Kolli Hills or Kolli Malai is a mountain range in central Tamil Nadu and is a part of the Eastern Ghats. It is known for its lush green vegetation and spice gardens. Kolli Hills is located at a height of 1,300m above sea level. The road to Kolli Hills is no less interesting with 70 hairpin bends within a stretch of 30km, making a bend on an average of 400m. But the star attraction of the area is the Agaya Gangai Waterfalls — literally meaning ‘the Ganges of the sky’.
The waterfall is part of the Aiyaru River. It is a sheer drop of 300 feet along the rocky vertical cliff and is located deep inside the forest giving an enchanting feeling. The waterfall is approachable by a steep downhill trek through a meandering staircase. There are about 1,300 steps leading to the base of the waterfall. Although it is a long walk, the steps have a gentle gradient and there are railings all the way.
Food stalls on the way to Agaya Gangai Waterfalls
There are benches at frequent intervals providing short breaks to catch your breath. Moreover, there are shops selling tea and coffee along with buttermilk. But the must-try items are the herbal soups flavoured with herbs of the Kolli Hills.
Approaching the Agaya Gangai Waterfalls through the boulder zone
About 20 metres before the falls, the paved staircase gives way to a boulder-strewn path. It is a difficult walk through uneven boulders of every possible shape and size, but luckily the path is short and even before the waterfall is visible, its thundering roar can be heard.
The Agaya Gangai falls
The rocky path ends before a shallow pool and across it is the thundering waters of the Agaya Gangai falls, which literally seem to descend from the sky. The sound is simply deafening and the spray of water from cascading falls travel all across the pool — enough to drench the visitors. The brave ones can wade across the pool of water and reach the base of the waterfall for a bath of a lifetime.
There is an iron chain tied across the pool providing access, although not an easy one, to the base of the falls.
Puliancholai watch tower at Kolli Hills
After bidding farewell to the Agaya Gangai falls, it is time to explore the lush green Kolli Hills. A nearby watchtower at Puliancholai offers a panoramic view of the lush green hills. No trip to the Kolli Hills is complete without a visit to the spice market to stock your black pepper and star anise. Even if you don’t purchase, do visit the market for its vibrant feel.
A quick guide to reach Agaya Gangai Waterfalls:
Spices of Kolli Hills
- Kolli Hills is best reached from Salem (90km), Tiruchirappalli (127km) and Erode (120km)
- Although a day trip is possible from three locations, it is best to spend a night in Kolli Hills. There are several staying options
- The falls remains open from 7am – 3pm. There is an entry fee of ₹10
- The water level varies from season to season. The article is from a visit during late September