Thusharagiri Waterfall - 10 Things to Know Before Visiting

Out of the five waterfalls at Thusharagiri Waterfalls, only three - Erattumukku, Mazhavil Chattom, and Thumbithullum Para - are accessible to visitors. Of these three waterfalls, two are within 500 meters of each other and they are easy to reach. To reach Thumbithullan Waterfalls, a short hike of around one kilometer is required. The two other waterfalls are located upstream 5 km away and are generally closed to visitors. During the monsoon season, all but one waterfall will be open for visitors(from June to October). 

The first of the waterfalls is Erattumukku falls, situated right near the entrance. It gets its name from the two rivulets that join here to form the Chalipuzha river. Erattumukku in Malayalam means ‘place where two rivers join’. These are the only falls that can be accessed without any hike and opened throughout the year even in peak monsoon season.

There is a hanging bridge in front of the falls from where one can get a good look at the falls and the carpet of greenery around. Cascading from a good height, it looks as if white snow is sliding along a black backdrop. You can walk to the bottom of the falls and take a thunderous bath underneath it when the water is not so fierce.

From Erattumukku, one has to hike 400 meters up through large tree roots and rocks to reach the next fall called Mazhavil Chattam (Rainbow waterfalls). On sunny days the waterfalls and the sun's rays create rainbows here, hence the name. Bathing under these falls is very dangerous.

A kilometer of further hiking takes the visitor to Thumbithullum Para Waterfalls, the third one of the Thusharagiri Waterfall cluster. The hike is through the river itself climbing onto rocks and at times getting oneself very wet. There are small rocks in the river bed that can get very slippery. Judging the force of the water coming down through the river is tricky. 

All sides are covered by rocks and there is a natural pool where you can enjoy a refreshing dip. The pool is not too deep so even non-swimmers can jump in without any worries.

The name of the waterfall ‘Thumbithullum Para’ means ‘dragonfly dancing rocks’, due to the number of dragonflies seen on the rocks near the area. 

In addition to the visits to the waterfalls, there are multiple other trekking options available here that will get you to the deep forests. It is possible to trek to the remaining waterfalls some 5 kilometers away and to a large swimming hole called ‘Thonikayam’ due to it being shaped naturally like a boat (thoni means boat and kayam means swimming hole in Malayalam). You may have to check with the waterfall authorities to get more details on them. 

On the premises of the waterfalls is a 120-year-old Thanni tree (Terminalia bellirica) which is called ‘Thanni Muthassi’ (Thanni Grandma) by the locals. The unique feature of this tree is its hollow bark that could accommodate three people at a time in its lower reaches. The tree is so hollow that while looking up from inside, you can see the sky at the top end of the tree.

Thusharagiri is a plantation destination filled with rubber, Areca nut, pepper, ginger, and other spices which joins seamlessly with Wayanad Forest. The area was covered in dense forest decades ago. In the early 1900s settlers reached here from Southern Kerala in search of a better life. Battling with the wild and converting the forest areas to plantations, they found their home in the fertile soils of Thusharagiri.

Today, there are trekking routes from Thusharagiri to Wayanad. They take one through dense forests and give you a peek at how the region looked a long time ago when no humans called the area their home.

The waterfall flows throughout the year and visitors could explore it in most seasons. Monsoon rains starting from June to September bring plenty of water through the river, but the heavy downpour and the slippery conditions will limit the adventures to a minimum especially since the authorities secure the area around the waterfalls in chains for safety reasons. Access to the second and third waterfalls will also be closed during this time.

After the monsoons- from October to May, the chains and much of the restrictions will be removed, making it easier for visitors to explore all three waterfalls and taking baths in the naturally formed pools.

1. Thusharagiri Waterfall is best visited during the monsoon season. The rains bring out the full beauty of the falls, and the flow of water is at its peak. On the otherhand, all waterfalls except for one will be closed during the monsoon season.
2. Visitors should wear water apt shoes and clothing. The path to the waterfall can be slippery, and there are many slippery boulders to climb during the river walk.
3. Be sure to pack your bathing suit. The pool at the base of the waterfall is the perfect place to cool off. 
4. The falls are located in a remote area and there are not many hotels or restaurants nearby. So, it is advisable to carry your own food and water.
5. The falls are located in a densely forested area and there are many leeches on the trails. So, it is advisable to wear full-length trousers and socks to avoid getting bitten.

1. The name Thusharagiri means ‘mist capped peaks’ as the area is covered in mist for the most part of the year.

Thusharagiri waterfall is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kerala, India. Every year, thousands of people come to see the beautiful falls. The average time to spend at the falls is around two hours during monsoon season.

If you want to experience all that the falls have to offer, you should plan to spend at least half a day here exploring all five waterfalls and the hiking trails.

Thusharagiri waterfall is about 50 kilometers from Kozhikode City where direct buses are available to the nearest town Kodenchery. From Kodenchery, the 11 km to the falls can be covered by hiring a taxi/ rickshaw. Alternatively, there are some buses available to the fall area but one should check with the locals about the timing of these buses. The other major towns are Thiruvambady (18 km), Thamarassery (17 km), and Kalpetta in Wayanad (32 km). The nearest railway station is in Kozhikode.

Adults are charged INR 30 and students are charged INR 10 for entrance to the Thusharagiri waterfall.

Thusharagiri waterfall is open daily from 6 AM to 6 PM. Note that during the monsoon season(June to September) only one of the five falls will be open for visitors.