Palaruvi Waterfalls, which literally translates to ‘Stream of Milk’, comes down through rocks from a height of 300 feet.It is the 32nd highest waterfall in India. This has turned into a delightful picnic spot where one can enjoy a spectacular view uninterrupted. The rocky terrain one has to traverse before reaching it can be cumbersome but once these majestic waterfalls come into sight, any kind of fatigue disappears immediately. The cool water is frequented by those seeking a refreshing dip and it regularly attracts people in large numbers.
The view is electrifying even for the most depressed of the souls. The moodswings In summer, the cascade wanes thin, revealing the intense heat and the dryness in the woods beyond. But even a strand of water from Palaruvi is enough to revitalize your spirits like nothing else can in the season. You’d never want to come away from the bath you take in the midst of woods. But if you want to see Palaruvi in her most violent mood, call on her during monsoon when this erratic drizzle that drenches you softly, changes its mood, gathering all its might from the dark clouds. You can see how the monsoon punishes those gullies and large tracts inside the forest that dared to dry up during summer. Now all paths inside the woods lead to one destination – the Palaruvi waterfalls. A mighty cascade thunders down which can be heard from miles afar. Get into the natural pool where the cascade falls. Feel the might of water plummeting from such height as it kneads your body inch by inch like a skilled masseuse. Many believe water in Palaruvi has medicinal properties. You’d only have to climb the rock, walk beyond the cascade to realize what they meant by it. Palaruvi may not be giving you the pristine glacial waters like the Himalayas, but what you get drenched in, flows along a forest rich with plants that have medicinal properties, and also rocks with their mineral contents. Add to that the vigor of water falling down on your body from some 300mts of height! You’d come away from the showers newborn, looking ready for longer treks in the woods. The spot is replete with history, as you can see mandapams, that testify to a time when royal persons visited the Palaruvi, perhaps, to take advantage of the rejuvenating qualities of a bath in the crystalline white waters.
Getting there
Nearest railway station: Kollam, about 75 km away
Nearest airport: Trivandrum International Airport, about 72 km from Kollam town
