Vattaparai Falls

வட்டப்பாறை அருவி

A forest waterfall on the Pazhayar near Keeriparai

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You arrive

You head inland from Nagercoil to the Keeriparai reserve forest near Bhoothapandi village, and the plains give way quickly to trees. Vattaparai is on the Pazhayar River, with forest on all sides. There is no town around it and little to mark your arrival. You leave the road and walk on, and the noise of moving water reaches you over the sound of birds. You follow it until the rocks open up in front of you.

Forest stream at Keeriparai · Photo: Infocaster at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0

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Into the reserve forest

You make your way through the forest toward the river. The area is described as part of an animal corridor, so you are a guest on this ground. Walk quietly and do not leave anything behind. Stay on the established way in, and go with someone local if the route is not clear. The river will announce itself well before you reach it.

Forest stream at Keeriparai · Photo: Infocaster at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0

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At the falls

You come out on the rock beside the Pazhayar and watch the water go down. Sit a while. Keep off wet stone and well away from the edge, and do not enter the water unless local people tell you it is safe that day. Heavy rain upstream can change a forest river quickly. When you have had your fill, go back the way you came.

Being here

You see

River water running over rock with forest on all sides.

You hear

The fall, with birdcalls from the trees.

You smell

Wet stone and forest soil.

You feel

Cooler air beside the water.

The story

Vattaparai Falls is in the Keeriparai reserve forest near Bhoothapandi village, on the Pazhayar River, about 13 km from Nagercoil and 32 km from Kanyakumari, though sources do not fully agree on these distances. The surrounding forest, about 20 square kilometres, is described as part of an animal corridor and has been proposed as a wildlife sanctuary. No official notice confirming current entry rules was found for this guide. One travel source suggests approaching from Nagercoil via Putheri, Thadikarankonam and Keeriparai.

Sources: Wikipedia: Vattaparai Falls · Blog: Keeriparai Forest and Vattaparai Falls

Keeriparai and Kanniyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary

Photo: Infocaster at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0

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