Agasthiar falls are located in the Tirunelveli district of the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
Location of Agasthiar Falls
Agasthiar falls can be placed at a distance of 60 kilometres from the district headquarters of Tirunelveli District in Tamil Nadu. They are popularly known as "Courtalam Falls" or "Papanasam Falls".
History of Agasthiar Falls
The water of Agasthiar Falls is considered to be pure, by the local people. The legends of Tamil Tholkappiam are connected with these falls. The official language of the state is Tamil language and most of the local Tamilians cannot converse in other languages with the tourists. Papanasam Falls or Agasthiar falls are believed to clean the sins of those who bathe in their holy waters. They are rightfully called Papanasam, which means the destruction of all sins. A 3 kilometres trek down the road, will lead to the Agasthiar falls.
Tourism in Agasthiar Falls
A famous tiger reserve is located near these falls that can be visited along with the Agasthiar falls. The height of Agasthiar Falls is 120 meters. The shrine of Munivar Agasthiar is located atop the cascade. It is believed that during the holy matrimony of the Hindu God Shiva or Mahadeva and Goddess Parvati, all the Gods and Goddesses from Heaven had gone to the Kailash Parvat, in order to attend the auspicious ceremony.
This disrupted the balance of Earth, for which Munivar Agasthiar meditated at the Agasthiar Falls and the wedding was completed smoothly. To commemorate this event, a procession is taken out by the locals of the idol of Munivar Agasthiar on the anniversary of Lord Shiva or Mahadeva and Parvati every year. Some of the important tourist interest sites are Harvey Pool, Kaaraiyaar Dam, Tirupanipuram, Thamiraparani Dam, T-Club, Kottaram, Suliyathu Ayyanar Temple, Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Agasthiyamala, Thamirabarani River, Siva Temple, Papanasam Dam, Agasthiyar Munivar Temple, Kalyanitheertham, Papanasam, Thiruchendur, Manappad, Thuthukudi, Panchalankuruchi, Panartheertham, Kodaiyar, Manjolai, Sorimuthu Ayannar Kaovil and Servalar Dam. Papanamsam Falls or Agasthiar falls is a famous picnic spot amongst the locals and the tourists. Pothigai Hills beautifully provide background to the Agasthiar Falls. These falls are created by the River Tambarapani.
Visiting Information
The best time to visit the Agasthiar Falls is in the morning, at the time of dawn. One can stretch out with the beauty of the hills surrounding Agasthiar falls. However, one needs to be careful of the monkeys inhabiting the area and attacking the tourists occasionally. Agasthiar falls have a stable flow of water all year round; therefore, one need not wait until the monsoons subside, to visit this cascade of Agasthiar.
