Asambu Hills: Locals call it the place off the map

Asambu Hill is a reserve forest situated near Azhagiapandipuram village in Kanyakumari District. It is one of the rarely explored hills in Tamil Nadu. The only way to reach the hill is by foot. There is small temple situated on the top of the hill, named Asambu sastha temple. On the midway of the hill, there is a place called Thanthottam where you can see lots of flowers along the grasslands. There is also a private estate on the top of the hill called Victoria Estate. 

There is a waterfall situated along the trail to asambu hill named Ulakkai Aruvi. It is a natural waterfall situated near the Perunthalaikadu Village. Perunthalaikadu is the base for this hill. To reach the falls, you have to trek for about 3 Kms inside the forest. Have to climb the rocky steps to reach Ulakkai Aruvi.

Water will be available in this waterfall even in the summer season. Many tourists come here for bathing and to enjoy the nature. The pathway to this waterfall lies in the Reserve Forest. Ulakkai Aruvi is a beautiful fall on Pazhayar, close to its origin. It is so named as it resembles a wooden utensil in the shape of the hourglass.

Ulakkai Aruvi 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. When the falls is viewed from a distance it resembles a pestle which in the Tamil language is called "Ulakkai", hence the name. The hour's trek from the base of the hills is through rocky, forested area, which is thrilling in itself. (On a clear day, one can view the waterfalls from the base of the hills through naked eye, or even better through binoculars/zoom lens).

Ulakkai Aruvi

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.

The lower portion of the waterfalls and the spot one reaches after the trek. This is a good picnic spot. The view from this spot of the greenery below the hills is exhilarating. Good to have a bath and relax for an hour. The water here is cool even during the hot months, though the water flow is less during the summer months.

Thanthottam

To reach the Higher falls, one needs to climb about 200 meters uphill (recommended only for healthy people who can climb and swim).

Ulakkai Aruvi Falls is definitely a place to go if you are a naturalist or a person looking for a natural attraction. It is one of the many waterfalls that are situated in the southern tip of India. According to the old legends, Ulakkai Aruvi  Falls has the rejuvenating power of the old people. Thus many people come to Ulakkai Aruvi Falls to feel rejuvenated.

Connectivity:

By Air: Trivandrum International Airport (Kerala)

By Train: Nagercoil (Tamilnadu)

By Road: Regular Buses are available from Nagercoil & Kanyakumari

BUS Route: Kanyakumari - Nagercoil – Puthery - Thittuvilai - Azhakiyapandiapuram --Perunthalaikadu.

Note: The road network is available till Perunthalaikadu village. From Perunthalaikadu, you have to trek for about 3 Kms inside the forest to reach the falls. Have to climb the rocky steps to reach Ulakkai Aruvi.