Ulakkai Aruvi is a beautiful falls on Pazhayar, close to its origin. It is so named as it resembles a wooden utensil in the shape of hour glass. Left Keeripara in our WagonR with Senthil, an estate supervisor based at Keeripara, who is very familiar with the sector. Hit Thadikarakonam and took left for Azhagiapandiapuram along SH 45 of Tamil Nadu. Short stop at Azhagiapandiapuram for gathering light eatables and entered the narrow road to the left, directed towards the Western Ghats is the route from trivandrum.
You can reach this beautiful place by bus also. Ulakai Aruvi is situated about 40 km north of kanyakumari.
Ulakkai Aruvi is a natural waterfall situated in Azhagiapandipuram village. Water is available in this water fall even in the summer season. Many tourists come here for bathing and to enjoy the nature. The pathway to this waterfall lies in the Reserve Forest. So you get the very pure air and the place is pin drop silent....
Passed by a beautiful lake with water all blue and the cameras went clicking.
At a juncture we encountered a delegation of three climbing down to the base, It was surprising to know that these people were employed at a tiny clove plantation at ‘Asambu’, about ten kms up from the place we were then. There are no motorable roads up to Asambu – not even a jeep track. These people are the lone inhabitants of the place and their weekend plight was what we were witnessing.
The small chat revealed the potential of ‘Asambu’ and we had the pleasure of receiving an invitation from these people. The team was lead by the Supervisor of the estate and we assured him a visit to ‘Asambu’ soon and parted in opposite directions. They had also intimated that it was raining heavily atop and warned us to be careful, once at the falls, as Ulakkai Aruvi is infamous for instant flooding.
The shower strengthened by then and we were all dripping in seconds. The sector we were traversing had abundance of berry trees with branches heavily fruited.
It was more than an hour from the base and the mild roar came audible, soothing our discomfort of being damp. Walk went brisker and we were soon atop a huge rock facing the heavy plunge.
The rocky structure, we were on, was almost at the middle of the plunge, presenting us with a decent view of the upper half.
The lower flow went beneath us, blocking view. My Friend, went ahead with the dangerous act of crawling to the edge, and declared from there that the lower part is visible. We decided to accept the declaration as none of us dared to venture for proof.
Couldn’t take out our cameras as it was raining cats and dogs by then. But how to leave the place without snaps for you, my readers. Took out a bed spread from another friends back pack and we formed a cover for him, to click on. But the bed spread couldn’t resist the heavy downpour, and I could feel the discomfort in my friends face, on his camera getting wet.I jointly issued a statement with my one friend that digital cameras are water resistant and there is nothing to worry, conveniently forgetting the fact that our cameras are safe in our back pack.
Sat there a while enjoying the plunge and the shower and shared the bananas and cakes, we bought from the planes, with the inhabitants of the place, macaques.
They seemed to enjoy the change, that too amidst the chilling rain.
Left the falls and moved to the west. The planes of Azhagiyapandiapuram and its greenery was a view by itself and the traitors could again bring out friendscamera, to capture it for you people.
The Periyakulam Lake near Azhagiyapandiapuram is the blue drop in the back drop.
While walking down to the base, my friend was found worried about the fate of his camera. Seeing us laughing on it, the angry man’s response was that all data will be lost if the camera got damaged. That led to a discussion on how data in a memory card is safe, even if the device broke into two, further irritating the worried man.
No no no...... That wasn’t true. He was also enjoying the light moments. (I know he will go through this post, and friends, I’m living near to him)
You can reach this beautiful place by bus also. Ulakai Aruvi is situated about 40 km north of kanyakumari.
BUS Route:-
Kanyakumari -----> Nagercoil -----> Puthery ----->Thittuvilai -----> Azhagiyapandiyapuram ----->Perunthalaikadu.
Till Perunthalaikadu, there is road network. From Perunthalaikadu,
you have to trek for about 3 Kms inside the forest to reach the falls.
Have to clamber the rocky steps to reach Ulakai Aruvi.
Ulakkai Aruvi is a natural waterfall situated in Azhagiapandipuram village. Water is available in this water fall even in the summer season. Many tourists come here for bathing and to enjoy the nature. The pathway to this waterfall lies in the Reserve Forest. So you get the very pure air and the place is pin drop silent....
Passed by a beautiful lake with water all blue and the cameras went clicking.
At the next turning, we had a distant view of the descent, which we found later, was just the upper part.
From the very sight itself we could assess the amount of trekking that would be involved.
Drove up to Perunthalikkadu and parked our vehicle by the wayside. Perunthalikkadu is a small junction hosting a tiny tea shop and a store.
Started our trek by around 1.30 PM. Crossed Pazhayar, reached up to a confluence of two rivulets, crossed a rivulet and started the hike. Initial part went along woods which slowly transformed to grass lands.
A narrow path has been laid which made the trek a lot easier. By then it started drizzling and we decided to take it on. The trek path then went a bit steeper forcing us to take a break.
From the very sight itself we could assess the amount of trekking that would be involved.
Drove up to Perunthalikkadu and parked our vehicle by the wayside. Perunthalikkadu is a small junction hosting a tiny tea shop and a store.
Started our trek by around 1.30 PM. Crossed Pazhayar, reached up to a confluence of two rivulets, crossed a rivulet and started the hike. Initial part went along woods which slowly transformed to grass lands.
A narrow path has been laid which made the trek a lot easier. By then it started drizzling and we decided to take it on. The trek path then went a bit steeper forcing us to take a break.
At a juncture we encountered a delegation of three climbing down to the base, It was surprising to know that these people were employed at a tiny clove plantation at ‘Asambu’, about ten kms up from the place we were then. There are no motorable roads up to Asambu – not even a jeep track. These people are the lone inhabitants of the place and their weekend plight was what we were witnessing.
The small chat revealed the potential of ‘Asambu’ and we had the pleasure of receiving an invitation from these people. The team was lead by the Supervisor of the estate and we assured him a visit to ‘Asambu’ soon and parted in opposite directions. They had also intimated that it was raining heavily atop and warned us to be careful, once at the falls, as Ulakkai Aruvi is infamous for instant flooding.
The shower strengthened by then and we were all dripping in seconds. The sector we were traversing had abundance of berry trees with branches heavily fruited.
It was more than an hour from the base and the mild roar came audible, soothing our discomfort of being damp. Walk went brisker and we were soon atop a huge rock facing the heavy plunge.
The rocky structure, we were on, was almost at the middle of the plunge, presenting us with a decent view of the upper half.
Couldn’t take out our cameras as it was raining cats and dogs by then. But how to leave the place without snaps for you, my readers. Took out a bed spread from another friends back pack and we formed a cover for him, to click on. But the bed spread couldn’t resist the heavy downpour, and I could feel the discomfort in my friends face, on his camera getting wet.I jointly issued a statement with my one friend that digital cameras are water resistant and there is nothing to worry, conveniently forgetting the fact that our cameras are safe in our back pack.
Sat there a while enjoying the plunge and the shower and shared the bananas and cakes, we bought from the planes, with the inhabitants of the place, macaques.
They seemed to enjoy the change, that too amidst the chilling rain.
Left the falls and moved to the west. The planes of Azhagiyapandiapuram and its greenery was a view by itself and the traitors could again bring out friendscamera, to capture it for you people.
The Periyakulam Lake near Azhagiyapandiapuram is the blue drop in the back drop.
While walking down to the base, my friend was found worried about the fate of his camera. Seeing us laughing on it, the angry man’s response was that all data will be lost if the camera got damaged. That led to a discussion on how data in a memory card is safe, even if the device broke into two, further irritating the worried man.
No no no...... That wasn’t true. He was also enjoying the light moments. (I know he will go through this post, and friends, I’m living near to him)
All the happiness dried up as we were almost close to the base. The rivulet we had crossed during the up climb was found raging over banks and we would have been trapped .One of my friend knew another track, which needed the crossing of a comparatively thinner rivulet, though its more winding.
Crossed this rivulet, walked along twisty paths through agricultural lands and reached Perunthalikkadu by 4.30 in the evening. Surprisingly it hasn’t rained at the base.
Changed dress, dropped one of my friend at Keeripara and headed north for our hometown.
During the entire drive I didn't find any sign of recent rains. So it was an exclusive performance for the trekkers to Ulakkai Aruvi. But that wasn’t a matter of concern, for we enjoyed the shower too.
To See the Another Post Related this then Click the below Link:-(VIDEOS)
Ulakkai Aruvi - Waterfalls - Video
Courtesy:-http://sshinu.blogspot.in
Crossed this rivulet, walked along twisty paths through agricultural lands and reached Perunthalikkadu by 4.30 in the evening. Surprisingly it hasn’t rained at the base.
Changed dress, dropped one of my friend at Keeripara and headed north for our hometown.
 |
| Locally built bridge across canal near Thadikarankonam. My co travellers opted to cross it on foot, leaving poor me and my vehicle at risk |
To See the Another Post Related this then Click the below Link:-(VIDEOS)
Ulakkai Aruvi - Waterfalls - Video
To See the Another Post Related this then Click the below Link:-(PHOTOS)
Ulakkai Aruvi - Waterfalls - Photos
To see the related post to this then click the link shown below:- (Journey Experience)
Udayagiri Fort - Journey ExperienceCourtesy:-http://sshinu.blogspot.in
