Vazhachal Waterfalls - 5 Things to Know Before Visiting

Vazhachal Falls, located five kilometres from the famous Athirapally Falls in Kerala is a 100 meter long horizontal fall situated in Chalakudy River at the Sholayar Reserve Forest areas. Unlike the striking Athirapally Falls, the Vazhachal Fall appears more like a fast-paced river. Water here gushes along the steeply inclined rocky terrain with the backdrop of thick green forest before continuing its journey to the larger Athirapally Falls.

Visiting the Vazhachal Waterfall

Visitors usually come to Vazhachal after exploring Athirapally Falls. The journey to the falls is through reserve forests and plantations, it is green in every direction one looks at. There is another season waterfall on the way to Vazhachal Falls known as Charpa Waterfalls and it is situated en route with the road passing over a bridge constructed at the bottom of the fall. Since it is a seasonal waterfall, it will be dry except for the monsoon season from June to October and the months right after it.

Vazhachal Falls are located right at the roadside. There is a garden inside the fall areas where you can sit peacefully and enjoy the view and the sound of the gushing waters. Safety railings are placed at the sides of the waterfall from where you can see the journey of the water coming down through the black rocky bed and the green thick forests surrounding it.

The hidden dangers lurking beneath the waters 

The fall appears shallow in most of the areas but the dangers of the rocky bed are very well hidden by the gushing waters. The black protruding rocks gives an impression that the fall and the river can be easily crossed on foot but that is quite the opposite. The rocks are extremely slippery and the force of the water is too strong as it accelerates downwards. There are large crevices under the rocks and if you slip, you will be either get stuck in one of these crevices or taken by the river downstream slamming you in the rocks. There is a long history of visitors loosing their life here owing to its mischievousness.

Getting to Vazhachal Falls and the best time to visit

Vazhachal Falls are situated at the Chalakudy River in Thrissur District of Kerala State in Southern India. The nearest railway station and major town from the falls is at Chalakudi, 36 km away. The falls can be easily reached either by taxi or by buses from Chalakudy. Chalakudy is well connected with rest of the districts of the state and other states of the country by means of buses and trains. 

The waterfall can be visited at any months of the year but June to October offers the best views due to the large volume of water from monsoon rains flowing through.