Location: Kumbakarai Road, Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu 624101.
Timings: Monday to Sunday (8:00 am – 4:00 pm)
Entry fee: INR 10 for children and INR 15 for adults.
History of Kumbakkarai Falls :
Kumbakkarai Falls has a very interesting history. Initially, this area was an open wilderness with only shrubs and rocks, almost barren and completely unnoticed by locals and tourists. The first initiative to turn this place into a tourist spot was taken by Thiru K. Chellum Iyer, a well-known influential business tycoon from Periyakulam.
He was the owner of the Bhavani Krishna Vilas Hotel. In 1942, he single handedly approached the British Government with his proposal. The British Government approved of his plan and granted him permission to rebuild the area into a thriving tourist spot. He started with the construction of a natural “staircase” to access the place, bathing spots and dressing rooms, at his own expense.
Today, the area has flourished into one of the most visited Falls in the area. The statue of Murugan that can be found in the vicinity was sponsored by Thiru K. Chellum Iyer as well. There is a stone with an inscription detailing his contributing and expressing the gratitude of the locals to Mr Iyer, and the people of Kumbakkarai glorify his name even today.
Visitor's Facility:
There are restrooms and washrooms for the visitors who come to Kumbakarai Waterfalls. There is an adjoining section dedicated to food stalls that sell refreshments for guests to enjoy during their visit. Guides, cars for hire and locals are also available for help.
Features of Kumbakkarai Falls:
The Kumbakkarai Falls is a breathtaking cascading waterfall which has its source in the Kodaikanal Hills, in the Western Ghats. This waterfall flows down in two stages before it hits the foothills. In the first stage, the water collects in deep recesses of the rockface.
The water then flows in straight streams in the form of the River Pambar. The length of the river is approximately 0.5 km. After crossing this stretch the water drops off the edge of the hill as the waterfall and forms a pool full of cool water at the foothills. The water while flowing gathers a large number of minerals and herbs, which enrich the water and make it soothing with therapeutic qualities.
This is an additional benefit and unique feature for the visitors who come to bathe in this waterfall. The water is said to be beneficial for skin problems like allergies and ageing. Food is prohibited in the area due to environmental cleanliness, but you can find several food stalls nearby for refreshments away from the main waterfall. Parking is also available outside the waterfall area.
Places to Stay Near Kumbakkarai Falls:
The Kumbakkarai area is well-equipped with several quality hotels for a comfortable stay. A visitor can choose any accommodation as per their budget and preference. Listed below are some of the best hotels in the area.
1. Kodai Resort - The Kodai Resort is 7.1 Km away from the Kumbakkarai Falls, located on the Coaker’s Walk on Kodaikanal. This is a four-star hotel whose interiors are aesthetically decorated and set up with modern facilities like LCD TVs, free Wi-Fi network and twenty-four hours room service. The room charges start at INR 3,554 per day.
2. Villa Retreat - This is a four-star hotel with plush interiors and spacious rooms and lounges with balconies overlooking the breathtaking view offered by Kodaikanal. The hotel provides excellent housekeeping and room service with amenities such as hot showers and free internet available round the clock. The charges per day start at INR 5,376.
3. Hotel Apple Valley - This sophisticated hotel is located on the Anna Salai Road on Kodaikanal, 7.4 km away from Kumbakkarai Falls. This hotel provides comfortable interiors along with amenities such as free internet, dry cleaning, concierge and also babysitting.
4. Hilltop Towers - The Hilltop Tower is a comfortable hotel located on Hilltop Towers, Poet Tyagaraja Road, in Kodaikanal, 7.6 Kms from the Kumbakkarai Falls. With spacious and comfortable rooms, this hotel provides free parking, high-speed internet, a children’s activity centre and 24-hour front desk service.
Places to Eat Near Kumbakkarai Falls:
There are several restaurants serving authentic and hygienic local food that can be found in the area surrounding Kumbakkarai Falls. Mentioned below are some of the most popular restaurants in the area.
1. Tava - Tava is a popular restaurant, known for its delicious North Indian, South Indian and Asian dishes. The food is fresh and the prices are reasonable. It is a vegetarian restaurant with vegan options also available. It is located on the Kodaikanal Road, opposite New Hotel Punjab.
2. Muncheez - Muncheez is a favourite local food joint that is popular for its Indian and fusion food along with their cheesy pizzas. This joint serves vegetarian and non-vegetarian food and snacks and also have an impressive range of beverages that guests can choose from. Located on the Pt. Road, Kodaikanal, this restaurant is the perfect place to unwind with some great food after a hectic day.
3. Ten Degrees - Ten Degrees serves fresh Indian and Continental cuisines and also a range of fresh seafood dishes. The food here is unique and well-prepared and guests are greeted with warm hospitality. It is located on Pt. Road in Kodaikanal and is the perfect place to enjoy some fine dining food in a relaxed setting.
4. Royal Tibet - The Royal Tibet is a popular restaurant serving incredible Tibetan food. From fresh momos to spring rolls, noodles to Tibetan bread and thukpas, this place is a favourite for Tibetan and Chinese cuisine. All the food in this homely restaurant is authentic and pocket-friendly. Situated on the Poet Thyagaraja Road, Kodaikanal, this is a warm place to relax and unwind with friends and family.
Tips Before Visiting Kumbakkarai Falls:
The Kumbakkarai Falls is a place to chill and unwind, relax and have fun. But to ensure that your trip doesn’t have any unpleasant surprises, here are a few tips that could come handy:
1. Since the main attraction of this place is the waterfall, you should pack your swimming essentials like sunscreen, swimsuits, towels, flip flops, etc.
2. Towels and spiked slippers are a must so that you can manoeuvre over the slippery stones with ease and confidence.
3. It is advisable to avoid the monsoon season in Kodaikanal, as the waters become rough and the stones are more slippery during this time of the year.
4. If you are travelling with children to the waterfall, it is advisable to keep them close, and not let them go swimming in the pool unless they are trained in swimming.
5. A small first aid box with essential medicines for fever, cold and cough are a must to carry along.
