Cool Courtallam
Stayed in Courtallam from Aug. 5 to 8 2005; in between, we visited Srivilliputhur, stayed overnight and witnessed the car festival on the occasion of janma thithi of SriAndal.
We stayed at Room No. 202, K.R. Residency, opp. Bus Terminus, Courtallam – 627 802. Ph.: 04633 – 283100 / 283101 Mr. Nainar Pillai Cell: 98421 27009. The charges for four days are Lodging – Rs.1650 + Luxury Tax Rs.165 = Rs. 1,815/-
Train fare from Tirunelveli to Chennai Egmore by Kanyakumari Exp. No. 2634 is Rs. 1,144/- . From Chennai we reached Tirunelveli Junction (by Nellai Express), hired an auto and reached the residence of Mr. Kanthimathinathan in Palayamkottai. Had breakfast, reached Palayamkottai bus stand and boarded the bus for Tenkasi (2-3 hrs. travel) and from there by another bus for Courtallam (1/2 an hour ride). While returning also, we reached Nellai Junction by bus and boarded the Kanyakumari Express (Dep. 1900 hrs.) from there. Mr. Kanthi had come to the station to see us off. [It brought back memories of my stay in Nellai between 1969-1972.]
From Courtallam to Srivilliputhur, it takes about 4 hrs. by bus, via Rajapalayam. It was with some difficulty we could get a reasonably good accommodation, though in the 2nd floor, I suppose. After darshan at the temple, though heavily crowded, we returned to the lodge; in the morning we witnessed the car festival, returned to the lodge, and packed off to Courtallam. The wooden mandap built with the parts of an earlier temple car was wonderful.
In Courtallam, we visited the Shenbagadevi Falls, Main Falls, Little Falls (in the order of their flow; Then Aruvi is still higher and needs steep climb; hence dropped by us), Five Falls, Tiger Falls, Old Falls, and a private falls ……… In almost all the places, shops / lockers are available for keeping your belongings. The first two and the last three were visited by us only once. Five Falls was visited twice. Meera could bear and enjoy only at the Five Falls and Tiger Falls. I loved Old Courtallam falls, as it falls vertically from some distance and also less crowded and orderly. They allow the bathers in a batch for 3-4 minutes, but you can come in the queue as many times as you wish. Tiger Falls is f 5-6 ft. height and there is also a tub-like provision to soak yourself. Main Falls was also good, but Banu & Meera did not like it much. Little Falls is also okay. Shenbagadevi has grandeur and is also dangerous, as once we get inside the railing there is no escape; the force is strong and it makes us breathless; in addition, the pool in front is deep and dangerous. (Later, a net has been provided to prevent people diving into it.) Five Falls is enjoyable. Banu and more so Meera liked it, as there were some small flows that allowed her to breath freely. On the way there is a small lake and we had an enjoyable ride with greenery all around. We visited the temple and had darshan of Courtallanathar. We visited the museum and the park also. Naturally, there was some shopping also. Once there was the pleasant ‘saral’ (drizzle), for which Courtallam is famous.
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