Athirappily Falls is a marvelous cascade of frothy waters that make its way from the Anamudi mountains of the Western Ghats in Kerala. Often called the “Niagara of India”, it had served as the location of the mighty waterfall you see in the superhit Indian film Baahubali! This 25-meter tall waterfall stands at an elevation of 1,000 feet above sea level and is the largest waterfall in Kerala.
Athirappilly Falls stands as the ever-shining pride of Kerala and has a vertical drop almost similar to that of the Niagara Falls of the US. This 100-meter-wide waterfall is one of the largest waterfalls in India and cascades in 4 drops from a massive height.
Situated at the border of Ernakulum district and Thrissur district, it is a major tourist attraction in Kerala which allures a wide range of tourists each season. The waterfall comes down to the 80 feet level through several streams.
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It originates from the upper parts of the Western Ghats at the entrance of the Sholayar region. The Athirappilly Waterfalls flow through the verdant greenery of the Vazhachal Forest towards the Arabian Sea, creating a spectacular vista of scintillating water, emerald jungles, and azure sky. The magnanimous waterfall is worth your vacation.
You can also witness the beauty of Vazhachal Waterfalls which is located 5 km away from the Athirappilly Waterfalls. The dense forest near the waterfall promises a spellbound experience by allowing visitors to witness many endangered and endemic species of flora and fauna. Along with international tourists, the scenic beauty of Athirappilly Falls also attracts a lot of filmmakers, and the place has been the location for various South Indian as well as North Indian movies.
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The magnificently intertwined lush green forests that cover the patches of Sholayar, the sizzling silver cascade, and the location towards the center of Cochin and Bharathapuzha make Athirappilly a truly promising land during the monsoon season. Similarly, Chalakudy River, Charpa Falls, and Vazhachal Waterfall can also be enjoyed with a visit to the Athirappilly Falls during monsoons.
The absence of human settlements in most of the areas allows free spillover of wild animals like elephants through the road. Even though there are hamlets in the Athirappilly-Vazhachal forest division, tourists and travelers are not encouraged to enter inside after 5 PM.
How to reach Athirappilly Falls?
If you are coming by flight, the nearest airport to Athirappilly is Cochin International Airport in Nedumbassery located about 45 km away (1 hour 15 minutes by road).
Planning a visit to Athirappilly Falls? – Book this 1-Night Athirappilly Falls Tour Package
If you are coming via train, the closest railway stations are Chalakudy Railway Station (CKI) and Angamaly Railway Station (AFK). However, very few trains stop here and you can also get down at Aluva (AWY) or Ernakulam (ERS) Railway Stations respectively, which are major stations.
However you are coming by road, you can get to Athirappilly Falls by the route through Chalakudy which is helpful for travelers coming in from the southern side of Kerala. The route starts from Chalakudy junction and passes through Kanjirappally connecting Athirappilly Falls.
There is also an alternate route through Valparai which heads steeply through tea estates to Valparai. The road goes through the forest right after Malakiparai and Vazhachal forest division and finally reaches Athirappilly Falls.
Athirappilly Falls Travel Tips – Timings & Entry Fee
Athirappilly Falls visiting time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Athirappilly Falls entry fee (per person):
- Adults- INR 50/-
- Children- INR 10/-
- Foreigners – INR 200/-
- Students- INR 15/-
Popular tourist attractions near Athirappilly Falls: Charpa Falls, Sholayar Dam, Valparai town, and Malayattur Wildlife Sanctuary.
Best time to visit Athirappilly Falls: June to October
Nearest airport to Athirappilly Falls: Kochi International Airport (55 km away)
Nearest railway station to Athirappilly Falls: Chalakudi Railway Station (30 km away)
Athirappilly Waterfalls Travel Tip: If you have a high budget, opt to stay in a treehouse in Athirappilly that overlooks this mighty waterfall. This is an unmissable experience for birdwatchers, trekkers, nature lovers, and photography fanatics.
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Ideal time to visit Athirappilly Waterfalls- June to October
The elegant beauty of Athirappilly Falls can be witnessed right after the rainy season. After monsoons, the water does not drain out. The waterfall flows in full force during this time with all the water accumulating in a huge pool underneath, making the whole landscape green and refreshing. It’s the perfect treat for sightseeing every time!
If you seek peaceful moments, visit the Athirapally Falls towards the end of the monsoon season to minimize the likelihood of rain and maximize the chances of witnessing this waterfall at the best time of the year!
The water flow is constant the rest of the year, but it’s most beautiful from June to October. Also, be cautious while visiting during heavy rainfall as the powerful flow of water may pose a threat to safety. The beauty of this waterfall along with the resplendent deep woods can be cherished with a proper visit at the right time.
Tourist activities near Athirapally Falls
Even though Athirapally Waterfalls is the most popular tourist place in Athirappilly, there are multiple tourist activities that you can enjoy along with a visit to this iconic waterfall.
1. Watch Athirappally Waterfalls from the bottom
The waterfall itself is the most popular one among national and international tourists. There is a 250-meter path that you can trek downhill to get to the bottom of Athirappally Waterfalls. To get a view of the waterfall, one needs to get down from the top of the waterfall for about 100 meters. There are guards with whistles at the bottom for the protection of travelers.
2. Bathe in the natural pools of the waterfall
The river above the waterfall has a lot of natural pools where you can relax and unwind. It is a common sight to see travelers bathing in the pools above the waterfalls. It is relatively safe as the river is vast and not deep above the falls in a lot of places. You can simply reach the top via a short hike uphill.
3. Visit Vazhachal Waterfalls
Locally known as the Charpa Falls, this waterfall is located a few kilometers up from Athirappilly. Though it’s a small and short waterfall, its beauty makes it a popular tourist destination to visit near Athirappilly. Vazhachal Waterfalls is situated in the Chalakudy district and is covered with a large area of dense forests.
4. Jungle safaris & trekking
Jungle safaris in this area are organized by the Thrissur Tourism Council along with the Forest Department of Kerala and are an attractive activity you can engage in during your vacation in Athirappilly. The safari takes you from Chalakudy to Malakkappara. It can be noted as one of the most memorable jungle safaris through the dark forests of the Sholayar ranges of the Western Ghats.
The jungle safari through this region is the most attractive one to experience the wildlife to the fullest. The region stretches for almost 90 km across the forest of Sholayar, and the Jeep safari takes place in this region. You will be given the wildest opportunity to explore the flora and fauna within the Athirappally Ecotourism including the Athirappally Falls, the famous Butterfly Park, Thumboormuzhy Dam, Kauthuka Park, Vazhachal Falls, the tea gardens, the dense forests, lofty peaks, wildlife, and lush green valleys among other things.
5. Birdwatching
Birdwatching hobbyists frequent Athirappilly Falls as it is the only place in the Western Ghats where four endangered Hornbill species can be spotted.
Baahubali film shooting location at Athirappilly Falls
Athirappilly Waterfalls is one of the most popular film shooting locations in India and a lot of tourists visit Athirappilly after seeing it in popular films. Some of the movies that have been shot here include Baahubali, Dil Se, Guru, Punnagai Mannan, and Paiyaa.
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These splendid images and intriguing facts about one of the most popular waterfalls in India must have piqued your interest to add Athirappilly Falls to the list of destinations you want to visit in Kerala. If you are planning to visit Athirappilly and have some questions, please let us know and we will be happy to answer all your queries about Athirappilly Waterfalls in Kerala.
