Courtallam

Courtallam
குற்றாலம்
Kutralam
town

Main waterfalls
Courtallam

Location in Tamil Nadu, India

Coordinates: 8°56′03″N 77°16′40″E / 8.9342°N 77.2778°E / 8.9342; 77.2778Coordinates: 8°56′03″N 77°16′40″E / 8.9342°N 77.2778°E / 8.9342; 77.2778
Country  India
State Tamil Nadu
District Tirunelveli
Taluk Tenkasi
Population (2001)
  Total 2,368
Languages
  Official Tamil
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
Telephone code 04633
Vehicle registration TN 76
Sex ratio 1:1 /

Courtallam (Tamil: குற்றாலம்) or Kutralam, Spa of South India, is a panchayat town situated at a mean elevation of 160 m (520 ft) on the Western Ghats in Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu, India. Many seasonal and few perennial rivers such as the Chittar River, the Manimuthar River, the Pachaiyar River and the Tambaraparani River originate in this region. The numerous waterfalls and cascades along with the ubiquitous health resorts in the area have earned it the title the Spa of South India.[1] The falls carry a good amount of water only when there is a rain on the hills. Season begins from June of every year till September. The South West Monsoon brings in the cold breeze with mild temperature. From October to December North East Monsoon sets over in Tamil Nadu and the climate is cold and the rains are very heavy sometimes. Sometimes the falls get flooded and people are not allowed to take bath during floods.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,[2] Courtallam had a population of 2368. Males constitute 41% of the population and females 59%. Courtallam has an average literacy rate of 75%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 78% and, female literacy is 74%. 7% of the population is under 6 years of age. Although very close to the Kerala border, the entire population of Courtallam is homogeneously Tamil.

Location

Nestled in the Western Ghats, Courtallam has scenic surroundings. The hillocks which dominate the scenery disappear into the blue mist of Agasthiarmalai, the mountain bearing the name of a sage who made immense contributions to Tamil literature and is believed to have lived in the area.[3] The closest towns to Courtallam are Sengottai and Tenkasi at 5 km (3.1 mi) respectively. The closest airport is Tuticorin Airport (TCR) approximately 90 km (56 mi) away and the nearest railway station is Tenkasi, 5 km (3.1 mi) away.

Climate

Climate data for Courtallam, Tamil Nadu
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 29.0
(84.2)
30.5
(86.9)
32.1
(89.8)
32.4
(90.3)
32.5
(90.5)
30.7
(87.3)
29.9
(85.8)
30.3
(86.5)
30.6
(87.1)
29.9
(85.8)
28.6
(83.5)
28.5
(83.3)
30.42
(86.75)
Average low °C (°F) 20.9
(69.6)
21.5
(70.7)
23.0
(73.4)
24.1
(75.4)
24.7
(76.5)
23.8
(74.8)
23.4
(74.1)
23.4
(74.1)
23.2
(73.8)
22.9
(73.2)
22.1
(71.8)
21.2
(70.2)
22.85
(73.13)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 41
(1.61)
36
(1.42)
66
(2.6)
107
(4.21)
95
(3.74)
152
(5.98)
138
(5.43)
71
(2.8)
76
(2.99)
224
(8.82)
216
(8.5)
97
(3.82)
1,319
(51.92)
Source: Climate-Data.org[4]

Falls in Courtallam

Upper portion of Old Falls cascade in Courtallam

Courtallam has nine waterfalls.

The three major waterfalls reachable by road are the Main Falls, Five Falls, and Old Courtallam Falls. Other waterfalls like Shenbaga Devi Falls and Honey Falls are reachable only by trekking on the mountain.

Places to visit

  1. Therkumalai Estate can be reached from Honey falls in 1 hour, which is roughly at 2000 ft altitude.
  2. Boat Houses near the Five Falls and Old Courtallam Falls.
  3. Snake Park nears to the Main Falls.
  4. Aquarium near the Main Falls.
  5. Children's Park.

Nearby Tourist Interests

Tenkasi is a town located in the foothills of the Western Ghats near the Courtallam Waterfalls, close to the Tamil Nadu - Kerala border in Tirunelveli District. Tourists prefer staying in either courtallam or Tenkasi and the close proximity allows tourists to frequently travel between the two. The Palaruvi Falls is across the state border in Kerala.[6]

Courtalleswaran Temple.
Boat House.

Religious

Nearby temples

Resorts

There are numerous resorts, hotels and lodges in Courtallam. Most of the luxurious hotels are located near to the main falls and Old Courtallam.

External links

For information about the temple of Courtallam visit www.courtrallanathar.tnhrce.in

For information about the season on Courtallam visit www.kutralamlive.com

Modes of Transport

Roadways

Courtallam is mainly connected by bus transport to the two main cities of Tenkasi and Shenkottai. Tirunelveli to Shenkottai buses are frequently available in Courtallam. Buses are frequently available only during the season time. In the remaining months most of the buses takes Ilanji to reach Shenkottai. Like buses to Old Courtallam also available during the season time only.

Railways

There are no railway stations in Courtallam. But from the Tenkasi Railway station, one can reach Courtallam within 20 minutes by road.

  1. Podhigai Express which comes from Chennai Egmore to Shenkottai and vice versa.
  2. Shenkottai to Tirunelveli Passenger and vice versa.
  3. Shenkottai to madurai local Passenger and vice versa.

Some special trains from Chennai Egmore and Tuticorin are run by Southern Railway occasionally during season and festival time.

In popular culture

Owing to its scenic beauty, Courtallam has featured in many films.

References

  1. "Tamilnadu Destinations Kutralam Waterfalls". Tamilnadu.com. 18 February 2013.
  2. "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  3. 1 2 The cascades of Courtallam Frontline Magazine , pg 60, Sep 15-28, 1990
  4. "CLIMATE: COURTALLAM, Tamil Nadu", Climate-Data.org. Web: .
  5. The cascades of Courtallam Frontline Magazine , pg 60, Sep 15-28, 1990
  6. "Palaruvi Falls". World of Waterfalls. Retrieved 2010-06-26.
  7. Thiru Courtallanathar Thirukovil Sri Courtralanathaswami Temple
  8. "Aravaan had to be visually stunning". Rediff.com. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  9. "Sameera injured during Vettai shoot". The Times of India. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  10. "Prabhas’s Mirchi shooting in Kutralam". Chitramala. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  11. "Mirchi shooting at Kutralam". Supergoodmovies. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  12. "SVSC to shoot in Kutralam, TN, from Feb. 6". IndiaGlitz. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  13. "SVSC in Kutralam". Maa Stars. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  14. "Venkatesh, Mahesh’s SVSC Kutralam schedule wrapped". Way2movies. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  15. "MSV's live recording for Suvadugal". Kollybuzz. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  16. "KR Vijaya and Monika escape unhurt". Nowrunning.com. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  17. Sharanya CR (22 February 2014). "Reality check for Nandita". The Times of India. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
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