Agasthiyar Falls

Agasthiyar Falls, also called Papanasam Falls, lies in the Western Ghats near Papanasam in Tirunelveli district, about 42 km from Tirunelveli city, on the Tamiraparani river. Legend says the sage Agastya, unable to see the crowded wedding of Shiva and Parvati at Kailash, prayed here and was granted a vision of Shiva in his wedding dress; Shiva stayed on as Papanasanathar and the falls took the sage's name.

Devotees bathe in the falls before going on to worship at the Papanasanathar Temple, and a small shrine to Agasthiyar stands close by. Pilgrims bound for Sabarimala also stop here in November and December. Because its water comes from a dam, locals call it the 365-day falls, though it is closed when heavy north-east monsoon rains cause flooding. The area is close to the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, and tigers and panthers are spotted on the route to Papanasam. The district administration also organises the Chittirai Vishnu festival each Tamil New Year.