What to expect
Highlights
- Sothuparai Dam — A scenic reservoir near Periyakulam set against the Western Ghats with a landscaped park and fountains. It is a popular local picnic and photography spot, especially after the monsoon.
- Manjalar Dam — A dam across the Manjalar River, a tributary of the Vaigai, that supplies irrigation to the surrounding farmland. Its calm reservoir and hill backdrop make it a quiet outing spot.
- Periyakulam — A historic town at the foot of the Kodaikanal hills renowned for its mango orchards, earning it a reputation as a mango-trading centre. It serves as a base for visiting Kumbakkarai Falls and Sothuparai Dam.
- Kumbakkarai Falls — A seasonal series of rock cascades and pools below the Kodaikanal hills. Confirm the currently open public entrance locally before travelling.
- Periyakulam Balasubramaniar Temple — This ancient Murugan (Balasubramanya) temple in Periyakulam is traditionally credited to the Chola king Rajendra Chola, said to have modelled the site on Kasi (Varanasi). Devotees bathe in the associated Brahma theertham, believed to have curative powers. Major festivals include Panguni Uthiram and Maha Karthigai.
