Ullakarvi Waterfall

About Ullakarvi Waterfall

Ullakarvi is a waterfalls on the Western Ghats hills near Nagercoil in Kanyakumari District, Tamilnadu state.In Tamil ‘Ullakarvi’ literally means ‘Ullakai + Aruvi’. Ullakai is a tool which used for removing the skin from the raw rice. [A thick wooden rod with height of 3 to 4 feet, with a diameter of 3 inches. one end will be covered with a semi sphere made metal mostly iron. The metal end will be hitting the raw rice grain in Ural [a container made of stone] The name of the Falls is Ullakai because the water will fall on our head like Ullakai.

Ullakarvi falls is about 35 km from Kanyakumari town and about 17 km from Nagercoil town, near Azhakiyapandiapuram village. The falls is up in the middle of forested hills (the hills of the Western Ghats), which is accessible only by foot from the base of the hills. The hour’s trek from the base of the hills is through rocky, forested area, which is thrilling in itself.

There are two falls - the lower falls, which is a good picnic spot, and the higher falls, which is further uphill.The water is basically spring water, coming in as a stream up from the hills nearby.

Interesting places to Visit

Kanyakumari Beach: The Kanyakumari beach with multi-colored sand and rocky shoreline is definitely one of the most beautiful beaches in south India and offers a great change from all other beaches. The waves that hit the shore are quite strong and frequent, that means that one does not get to enjoy a step into the shallow water or a sea bath.

Vivekananda Memorial Rock It is about 500 meters away from mainland**.**  This memorial stands on one of two rocks separated by about 70 meters**.** It was built in 1970. This memorial is dedicated to Swami Vivekananda, the greatest social reformer. Swamy Vivekananda was supposed to have meditated on the rock where the memorial stands today. A meditation hall is also attached with the memorial.

Gandhi Mandapam :Not far from the Kumari Amman Temple is the Gandhi Mandapam, constructed at the spot where the urn containing the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi was kept for public view before a portion of its contents was immersed in the three seas. It resembles an Oriyan temple and was designed so that on Gandhiji’s birthday (2nd October), the sun’s rays fall on the place where his ashes were kept.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation

Accommodation near Ullakarvi Waterfall in the nearest town includes budget lodges, guesthouses, and forest rest houses. Book ahead on weekends.

Help Line/Phone Number

Police Station:

Kanyakumari Police Station Phone:246224

Asaripallam Police Station
Nagercoil, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu
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Office Of The Superintendent Of Police
Nagercoil, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu

Kottar Police Station
Nagercoil, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu

Nearest Hospital:

CSI Hospital: 222222

Vijayakumar Hospital: 275045

Abdul Kadher Hospital: 240804

Catherine Booth Hospital: 275516

Dr. Kumarsamy Health Center: 270636

Kumaran Nursing Home: 231418

Irudhayams Hospital: 241561

Bedesta Hospital: 232233

Jeyasekhran Hospital: 271620

Krishnakumar Hospital: 230021

J. Mathias Hospital: 223137

Manju Nursing Home: 273849

Holy Cross Hospital: 230897

Moses Mathias Hospital: 232601

Moris Mathias Hospital: 276009

Location info

• **Address:**Kanyakumari,Kanyakumari District ,Tamil nadu ,India

• **District:**Kanyakumari District

• Nearest City: Thiruvananthapuram

• Best time to visit: Throughout the Year

Climate & weather

The climate is of tropical humid type with an oppressive summer and The temperature normally ranges between summer - Max.36.2, Min.20.6, and winter - Max.35, Min.18

History of Ullakarvi Waterfall

According to this story Kanya Devi, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati, was to marry Lord Shiva, however, since Shiva did not appear at the right time and the wedding ceremony could never take place. This is why the rice and cereals entailed for the wedding remained unprepared. Till today, there is a popular custom of buying stones that look like rice and cereals. Local people believe that these stones are the remnants of the legendary wedding ceremony, which could not be held. And thus the princess Kanya Devi, remained a virgin goddess blessing the travelers and pilgrims abroad.

How to reach Ullakarvi Waterfall

• **Nearest Railway Station:**Tirunelvelli (90 kms)

• **Nearest Airport:**Trivandrum (80kms)

• **Road Transport:**Kanyakumari is very well connected to all the major cities in the Southern India.there are good number of buses to every cities

Nearest visiting places

VattaKotai Fort & Beach:Vattakottai Fort (or ‘Circular Fort’) is a seaside fort near Kanyakumari, the southern tip of India. It was built in the 18th century as a coastal defence-fortification and barracks in the erstwhile Travancore kingdom.It was constructed under the supervision of Captain Eustachius De Lannoy, an ex-Dutch naval officer of the VOC, who became commander of the Travancore army in the 18th century, by earning the trust of the Travancore King Marthanda Varma. De Lannoy constructed Vattakottai, as part of the defence-fortifications he undertook throughout Travancore.
Padbanabhapuram Palace:Padmanabhapuram Palace : This is located in at Padmanabhapuram Fort, close to the town of Thuckalay in Kanyakumari District, Tamilnadu. It is about 20 km from Nagercoil. The palace is inside an old granite fortress around four kilometers long. The palace is located at the foot of the Veli Hills, which form a part of the Western Ghats.

Best time to visit Ullakarvi Waterfall

Post-monsoon (October–February) when the waterfall is at its fullest with the most spectacular flow. Early morning (7–9 AM) offers the best light for photography. Avoid visiting during heavy monsoon when water levels are dangerously high.

Timings & opening hours

Best visited during daylight hours (7:00 AM–5:00 PM). The waterfall is most accessible during the dry season (post-monsoon to early summer). Access may be restricted during heavy monsoon due to dangerous water levels.

Entry fee & tickets

Entry fee: INR 10–20 per person. Parking: INR 20–50 for vehicles. Some waterfalls within forest reserves or tourism complexes may have combined entry tickets.

Duration needed

1–2 hours including the walk to the waterfall and time spent enjoying the scenery. If trekking from a farther distance, allow 3–4 hours round trip. A visit combining nearby attractions may take half a day.

Safety tips

DO NOT swim or bathe directly under the waterfall — strong currents and submerged rocks pose serious danger. Slippery rocks near the waterfall are extremely hazardous. Stay behind safety barriers. Watch for leeches during monsoon. Avoid visiting after dark. Follow forest department guidelines.

Things to carry

1. Change of Clothes: You will likely get wet.
2. Waterproof Bag: Protect phone, camera, and wallet.
3. Comfortable Footwear with Grip: Rocks are slippery.
4. Towel: For drying off.
5. Insect Repellent: Waterfall areas have mosquitoes.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest airport: Madurai International Airport (IXM) for southern waterfalls, Coimbatore International Airport (CJB) for western, Salem Airport (SXV) for northern. Nearest railway station: the nearest station in the closest town. By road: most waterfalls are approachable by bus and taxi.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, BSNL, and Vi all provide coverage across Tamil Nadu. 4G is reliable in Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, and along major highways. Coverage may be weaker in remote sections of the Western Ghats, deep forest reserves, and certain rural interior areas. Free Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels and cafes in urban areas.

Food & restaurants nearby

Near Ullakarvi Waterfall, local food stalls offer Tamil Nadu snacks and refreshments. Visitors can enjoy fresh coconut water, roasted peanuts, bhajji, and seasonal fruits from nearby vendors. For full meals, nearby towns have restaurants serving traditional South Indian dishes like idli, dosa, rice meals, and curries. Packing a picnic is popular for families visiting the falls.

Things to do at Ullakarvi Waterfall

Enjoy the spectacular view of water cascading down the rock face, especially impressive during the post-monsoon season. Take photographs of the waterfall and surrounding forest landscape. Walk on the designated trails around the waterfall to appreciate the full scale of the cascade.

Things to visit & highlights

The main waterfall cascade with its pool at the base. The surrounding forest landscape with its rich biodiversity. Viewpoints along the approach trail offering different perspectives of the waterfall. Nearby streams and rock formations.

Nearest petrol pump

Petrol pumps are available in the nearest town on the main road. It is advisable to fill fuel before heading into interior or forest areas as options may be limited.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Ullakarvi Waterfall? Post-monsoon season (October–February) when the waterfall is at its fullest. Early morning offers the best lighting for photography.

Is swimming safe at Ullakarvi Waterfall? Swimming is generally not recommended due to strong currents and submerged rocks. Some areas with gentle pools may be safe for wading — check locally.

How difficult is the trek to Ullakarvi Waterfall? The walk varies from an easy 5–15 minute stroll to a moderate 20–30 minute trek depending on the specific waterfall. Wear comfortable walking shoes.

Accessibility

Accessibility information is not currently available for this site. Contact the venue directly or check with your accommodation for the latest accessibility details.

Rules & restrictions

Standard visitor rules apply. Check locally for any specific restrictions at this site.

Best photography spots

The best photography spots are typically during the golden hours (early morning and late afternoon). Scout the location first to identify the best angles, and consider the direction of light at different times of day.

Quick facts

• Type: Tourist Attraction
• State: Tamilnadu
• Category: Waterfall

Visitor information

Please check locally for current visitor information.