Water Falls in &
around Ooty
Catherine Falls
Catherine Falls is a double-cascaded waterfall located in Kotagiri, The Nilgiris District, Tamil nadu and it is also a major tourist
spot in Kotagiri. It is on the Mettupalayam road branching off at Aravenu.
The upper fall drops to the floor, and is the second highest in the mountains. The waters from the
upper stream of the Kallar River are crossed by the invisible Mettupalayam-Ooty road
beyond the mountains in the south-west. The height of waterfalls is about
250 ft. Catherine Falls is named after the wife of M.D. Cockburn,
believed to have introduced the coffee plantation to Kotagiri. The native name
of the Catherine Falls is Geddhehaada Halla, meaning "Foothills Dale
River". It can clearly been seen from the top of Dolphin's Nose if seeing
the entire waterfall as one total impression is what you are looking for. It is
also possible to take a road to the top of the falls. If you need to stay
overnight, cottages are available very close to Catherine Falls at Catherine Greens.
Catherine Falls, also known as St. Catherine's
Falls, is located in the area that surrounds Coonoor. This beautiful waterfall
falls from an impressive 250 feet. It can clearly been seen from the top of
Dolphin's Nose if seeing the entire waterfall as one total impression is what
you are looking for. It is also possible to take a road to the top of the
falls. This vantage point allows you to truly appreciate the awesome power that
Mother Nature has contained within a waterfall as you look down the 250 feet to
the pool of water and its surrounding landscape below. To reach the top of the
hills tourist should take a diversion at Aravenu on Kotagiri - Mettupalayam
road.
The St. Catherine Falls near Aravenu is considered
to be a two step waterfall which comes down from a height of 76 metres. This
water fall has both lower and upper falls. The upper fall is the second highest
in the region and is known to take a leap of about 250 feet.
Apart from the St. Catherine Water Falls, tourists
can visit the nearby Uyilatty Falls or Elk Falls, which is around 8 km from
Kotagiri. Moreover, Kotagiri is home to the Rangaswamy Peak, which is around
1785 metres high. This biconical peak is a sacred hill among the residents of
Nilgiri. It is believed that Lord Rangaswamy, who lived in Karamadai in
Coimbatore, came here after a quarrel with his wife.
Katary Falls
Katary
Falls is approximately 10 km from Coonoor in
the Nilgiris district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. At 180 feet in
height, Katary Falls is third largest waterfall in the Nilgiris.
The falls are the site of India's first hydel power
plant, the Kateri hydroelectric system. Katary Falls
gathers its fame as the third largest waterfall in the Nilgiris. It is also the
site of India’s first hydroelectric power project, otherwise known as the
Katary Hydroelectric system. Katary Falls is 180 meters in height and is
located 10 kilometers from the centre of Coonoor at Kundha
road. Katary Falls is in 10 km from Coonoor on the way to Upper Bhavani, Kundha
& Manjore.
The hydroelectric power plant generated 1000 KW of
electricity from the mechanical energy of the falling water from the Katary
Falls.
The hydro electric power station is an attraction
on its own and attracts hundreds of visitors. Katary Falls, along with Law’s
Falls, is located quite close to Coonoor. The waterfall is a sight to behold
during the rainy season, with water flowing rampantly from the top of the
mountain. The height of the location and the scenic beauty of the surroundings
make Katary Falls look like a never ending cascade from the sky to the earth.
Kalhatti Falls
Kalhatti Falls are about 13 km from Ooty, on the Ooty to Mysore Road or Sigur Ghat Road. From the Kalhatti village
one has to continue for 2 miles to reach the falls and the falls is connected
in the same Kalhatti village road.
One of the most loved tourist spots at Ooty; Kalhatti
Falls make for a breathtaking side. It gets all the more roaring in
monsoons, as the waters come thundering down in massive quantities that might
make your heart skip a beat or two. A perfect place for the lovers of
photography, the falls brim with tourists all day along.
Apart from the natural beauty, another thing that
draws people to the falls is the exotic flora and fauna. The region around the
falls houses exotic species and is nothing less than a wonderland for the
lovers of wild. Moreover, you can also pack in your trekking gear for the
entire region offers quite a lot to the adventure lovers, who wouldn't mind
going for an exploration or two.
Kalhatti Water Falls boasts a height of 40 metres
and is considered to be an ideal destination for trekking. The water fall is
located at around 2,000 metres above the sea level and the entire route runs
through the Kalhatti Ghats.
Situated on the slopes of Kalhatti Mountains, the
water fall also has varied rivulets and other water bodies attached to it. The
best time to visit this attraction is during the months of September through
November.
One can also find animals like Panthers, Spotted
Dear and Bison, who come here to drink water from the falls in the early hours
of day and night.
This is one of the best picnic spot in Ooty for
persons interested in Hiking, Bird watching and Trekking. To reach this falls
there are buses available up to Kalhatti village on the 6th mile of Sigur
Ghat road and has to go by foot for the next 2 miles .The falls is also
connected by a road.
About 25 acres of coffee and 50 acres of teas are
under plantation and the complete production is process in a natural fertilizer
and free from chemical pesticides. And other spices are grown in Kalahatty,
like clove, pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, rosemary, sandalwood, rosewood etc.
Best time to visit this Kalahatty waterfall in the season
of September and November. The Kalhatti falls is located about 13 kms from Ooty
on the Sigur Ghat road. This is the road that connects Ooty with Masinagudi and
has the famous 36 hair pin bends. The popular hill town of Bellikkal is also
situated close by.
One can park their vehicles at any shoulder on this
winding highway and hike for a short distance to reach the view point. This
view point, which is a large open space, also doubles up as a popular picnic
spot.
Elk Falls
Elk Falls is located on the route to Mettupalayam
in the Nilgiri District and is 7 Kms from Kotagiri. The best time to pay a
visit to the waterfall is in the monsoon season when the oranges have bloomed
by the Kookal Valley. A European residence, placed near the waterfall, holds
its own importance and was made at the time of British rule.
Elk Falls is situated at a distance of 7 km from
Kotagiri, and is placed under Uyilatty village. The road crosses the houses of
Badaga quiet landscape. On the way to the village is the first Kannerimukku
European residence in the Nilgiris Collector constructed by Sullivan in the
year of 1819.
On Elk falls the water is filled only in the
monsoon period, but it is value to visit at all times. The vision from at this
point is great and you can see by a beautiful valley called "Kookal"
known for its oranges. Or else it is a wonderful place and just to hear the
sound of water, and then a click large number of photographs.
Moyar River
Moyar
River is one of the tributary of Bhavani Tamil Nadu, South India. The Moyar River
originates from a small town called Moyar along the Masinagudi - Ooty road.
This is a natural line of separation between Bandipur and the Mudumalai sanctuary to the south. Moyar River Gorge is 20 km long and also
called as the
Moyar Canyon. River flows into gorge below Theppakadu in a roaring water fall; this is popularly known as Moyar falls. This
river is checked by dam Bhavanisagar
Dam at the valley near Satyamangalam along
with Bhavani River.
Law's Falls
The Law's falls which is named after Col. Law, who
traced and mainly constructed the new Coonoor ghat, is a pretty cascade on the
Coonoor River near its junction with the Mettupalayam ghat road. A little lower
down the torrent is crossed by the ghat road over it. The falls is about 5
kilometres below Coonoor at the junction of Coonoor and Kateri rivers on the Coonoor,
Mettupalayam road.
It is located 7kms from Coonoor, set inside the
Coonoor forest range with vast stretches of undisturbed sholas, the Laws falls
is a paradise for naturalists. The water fall is very wild and rocky.
Even though it is a relatively small waterfall, it
attracts a lot of visitors. This is because it is one of the prettiest
locations anywhere in the area. The surrounding landscape is extremely rocky
and wild. Such a setting is a huge draw for naturalists. In fact, this location
is almost heaven to such enthusiasts.
Pykara Falls
It is located 19 km from Ooty & about 6 km from
the bridge on the main road, are best in July, but they are also worth visiting
from August to December. There is a forest rest House at Pykara. A boat house
by the Pykara falls and Dam is added attractions to the tourists. Pykara boasts
of well protected fenced Sholas, Toda settlements, undistributed grassy meadows
and also a good wildlife habitat. The Pykara Dam, Pykara falls and the
reservoir attracts many tourists. A boat house with Restaurant is available. It
is maintained by T.T.D.C.
Pykara is the name of a village and river located
19 km from Ooty in the Indian State of Tamil Nadu. The Pykara River is considered
very sacred by the Todas. It rises
at Mukurthi peak, flows northwards, and then turns to the west after reaching
the edge of the plateau. The river
flows through Mukurthi, Pykara and Glen Morgan dams, and forms part of an
important hydro-electric power project.
The river flows over a series of waterfalls, the
last two of 55 meters and 61 meters being known as Pykara falls. The falls are approximately
6 km from the bridge on the main road. There is a forest rest house at
Pykara. A boat house on the Pykara reservoir is an added attraction for
tourists.
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For more information for Pykara Dam & Pykara
Boat House, Please Check my post - Lakes in & around Ooty i.e Ooty – Places
of Interest – I
Lot of movies has been shot at this location
because of its pristine beauty. Must watch place in Ooty