Suruli Falls — Attraction in Tamil Nadu

Suruli falls, is located 56 km (35 mi) from Theni and 10 km (6.2 mi) from Cumbum in the Theni District in Tamil Nadu, India. It is a 2 stage Cascading water fall. The Suruli River supplying the falls originates from the Meghamalai mountain range. The falls drop from a height of 150 feet (46 m) gathers into a pool, flows for a short distance and again plummets an additional 40 feet (12 m).

History

The beauty of this falls finds mention in the ancient Tamil epic, Silappathikaram written by the poet Ilango Adigal. Near Suruli Falls are 5 caves which represent Indian rock-cut architecture of the 11th Century. On the Suruli river, The water is said to act as medicine and cure diseases.

Tourism

Its is one of the major tourist attractions in the Theni district and draws tourists from different parts of the state, particularly during the southwest monsoon. June - October is the best season due to monsoon activity, though there is some flow year round. This falls is tourist friendly with showers and changing area near the falls. There are frequent bus services available from Cumbum and Uthamapalayam to reach this falls on the way to Periyar National Park. The Tamil Nadu Tourism Department celebrates summer festival at Suruli falls every year.Construction of a bridge across the Suruli River at a cost of Rs.45 lakhs has increased tourist flow to the falls significantly.

Temples

Suruli hills is the part of the Pothigai Malai. Pothigai hills is a highly divine and spiritual center. There is a story that when Shiva and Parvati entered into divine matrimony at Mount Kailash in the north, the place was unbalanced because of the large number of holy beings witnessing the wedding. Lord Shiva asked Agastya Maharishi to proceed to the South of India to balance the world. Agastya Maharishi then proceeded to Pothigai hills and balanced the world. Agastya Maharishi was able to visualise the wedding of Lord Shiva and Parvati on a Shivalingam that was at Tiru Kalyana Teertham at Pothigai hills. These hills are visited by several saints and sages from Himalayas particularly on a full moon day. The striking similarity between the profiles of Mt. Kailash and Agasthyamalai strengthen the mythological connections of these sacred peaks.

While Swami Arulananda was at Pothigai hills, he often visited Subramania Swami temple in Tiruchendur. In 1981, on Thaipusam day (Full moon day in January), Agastya Maharishi appeared in Swamiji’s dream and asked him to proceed to Suruli Aandavar temple (Subramania Swami temple) at Suruli hills to practice Tapas. In this place, Subramania manifests as Suruli Aandavar.

Suruli Velappar Temple in praise of Kartikeyais located near the falls. This temple is shaped like an OM Pranava. OM is the source mantra of the universal. This Mantra was generated before the Earth and all planets were created. At this cave one can hear the OM Mantra when you are in meditation frequency. This statement was told by Omgara guru Sidhar Gunaneethy, who is the founder of Rishi's Meditation.

800 m (2,600 ft) above the fall is the Kailasanathar Cave Temple. At Kailasanathar cave a lot of Sidhars meditate at a natural spring with waters having medicinal powers. Now also a lot of Meykanda Devar's souls are there. Kailasanathar cave is connected with the Sathura Giri Mahalingam Kovil Cave. The Palani temple Murugan statue was built by Bogar with Navapasana (A unique type of medicine created using nine types of poisons). The bogar installed the statue before he came to Kailasnathar temple. Here he took a lot of Herbals and constructed the Murugan's Navapasana Statue.

The Dargah at Suruli is an important worship place for some Muslims. This is named after Abubacker Masthan who lived around the 1630s in this area and is...

Suruli Falls, Theni Overview

Suruli Falls is a beautiful waterfall in the Theni district of Tamil Nadu and one of the major tourist attractions of Theni as well. It is a perfect destination to get up close and personal with the nature and cool off in its pristine waters.

About Suruli Falls

Coming down from the Meghamalai Range, Suruli River falls into two stages to form the waterfalls of the same name. From a height of 150ft, Suruli Falls cascades down in a raging whiteness to gather into a pool and then fall for another 40ft after a short distance.  At the foot of the falls, hundreds of enthusiastic tourists take a dip every day. Many of them are devotees; some of them are looking to cure their long-suffering ailment, while the rest are there just to enjoy the falls.

Suruli Falls Source

Entry Fees to Suruli Falls

Entry fees for Suruli Falls are only INR 5. It is a customary payment to the Government for the maintenance of the area.

Entry Timings

Suruli Falls is open to all 24 hours of the day. But it is not very safe to be there after sunset because it is within a forested area and there are risks of coming across wild animals. From 7:00 - 8:00 AM in the morning to 5:00 AM - 6:00 PM is the ideal time to visit.

How to reach

The nearest bus stand is at Cumbum. From there, there are government buses which will reach you to the falls in less than 30 minutes at minimal rates. From the road, you will have to trek a small distance to reach the falls. There are buses from Uthamapalayam as well.

Source

Attractions near Suruli Falls

Near Suruli Falls, there are several rock-cut caves as well, along with the walls of the cliffs, which represent Indian rock-cut architecture dating back to the 11th century. One of the more popular ones is the Kailasanathar Temple Cave at 800 metres, through which runs a spring known for its healing powers.

Near Suruli Falls, you will find the dargah of Abubacker Masthan, a Muslim mystic from the 1630s, whose remains were buried in this shrine. Also pay a quick visit to Suruli Velappar Temple dedicated to Lord Karthikeya or Subramaniam, as he is known in South India.

Legend of Suruli Falls

Mention of Suruli Falls can be found in ancient Tamil epic by Ilango Adigal, called Silappathikaram. This goes on to show how old and aged the waterfalls are. The water of Suruli River is said to have medicinal properties and can cure diseases, which is even more why tourists flock here to take a dip of the healing water.

Best Time to Visit Suruli Falls

Unlike most places, the best time to visit Suruli Falls is during the monsoon. From June to October, the whole of India experiences the southwest monsoon, and throughout this period, the falls area is flooded with both crowds of tourists and raging streams of water. The monsoon rain is what feeds most of the rivers of South India, as they are non-perennial. And thus during this season, all of them, including Suruli Falls, is at their prettiest. The Summer Festival conducted by Tamil Nadu Tourism Department is held at Suruli Falls as well. If you want to attend that, plan your trip corresponding to the dates of the festival.

During the peak summers, it is easier to walk around the waterfall, but the stream will be thin...

Complete step by step guide to reaching Suruli Falls Reach Suruli Falls Toll Gate - you can park your vehicles here. No vehicles (autos or cars or buses) allowed beyond this point. There is a narrow bridge beyond the toll, after which too there is small car park. Better to park before itself. Note - if you are taking food with you, better to eat here itself. Some of the shops there give floor mats under a canopy so you can sit and eat. Food likely won't be allowed up and there a pesky monkeys all around as you go up.

Cross the narrow bridge and reach the Suruli Falls Gate. This is a short 100 to 200 meter walk.

Once you cross the large green iron gates, you can walk to see the forest authorities toll gate. Entry is roughly 30 rupees for adults. You also find forest merchandise here - t shirts, Keychains labelled SMTR, and a large tourism department map of nearby landmarks.

Just after this toll, the forest officials bus will stop and pick you to take you to the stairs that lead to the water fall. This is Rs. 10 per head and is recommended for elderly. This bus trip takes 3 mins. Otherwise, it is a ten to fifteen minute brisk walk with beautiful terrain and deciduous forest trees all around. Can be walked bare foot too by some - not at all rough terrain. For those who can walk, I recommend not taking the bus.

Once you finish the walk or reach the stopping point of the bus, you need to climb roughly 100 stairs to reach the waterfall. Can be done by elderly too because stairs are not very high.

The waterfall area itself is likely somewhat crowded on most days. Ladies path is seperate from gents, seperated by a barricade at the water fall bathing area. Not too much privacy but decent enough.

If you plan on visiting - do take spare clothes and towels, fortunately there are plenty of sheds / built areas to change your clothes in private, even for ladies.

Security is always there keeping an eye out.

There's a small square pool area in front of the falls where kids can play too before the Falls drop. The water itself Falls with quite some pressure, so it's not for the faint hearted.

A lot of poeole come drunk to the Falls. Idiots of the highest order (don't be an idiot). People use soap in the Falls area itself - which also makes the water very murky in the natural pool where kids bathe. Don't do that either. There's a separate hose which continously supplies fresh water ob the stair case. Use...