A TRIP TO ATHIRAPILLY NIAGARA OF THE SOUTH ASIA

It was in August 2013 right after the heavy monsoon in Kerala me and Sayed planned for a 1 day trip to Athirapally water falls. June and July was raining cat and dogs in Kerala. A monsoon so prominent was recorded almost 20 years back only. I don’t remember a monsoon season in my memories which lasted for almost 2 months. Even the Idukki Dam was under the threat of over flowing and was a real time blast for Medias for some days. Almost all the rivers of Kerala were running out of their trajectories.

So on a Sunday we planned to do the outing. Saturday after the office I went to Syed’s room and stayed there for the next day’s trip. We started early in the morning after the day break in my bike and took the route through Ezhattumugham. From Angamaly we need to take right to deviate to Ezhattumugham. The road was good and we could drive comfortably. We reached Ezhattumugham and stopped for some pics. The river was flowing vigorously. After Ezhattumugham we entered some private roads inside a huge plantation. There was no one else going by that road. At some point of time we even though we lost the way. But Sayed was using his mobile GPS and the route was showing correct on it.

The plantation was Palm and some other shrubs and herbs which I didn’t understand. The stretch inside the plantation was literally a horrible road. The tarred road was almost on the verge of extinction. We kissed gutters very often and after some more time we again reached some plain roads. The road to Athirapally was good from here onwards. Newly tarred and broad one. Riding was very comfortable.

In almost two hours we were closing the falls and I could get a long glimpse of the falls through the forest cover. The scene was amazing. I have never seen the falls so momentous. She was at her best after the heavy downpour and the entire stretch of the falls was completely covered with water. Normally what we could see is a free fall through the middle of the falls but this was something different and I could even hear the distant roar of the falls from that distance even.

We couldn’t wait to see her close and started moving again. In another 15 minutes we reached Athirapally. Taking the tickets from the counter we rush to see the great fall. I couldn’t explain what we saw reaching the top of the falls down the way. The river was almost flooded and the falls gave a wonderful view from the top. The dew was flying all over the place from the down fall. The view of the falls was literally a feast to the eyes.

Though I have been there earlier also I have never seen her dancing like this. We spent a lot of time there. It was a very busy day at Athirapally and lot of tourists were there. We saw people throwing food stuffs and soft drinks bottles to monkeys which are often seen there though they are not supposed to do so.

The entry to the river was strictly restricted with fence all over the place. Entering the river in this time is nothing but suicide. After a considerably long photo session we headed down the trails for reaching the base of the falls. Walking through the laid trails for 15 minutes we reached the base of the falls. The view of the falls was different from the base. We couldn’t go to the river bank as it was flooded but the down fall of water was so heavy with a huge roar. I would rather say it scary than beautiful. Water droplets scattered all over the place and moving close to the falls was not possible. Using the camera was also very difficult due to the moisture in the air. Every Now and then I had to wipe my camera to avoid moisture making trouble.And we started to return.

THANKS ATHIRAPILLY FOR SUCH A TREAT