Suruli Falls is a 150-foot-high, two-stage cascading falls near Cumbum Town in Theni District, Tamilnadu state. After falling into a pond, this waterfall again plummets another 40 feet.

This photo of Suruli Falls is courtesy of TripAdvisor

The falls are on the Suruli River, which originates in the Meghamalai mountain range. Meghamalai mountain range is part of Pothigai Malai or Pothigai hills, which is divine to Hindus.

It is believed that Lord Shiva and Goddesses Parvati were married at Mount Kailash. Due to many holy beings witnessing the marriage, Mount Kailash got unbalanced. Therefore, Maharishi Agastya or Agastya Muni (meaning Saint Agastya) was sent to these mountains by Lord Shiva. He was asked to balance the world, which he did successfully. At the same time, Agastya Muni could visualize the wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddesses Parvati at a Shivalingam at Tiru Kalyana Teertham, at Pothigai hills. This area is frequented by saints, on full moon days. There is an idol of Agastya Muni situated at the peak of Agasthyamalai.

Many 11th-century caves can be found near Suruli Falls. These caves are fine examples of Indian rock-cut architecture. Tamilnadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) conducts an annual summer festival at Suruli Falls. Chinna Suruli or Cloudland Falls is another fall, at around 54 kilometres distance from Theni town.

Suruli Aandavar temple (Subramania Swami temple) is a famous temple at Suruli hills. Suruli Velappar Temple, shaped like an OM Pranava, is one of the nearby tourist attractions. (Om is a sacred icon in the Hindu religion. Om is also a sacred mantra in Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism.)

This fall is mentioned in Silappathikaram, the ancient Tamil epic written by Ilango Adigal.

How Do I Go to Suruli Falls?

Suruli Falls is well connected by roads. Tamilnadu state government buses are available frequently from Cumbum and Uthamapalayam. Cumbam is the nearest town, at a distance of ten kilometers from the falls. Uthamapalayam town is around 20 kilometers distance from the Falls at Surali. Theni Town is approximately 55 kilometers from the falls. The falls are on the way to Periyar National Park.

Which is the Ideal Season to Visit the Falls?

June – October months are the ideal season to visit the falls, although there is some flow all through the year.