indian Niagara', Athirapally falls has been the backdrop for many south Indian movies. You can look at it from the top and from the bottom as well.
A small walk along the stone and cemented path below and canopy of leaves above takes you to the river bank,where water plunges some 80 feet. That height might not be much on paper but in reality you gasp at the sheet might of the falls. The milky water hits the bottom and silently flows west into the setting sun. Trek down takes you to the base of the falls.If from top it defined the depth, from below it personified the might. Three massive columns of liquid nature plunges into bed throwing the mist up right up into you, who d be standing on the large boulder that riddles the bank.few more massive columns plunge close to other bank. If monsoon goes at its full blast these two columns join to a single column of millions of gallons free falling into the earth. Its an incredible feeling.
You can take bath in the Chalakudy river too. On the way there are two other falls Charpa and Vazachal. In charpa falls the water plunges on to the road in the monsoon, so get ready to get drenched if you are visiting it in the rainy season. Vazhachal waterfalls is set in the backdrop of a lush green forest near gorges.
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