SURULI FALLS

Suruli falls (Tamil: சுருளி அருவி), is located 56 km (35 mi) from Theni and 10 km (6.2 mi) from Cumbum in the Theni District in Tamil Nadu, India. It is a 2 stage Cascading water fall. The Suruli River supplying the falls originates from the Meghamalai mountain range. The falls drop from a height of 150 feet (46 m) gathers into a pool, flows for a short distance and again plummets an additional 40 feet (12 m).


History

The beauty of this falls finds mention in the ancient Tamil epic, Silappathikaram written by the poet Ilango Adigal. Near Suruli Falls are 5 caves which represent Indian rock-cut architecture of the 11th Century.On the Suruli river, The water is said to act as medicine and cure diseases.

Tourism

It is one of the major tourist attractions in the Theni district and draws tourists from different parts of the state, particularly during the southwest monsoon. June - October is the best season due to monsoon activity, though there is some flow year round. This falls is tourist friendly with showers and changing area near the falls. There are frequent bus services available from Cumbum and Uthamapalayam to reach this falls on the way to Periyar National Park. The Tamil Nadu Tourism Department celebrates summer festival at Suruli falls every year.Construction of a bridge across the Suruli River at a cost of Rs.45 lakhs has increased tourist flow to the falls significantly.

Temples

Suruli hills is the part of the Pothigai Malai. Pothigai hills is a highly divine and spiritual center. There is a story that when Shiva and Parvati entered into divine matrimony at Mount Kailash in the north, the place was unbalanced because of the large number of holy beings witnessing the wedding. Lord Shiva asked Agastya Maharishi to proceed to the South of India to balance the world. Agastya Maharishi then proceeded to Pothigai hills and balanced the world. Agastya Maharishi was able to visualise the wedding of Lord Shiva and Parvati on a Shivalingam that was at Tiru Kalyana Teertham at Pothigai hills. These hills are visited by several saints and sages from Himalayas particularly on a full moon day. The striking similarity between the profiles of Mt. Kailash and Agasthyamalai strengthen the mythological connections of these sacred peaks.

In November 2009, Minister of Environment and Forests, Jairam Ramesh, in a letter to Anil Kakodkar, Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy (India) (DAE) and Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission of India (AEC), denied permission for the Department of Atomic Energy to set up the India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) project at Singara in Nilgiris, as it falls in the buffer zone of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR).

Instead, he suggested an alternate site near Suruli Falls. The Minister said this site did not pose the same problems that Singara posed and environmental and forest clearances should not be a serious issue. He also assured the DAE that the Ministry would facilitate necessary approvals for the alternative location.