Pari's Blog

The Shenbaga Devi Falls trail in Tenkasi is one of few very pristine areas in Tamil Nadu. Thanks to the entry being restricted by (if I remember correctly) the Ecological Survey of India, the area is very rich in its biodiversity (plants, insects, birds, that you don’t get a chance to see outside, all within its natural habitat). This particular site is named after the goddess Shenbaga Devi, the divine protectress of the area. The area is known for its medicinal plants, and has been a home to numerous Siddhars in the past, including the sage Agasthayar. The trail has a thick canopy of trees, a couple of degrees cooler than the surroundings, esp. if you go in hot summer. Speaking of canopy of trees, watch out for quite aggressive monkeys — probably the most aggressive I’ve seen in India so far — make sure you secure your backpacks tightly and carry a stick. Only thing I could ask for is a bicycle path/trail, yes, I’m spoilt, but something I miss from living in Virginia — trails through thick wooded areas; lets you go far deeper into the terrain than you normally would if you were just on foot.

A short 3 km uphill trek will get you to the Shenbaga Devi falls. It is one of several water falls that feed the Kuttralam falls about 5 km downstream. All these falls are deified with temples built near/around them.

Source of Kutraalam Main Falls.

Clean green litter-free landscape (a rare sight in Tamil Nadu - unfortunately!).

Not a single speck of litter for the entire stretch -- compared with the eye sore of trash pollution everywhere in the city down below.

Accompanying about 1/3 of the journey up is this rapidly flowing creek (though doesn't look like it in the photo), crystal-clear water, run-off from the water falls up ahead.

The water falls (one of five that feed the kuttraalam falls about 5 km downstream). Small but with decent force - feels like you're being pelted by sacks of rice; towards the center it pins you down.