Chalakudy

India / Kerala / Chalakudi /
 Upload a photo
Athirappilly is thirty kilometres from Chalakudy, which is en route to the waterfalls there. Also on this route are two water theme parks: Dream World and Silver Storm.

The name "Chalakudy" is derived from the word "Shalakudy", meaning a place where sacrifices are made.
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   10°18'57"N   76°20'0"E

Comments

  • Chalakudy is the base station for the famed Athirappally waterfalls, Malakkapara and Sholayar hydro project. It is a market place for spices and rubber. It is on the banks of the Chalakudy River, which is originated from Anamalai Hills(Western Ghats) Athirappilly Falls is situated in Athirappilly panchayath in Thrissur district of Kerala, on the southwest coast of India. Located on the west-flowing Chalakudy River near the Vazhachal Forest Division and the Sholayur ranges, this 24-metre (80 ft) waterfall and the nearby Vazhachal Falls are popular tourist destinations. Controversy about a state-proposed hydroelectric dam on the Chalakudy River above the waterfalls began in the 1990s and has continued through 2007. River View of the falls from the bottom during summerThe Chalakudy River, 145 kilometres (90 mi) long, originates in the Anamudi mountains (Western Ghats) and flows through the Vazhachal Forest toward the Arabian Sea. Forest wildlife includes the Asiatic elephant, tiger, leopard, bison, sambar, and lion-tailed macaque. Plantations in the area contain teak, bamboo, and eucalyptus. The river initially runs smoothly but becomes more turbulent as it nears Athirappilly. At Athirappilly Falls, the water surges around big rocks and cascades down in three separate plumes. Below the falls, the river remains turbulent for about 1 kilometre (0.6 mi) until it reaches Kannamkuzhi. Then it calms and flows smoothly until reaching the dam at Imburmuzhi. Tourism The railway station nearest Athirappilly Falls is 30 kilometres (19 mi) to the west in Chalakudy, and the nearest airport is Kochi International Airport, about 55 kilometres (34 mi) southwest of the waterfall and 58 kilometres (36 mi) south of Thrissur. Athirappilly is easily reachable from Chalakudy by taxi or by bus from the Chalakudy private bus terminal. Athirappilly is situated on the highways connecting Tamil Nadu and Kerala, amidst thick forest, so night riding is not advised. The journey from Chalakudy to the Athirappilly Falls passes through a landscape of winding roads, small villages and lush green trees. Visitors can reach the top of the waterfall via a paved path that leads through thick bamboo clusters. A steep narrow path also leads to the bottom of the falls. The falls attract visitors from across India, especially during the monsoon months (June-September). About 7 million tourists visit the falls and the Vazhachal picnic spot each year. Athirapally Waterfalls A view of Vazhachal FallsThe scenic beauty of Athirappilly falls has always been attractive to filmmakers. Major portion of 1986 Tamil movie Punnagai Mannan was shot near the falls, the Falls itself playing a role in it. It made the Falls a popular one in Tamilnadu that it got the nickname "Punnagai Mannan Falls". The 2007 bollywood movie Guru used Athirappilly Falls as one of its locations. Rajiv Menon, the cinematographer of the movie, chose Athirappilly Falls as a background for one of its songs. Hydroelectric project In 1994, the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) proposed a 163 megawatt Athirappilly Hydro Electric Project. It was to include a dam 23 metres (75 ft) high and 311 metres (1,020 ft) wide on the Chalakudy River in the Vazhachal Forest Division about 5 kilometres (3 mi) upstream of Athirappilly Falls and 400 metres (1,312 ft) upstream of Vazhachal Rapids (Vazhachal Falls). However, environmental groups and people's collectives opposed the project on grounds that it would damage the environment, infringe on human rights, and threaten tourism. Though it was not their main concern, critics also noted that if the entire course of the river were diverted to make electricity, the Athirappilly-Vazhachal waterfalls could dry up. To avoid damaging the falls, the KSEB proposed adjusting the water releases to maintain the falls. In 2005, the Kerala Ministry of Environment and Forests approved the project on the basis of a report by Water and Power Consultancy Services (India) Ltd. (WAPCOS), an environmental impact assessment (EIA) agency. In 2006, the Kerala High Court quashed the clearance and ordered another public hearing. The debate continued in 2007.
  • nice Tony.
  • A historical town, Chalakudi is situated 30 km south of Thrissur town in Thrissur District. It was an army base of Tipu Sultan during the attack of the Travancore and was then known as Krishnakotta or Nedumkotta. The place is famous for timber trade. Nearest airport is Cochin International Airport. Chalakudi Railway Station is on the Ernakulam-Thrissur line. Nearest major railhead is Ernakulam Junction Railway Station.
  • chala"kudy" , as the name suggests is the abode for "kudy"iyans , i.e chalakudy has the highest No of drunkards. chalakudy scores the top rank in 'beverage office' collctions.
  • it is a very good city
  • its is one of the beutiful place i have ever seen
  • It gives the state one of the greatest revenues from bevco and tourism
  • its very awesome town
  • Its a very nice place to see, known to be the home town of one of the famous actor in malayalam,kalabhavan mani.And also a famous 3 star hotel is there. Hotel Sidhartha located in the heart of chalakudy.
  • I like to ever being a Chalakudiarian...............
  • Show all comments
This article was last modified 4 years ago