Waterfalls in Salem

Holidays are times when we plan to chill out with our family and friends. We chalk out the programme for each day and also prepare a blueprint for places and historical sites or parks to be visited.

Weekends too can be utilized by visiting some soul stirring destinations. Well, how about driving to the nearby waterfall? It will certainly be worth the visit! Yes, being with nature is the latest therapy for peace and rejuvenation.

Did you know that Salem, the fourth largest city in Tamil Nadu is not only famous for stainless steel, mangoes, Anna park - an amusement park for children and Yercaud hills ideal for trekking and which smell of coffee and oranges. It is also famous as the birth place of famous Tamil poet Avviyar.

Who can forget the lovely 15 day Mariamman festival celebrated in Salem in the month of July! There are lot of Marimman temples in Salem and tourists visit Salem when this festival is in full swing!

Visiting Waterfalls in Salem

Let us know more about Kiliyur falls, Agaya Gangai waterfalls, Hogenakkal falls and Mythulu falls. The best season to visit waterfalls near Salem is soon after monsoon, when the rivers are rich and flooded with water. It is quite crowded during this time and so some people also prefer to come here during off-season.

Kiliyur Falls

Kiliyur Falls in Shervaroyan range in the Eastern Ghats is only 3 kms. from Salem. With a height of 300 ft. there are added opportunities for you here! Yes, you can enjoy boating and swimming here! Best time to come here is just after monsoons are over. Distance of Kiliyur falls from Yarcaud Lake is 2.5 kms.

Agaya Gangai Falls

Agaya Gangai waterfall is located in the Eastern Ghats in Kolli hills. The valley where this waterfall shimmers is surrounded by mountains on all sides. With a height of 300 ft. this waterfall is quite near to Arapaleeswarar temple. In the nearby forests, there are caves of Korakka Siddhar and Kalaanginatha Siddhar in the vicinity of Agaya Gangai falls.

Hogenakkal falls

Hogenakkal falls are also known as 'Niagara of India'! Hogenakkal is a picnic spot in Dharmapuri district. This is also the place where river Cauvery (or Kavery) enters Tamil Nadu. One stream of this river forms the Hogenakkal falls which forms clouds of water droplets that look like white clouds! No doubt, Hogenakkal literally stands for smoking rock --- 'Hoge' means smoke and 'kal' means rock.
There are large number of carbonatite rocks in this site. Hogenakkal is also referred to as Marikottayam by the local populace.




The best part about this picnic spot is that you can enjoy boating during dry season. People also love to bathe under the falls as it is believed to contain healing properties. The reason for this is based on the fact that river Cauvery flows through a forest area replete with herbal trees and plants before reaching Hogenakkal. So, people come here to have bath in the river. They also enjoy strolling and trekking in this place.

The boats here are special as they are propelled and steered by a single paddle! Do you like to go fishing? Freshly caught fishes of varieties ranging from katla, keluthi, mirgal, jilaby etc. Today, the Hogenakkal water project is providing drinking water to different regions in Dharmapuri district and Krishnagiri district.

• Distance from Bangaluru: 180 kms.

• Distance from Dharmapuri town: 46 kms.

Mythulu Falls

Located on the foot of Pachamalai, Mythulu falls too is a place where people reach for trekking, swimming and adventurous activities. It is about 15 kms. from Perambalur. High up on the hills is Akaya Gangai waterfalls which is perceived to comprise of medicinal qualities as the stream passes through medicinal herbs in the forest before reaching here.

Well, you don't have to find a reason for being with mother nature. Got some time to spare during weekends? Just pack a few savouries, water and camera and head for these nearby picnic spots. There is nothing like being cajoled and rejuvenated in the lap of mother nature!

Also Read: Weekend Destinations from Salem