Athirappilly Falls

Athirappilly Falls
Map
LocationAthirapilly, Chalakudy Taluk, Thrissur District, Kerala, India
Coordinates10°17′5″N 76°34′7″E / 10.28472°N 76.56861°E / 10.28472; 76.56861
TypeSegmented
Elevation120 m (390 ft)
Total height25 m (82 ft)
Number of drops4
Longest drop51 m (167 ft)
Total width100 m (330 ft)
WatercourseChalakkudi River
Average
flow rate
52 m3/s (1,836 cu ft/s)

Athirapilly Falls is situated in Athirapilly Panchayat in Chalakudy Taluk of Thrissur District in Kerala, India on the Chalakudy River, which originates from the upper reaches of the Western Ghats at the entrance to the Sholayar ranges. It is the largest waterfall in Kerala, which stands tall at 81.5 feet. Just a short drive from Athirapilly is the Vazhachal Falls, which is close to dense green forests that are home to many endangered and endemic species of flora and fauna.

There is another waterfall on the way from Athirapilly to Vazhachal Falls, in close proximity to the road, which is locally called "Charpa Falls". Athirappilly Falls is the largest waterfall in Kerala and is nicknamed "The Niagara of South India".[1]

Controversy about a state-proposed hydroelectric dam on the Chalakudy River above the waterfalls began in the 1990s and continued through 2017.

  1. ^ "The Times of India: Latest News India, World & Business News, Cricket & Sports, Bollywood". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 21 June 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2013.