Kukkal Falls,
Kodaikanal
Kukkal Falls is located at 6 kilometers
(0.37 mi) southwest of Kukkal village center. This waterfall is 90 metres
(300 ft) high. Elephants are common here. You’ll walk though Sholas, and deciduous forest.
It is located near Kukkal which is
a Panchayath village
of terrace farmers
at the far western end of the Palani
Hills in Kodaikanal block of Dindigul
district, Tamil
Nadu state, South
India. It is 40 kilometers (25 mi)
from Kodaikanal at: 10°17′9″N 77°21′48″E. Elevation is 1,890 metres (6,200 ft). Kukkal is notable for
the high biodiversity of
the area.
Kukkal sits at the head of the 126
square kilometers (49 sq mi) Kudiraiyar River basin. In this hilly terrain, topography may account for large variations
in rainfall over short distances. A rain gauge at the border of the Kukkal
forest at 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) recorded rainfall about 50% higher than
that of two rain gauges in grasslands at the same altitude and northern slope
during 1956-1966.
Tourists are required to get
permission from the Forest Department to visit Kukkal or trek in the forest
areas. Please contact: Government of Tamil Nadu, Tourist Office, Annasalai,
Kodaikanal, 624 101, Tamil Nadu, India. Ph; 04542- 241675. A trekking map is available
from them. Bison Wells Lodge has a panoramic view of the
eastern slopes of Kukkal ridge.
To reach Kukkal, travel by bus from
Kodaikanal to Poomparai and begin walking northwest. After walking through geranium
plantations, and pine and wattle forest, the Kukkal Forest Rest house can he
reached. From there you have to trek 8 kilometers
(5.0 mi) trail to the Kukkal Falls. This stretch is leech-infested
and best avoided during the monsoon.
It has a slanting height and lies
inside a forest reserve that is unhindered by human encroachments. It is quiet,
peaceful and a true haven for those who want to escape from concrete forest
parks. The forests of Western Ghats are renowned all over the world as a
biodiversity hotspot. A visit to this area will bring one up close and personal
with many common and rare species of animals and plants.
You must carry a camera when you
visit this stunning Falls. The sight of waters disgorging from a height of
several feet is always mind-stilling. The surrounding forests add more
exquisiteness to the setting.
This Falls is ideal to visit during
rainy season to enjoy the beauty of the falls to its extensiveness. The
approach path to this falls is a craggy hill path and hence appropriate means
of transport is essential to reach the falls.
This is a high place for hiking a
trekking and one has to cross a craggy trek to reach here. The Shola forest that
surrounds this falls is home to numerous plants and animals so it would be a
great place to visit for the wildlife enthusiasts. The volume of water will be
great during the monsoons.
Dressing Restrictions:
There aren’t any specific dressing restrictions and you may choose to wear
clothes as per your convenience. It may also depend on the season of your
visit.
Best time to Visit:
The Best time to visit the falls would be between the months of September to
May. The falls are at its best during the rainy season.
Visiting Timings:
The timings to visit this falls are between 10 am to 6 pm. However there are no
specific time restrictions and you may visit it as per your convenience.
Entry Fee:
There is no entry fee to visit this place.
Restrictions:
There aren’t any restrictions on things you can take. You may carry food and
water as per your requirement. It is advisable to carry fewer luggages as you
may not find a suitable place to keep them.
Suggestions:
These falls are a great place for hiking and trekking, so if you are in search
of a good adventure, this is a great place to be. It is also a great place for
photography.