Shenbaga Devi
The Shenbaga Devi falls trail in Tenkasi (Tamil Nadu) is an absolutely pristine area. Thanks to the entry being restricted by (if I remember correctly) the Ecological Survey of India. Rich variety of tropical flora and fauna (birds, insects, monkeys, streams,…). This particular site is named after the goddess Shenbaga Devi, the 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 is couple of degrees cooler with its thick 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 — the concept of which is alien here, but something I miss from living in Virginia — trails through thick wooded areas; lets you go far deeper into the terrain to places you normally wouldn’t if were travelling just on foot.
A short 3km 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!).
The path is incredibly pristine. Not a single speck of litter for the entire stretch! It's about 3 km climb (initial 1 km is very steep).
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 quite rapid force. Feels like you're being pelted by sacks of rice, and towards the center the force almost pins you down.