[darklord]

I have driven multiple times to Ponmudi, passing the gate bearing the board "Kallar Eco Tourism" every single time, yet somehow, it never aroused my curiosity enough to visit it. Finally, one hot mid April Saturday, I was casually browsing through Google Maps, looking for an evening drive and Kallar again caught my eye. To make things interesting, there was severe rain alert Sunday onwards. Needless to say, exploring a place like Kallar and Meenmutty falls within it during summer with rains accompanying sounded interesting.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/SqrZtbHPt3jP2qhV8

On Sunday noon, I started our drive. There was a slight drizzle accompanying us throughout. By the time we approached the hills, rain clouds appeared to get stronger:


We have to fill up a form with our basic info and get tickets (30 per adult) at the entry gate. We were informed that if there are rains, the guards will evict everyone from the river. There was a dirt track of about a kilometer to get to the parking area. The falls would require walking further, although the bathing spot is right at the parking area.

We began our drive and pretty soon there was a small water crossing:


Not much water thanks to the summer:


We continued our drive. Except that it was a dirt track, there was nothing challenging:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLWmORTtyqw

The drive was through dense woods:


Perhaps due to the rain warnings, despite being a Sunday, we had the place almost to ourselves and we could stop mid-drive and spend a few minutes just enjoying the forest:


The woods were telling us that we were not alone:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29opPljri7Y

Dirt track? Easy peasy:


Soon, a little bit more driving through the woods brought us to the first parking ground:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7kPzp58ZW0

Upon attempting to park there, the security person asked me to drive forward a bit more as four wheelers can be parked closer to the bathing area.

Upon reaching and parking, the drizzle had begun to gain strength and we rushed to spend a few minutes in the river. The river and the surrounding were beautiful and clean:


We spent about five minutes in the water before the rains arrived, and how:




Despite the seemingly calm river, there apparently have been 13 deaths in the past, and the guards take no chances. As soon as the rains started, they shooed everyone out of the water. I spoke to a guard, and he kindly let me take a few photographs standing on a high rock mid-stream:


The rain was raging by now:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oU8eltpzME8

The scene felt mystical:




The rain was unrelenting and I returned to the parking. The guard advised against walking to the waterfall, especially as we had a toddler with us. It would have approached closing time anyway. We decided to return.

Our steed was waiting alone at the parking area:


We began our return drive. The water crossing had gained noticeably more water now:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZuk9B0VYF4

Rain accompanied us all the way back home:


We thoroughly enjoyed the drive and promised ourselves to return sometime after the monsoon to enjoy the Meenmutty Falls as well.

[DicKy]

Same here.

Everytime would go past it and say to myself, "Next time."

Ironic that I would recommend it to many of my friends and acquaintances with many of their wedding photoshoots took place there, while I haven't set my foot there once.

[Excommunicado]

Thanks darklord for sharing. This is such an exquisite place. One day I wish to visit this place in an electric G Wagon/Landcruiser or perhaps some 'daanveer' BHPian will lend it to me (looking at you Turbanator).

Looks great for meditation. I can see myself coming here all stressed up and returning back like 'The Enlightened One'.

[Atom]

Seems like an amazing place. Thank you for sharing.

[Atul Kolekar]

India has so many surprises waiting to be explored. One lifetime seems inadequate. Great post. Thanks for sharing.

[darklord]

Originally Posted by darklord

We began our drive and pretty soon there was a small water crossing:
Attachment 2319041

Not much water thanks to the summer:
Attachment 2319042

This is how it looked after yesterday's rain:


Per Malayala Manorama, the stream overflowed and vehicles and tourists got stuck at the other bank:
https://www.manoramaonline.com/distr...meenmutti.html