ACHENKOVIL RIVER AND KUMBHAVURUTTY WATERFALLS

ACHENKOVIL RIVER AND

KUMBHAVURUTTY WATERFALLS

Achankovil River which is also called as Achankovilaaru is located in Pathanamthitta and it combines with the Pamba River in Alappuzha district. This river is also called as Kulallada River. Achankovil River is formed when the rivers like Rishimala, Pasukidamettu and Ramakkalteri Rivers meet. The river has a length of around 128 kms. The drainage basin of this river is a forest area called as Achankovil. A town situated here also by the same name is not easily accessible from the main town. The area is not well developed. Some major towns located on the banks of the river include Pandalam, Mavelikkara, Padanilam, Punalur, Pathanapuram etc. A unique feature here is that there are many ancient temples in the river route. A place famous for flora and fauna called Edappon lies on the banks of this river. A Siva Temple called as Kandiyoor Mahadeva temple is also situated on the river banks. This temple which is around 2200 years old is made of black stones. The famous Chettikulangara temple is also near to this. 

Kumbhavurutty Waterfalls is a beautiful place situated 7 Kms away from the Achencoil.It is on the Achencoil-Schencottah Road of Kollam district,Kerala.Achencovil is almost 95 kms away from Kollam.Kumbhavurutty Waterfalls is managed by Manalar-Kumbhavurutty Vana Samrakshana Samithy and,is close to the Kerala -Tamil Nadu border.Kerala Forest Department has started an “Eco-Contact Centre” at this place.Apart from waterfalls,visitors can go trekking to the sprawling grasslands at high elevation,for an unique experience through evergreen thickets,abundant in wild flora and fauna.Manalar is a natural falls,which is 2 Kms away from Kumbhavurutty waterfalls.Achencovil is a main Hindu pilgrim center in Kerala.Achencovil Sastha temple is one of the five Sastha temples in Kerala.Achencovil is also a Eco-Tourist place.The place is near from NH 208.Entry is allowed from 10 a.m.Trekking is an important attraction here.Kumbhavurutty waterfalls is one of the main attractions of Achankovil,a pilgrim center in Kollam District.This natural waterfall gives a breathtaking atmosphere with sounds of the rushing waters and the beauty of the nature.Achankovil is situated 80 kms north-east of Punalur.The waters of the Kumbhavarutty cascading down the hills at once attract your attention.Both sides of the narrow,hill road are dotted with thatched sit-outs.We can see a few beautiful treetop houses too.Kumbhavurutty Waterfalls offers breathtaking sight!.From the top,the water finds its way through big and small rocks to become a bubbling stream.We can see steps,cut into the rock,lead visitors to the top of the waterfalls

Prof. John Kurakar