Vinod and I aren’t big fans of attending social gatherings like weddings or birthday parties. However, we do make exceptions for the weddings of friends with whom we share a connection through nature. On one particularly hot and humid day, we attended the wedding of a friend and had the pleasure of reconnecting with many like-minded people. While it was enjoyable to catch up after such a long time, the oppressive heat and the crowded environment were a bit overwhelming for us and our little one. So, we decided to escape to a nearby forested area, and Vinod settled on Thenmalai. Despite being close to my father’s native place, this destination had been on our list for quite some time.
We set off early in the morning with some vadai and idly in hand, heading towards the hills. As we drove, we watched clouds drift around the hills, while the sky remained bright and blue on the Tamil Nadu side. The moment we crossed into Kerala, small raindrops began to fall, which made us laugh at the sudden change in weather. Soon after, we got stuck in a long line of trucks carrying sand and rocks from Tamil Nadu to Kerala. After a 15-minute wait, the traffic finally moved, and we began the drive through the hairpin bends. Rubber estates started to appear, surrounded by secondary growth forests. When we arrived at Palaruvi Waterfalls, we were among the first cars in the parking area.
The forest employees were just arriving at the ticket counter, and there was quite a bit of commotion. Most of the employees were women, and payment for the tickets was only accepted via Gpay or card. Unfortunately, our mobile phones had no signal, leading to some confusion before we were finally able to pay with a card. We had hoped to take the 4-kilometer walk to the waterfalls, but the Kerala Forest Department provided buses for the journey, so we boarded one and enjoyed the short drive. Along the way, I admired the Rhynchoglossum notonianum in full bloom on the wet rocks and the Globba sessiliflora lining the roadsides. Small streams meandering through the forest added to the area’s charm. At one point, the bus started making a rumbling sound, prompting the driver to stop for a few minutes, giving us a chance to fully appreciate the surroundings. We soon arrived at the spot, followed by a short hike to reach the waterfalls. Epithema carnosum was in full bloom. That was the first time we were seeing that flower, so it was nice to see them in bloom on every corner. The sky was dark due to the overcast weather and the towering trees in the forest.
Since the other tourists hadn’t yet arrived, we had the place to ourselves for a good 10 minutes. As we walked along the stairs, we spotted a few mushrooms and flowers. A Malabar Whistling Thrush was singing cheerfully nearby, adding to the peaceful ambiance. The waterfalls looked serene, and bathing directly under them was prohibited; instead, visitors were directed to a separate path leading to a small pool for bathing. To fully appreciate the view, one could climb the stairs and reach a small platform that offered a beautiful vantage point of the waterfalls. As usual, we took our time checking for flowers near the rocks and found a few solitary Impatiens blooming there.
We could sense that the rain was about to start, but we couldn’t bring ourselves to leave. Hundreds of Indian swiftlets were circling the sky, and soon the rain began to fall. We were glad we didn’t leave—everything looked even more serene with the rain pouring down, enhancing the beauty of the waterfalls and the forest. Our little one enjoyed the rain as much as we did, so we simply stood there, soaking in the moment as the rain gently seeped through the forest. The mosses and lichens on the nearby rocks looked even more beautiful in the rain, so Vinod went for a closer look. He noticed many ladybugs on a rock, so I joined him to see them up close. That’s when I spotted something truly unique—a lichen seemed to be moving on the rock, performing a knock-knock behavior. I realized it must be a moth caterpillar camouflaged with lichen, but I still couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Its wriggly movement was so unusual that I recorded a video and showed it to Vinod. He was equally thrilled to see this incredible camouflage in action. It’s moments like these that make each trip so uniquely special. The rain continued to fall steadily, and although we hadn’t planned to bathe in the waterfalls, I felt the urge to enjoy the rain. So, while Vinod covered our little one with an umbrella, I walked in the rain. It was a short but refreshing walk before we boarded the bus to return to the parking area.
On the bus, they were playing 90s Tamil songs, and I couldn’t help but wonder why Keralites enjoy listening to Tamil songs so much when their own music is even more melodious. Vinod and I aren’t fans of 80s and 90s Tamil songs, but it seems like we can’t escape them—whether it’s at a neighbor’s house, a temple, or a wedding, those songs are always playing. Even when we travel to another state, we still hear them everywhere. It can be really frustrating!
We had our breakfast in the car and then continued our drive through Thenmalai. As we passed the famous Aaryankavu Railway Over Bridge, we were surprised to see people gathered there, taking pictures. It’s fascinating how social media is influencing people’s behavior. We were eagerly searching for blooming epiphytic orchids, but unfortunately, we didn’t find any. Although many orchid plants adorned the trees along the roadside, none were in bloom. Despite that, the weather was perfect, and the sight of small houses covered in plants was lovely to see. We enjoyed the drive, crossing the dam and passing by the deer rehabilitation center. However, since our little one was sound asleep, we didn’t stop anywhere and decided to head back to our village. It’s no surprise that most of the vehicles coming to Thenmalai have TN registration plates—everyone is looking to escape the scorching sun. Though it was a short trip, it was a refreshing break from the intense heat.