Mundanthurai Tiger Sanctuary
Mundanthurai is in the mountains near the border with Kerla. The closest
railway station is at ambasamundram, about 25 km to the north-east, and buses
run from here to Papanasam, the nearest village, from where you can catch
another bus to the Forest Department rest house.
As the name implies, this is principally a tiger sanctuary though it's also
noted for chital, sambar and the rare lion-tailed macaque. The best time to
visit is between January and March, though it is open any time of the year. The
main rainy season is between October and December. Tiger sightings are extremely
infrequent and in addition the Forest Rest House is very basic.
Kuttralam ( Courtallam)
About 135 km north-west of Kanyakumari at the base of the Western Ghats, the
village of Kuttralam is a popular 'health retreat' for Indian families who come
to stand and wash under waterfalls believed to be rich in minerals and capable
of curing almost anything. Of the nine waterfalls, the only one in the village
itself is the 60 m high Main Falls, a sheer rock face is carved with old Hindu
insignia that is visible only during the dry months of January and February.
Other falls, mostly accessed by shuttle buses, are up to eight km away.
Nagercoil
20 km away from Kanyakumari has the famous Nagaraja temple, Nagaraja is the
presiding deity and the images of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu are also enshrined
here. The entrance to the temple resembles Chinese architecture of Budha Viharas
and the temple contains images of Mahavir and Paraswanatha, the Jain
Tirthnkaras.
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