Courtallam is a panchayat town situated at a mean elevation of 160 m (520 ft) in the foothills of the Western Ghats in Tenkasi district of Tamil Nadu, India. The Coutrallam Falls on the Chittar River is a major tourist attraction.

Courtallam
Coutrallam
Town
Main waterfalls
Main waterfalls
Courtallam is located in Tamil Nadu
Courtallam
Courtallam
Location in Tamil Nadu, India
Coordinates: 8°56′03″N 77°16′40″E / 8.9342°N 77.2778°E / 8.9342; 77.2778
Country India
StateTamil Nadu
DistrictTenkasi
TalukTenkasi
Government
 • TypeTown Panchayat
Elevation
167.64 m (550.00 ft)
Population
 (2001)
 • Total2,368
Languages
 • OfficialTamil
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
Telephone code04633
Vehicle registrationTN 76
Websitehttps://tenkasi.nic.in/tourist-place/coutrallam/

Demographics edit

As of 2001 India census,[1] Courtallam had a population of 2,368. Males constitute 41% of the population and females 59%. Courtallam has an average literacy rate of 75%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 78% and, female literacy is 74%. 7% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Location edit

Located in the Western Ghats, Courtallam is part of the Agasthiamalai range, the mountain bearing the name of sage Agastya who is believed to have lived in the area.[2] The closest town to Courtallam is Tenkasi at 5 km (3.1 mi). The closest airports are Tuticorin Airport (91 km away )and Trivandrum International Airport (122 km away). The nearest railway station is at Tenkasi, 5 km (3.1 mi) away.

Climate edit

Climate data for Courtallam, Tamil Nadu
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 29.0
(84.2)
30.5
(86.9)
32.1
(89.8)
32.4
(90.3)
32.5
(90.5)
30.7
(87.3)
29.9
(85.8)
30.0
(86.0)
30.6
(87.1)
29.9
(85.8)
28.6
(83.5)
28.5
(83.3)
30.4
(86.7)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 20.9
(69.6)
21.5
(70.7)
23.0
(73.4)
24.1
(75.4)
24.7
(76.5)
23.8
(74.8)
23.4
(74.1)
23.4
(74.1)
23.2
(73.8)
22.9
(73.2)
22.1
(71.8)
21.2
(70.2)
22.8
(73.1)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 41
(1.6)
36
(1.4)
66
(2.6)
107
(4.2)
95
(3.7)
152
(6.0)
138
(5.4)
71
(2.8)
76
(3.0)
224
(8.8)
216
(8.5)
97
(3.8)
1,319
(51.8)
Source: Climate-Data.org[3]


Places of Interest edit

 
The waterfall at Courtallum, and the Kuttalanatha shrine, bef. 1804 by Thomas Daniell

Courtallam Falls is located near the town.

The Kutralanatha swamy temple is the location of Chitra Sabha, one of the five sabhas of Nataraja, a form of Lord Shiva. Pancha Sabhai Sthalangal refers to the temples of Nataraja, a form of the Hindu god Shiva where he performed the Cosmic Dance Tandava. The temple at the foot of the hill is conch-shaped which has special significance in Hindu tradition.[2][4] Tamil poet Thirukudarasappa Kavirayar sang about the beauty of this place in his "Kutraala Kuravanji". Kurumpalaveesar, sung in Tevaram was done by Sambandar. It is one of the shrines of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams.

In popular culture edit

Owing to its natural setting, Courtallam has featured in many films.

References edit

  1. ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
  2. ^ a b The cascades of Courtallam Frontline Magazine, pg 60, 15-28 September 1990
  3. ^ "CLIMATE: COURTALLAM, Tamil Nadu", Climate-Data.org. Web: [1].
  4. ^ Thiru Courtallanathar Thirukovil Archived 9 September 2013 at the Wayback Machine Sri Courtralanathaswami Temple
  5. ^ "Aravaan had to be visually stunning". Rediff.com. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  6. ^ "Sameera injured during Vettai shoot". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 8 September 2011. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  7. ^ "Prabhas's Mirchi shooting in Kutralam". Chitramala. Archived from the original on 10 November 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  8. ^ "Mirchi shooting at Kutralam". Supergoodmovies. Archived from the original on 9 November 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  9. ^ "SVSC to shoot in Kutralam, TN, from Feb. 6". IndiaGlitz. Archived from the original on 2 February 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  10. ^ "SVSC in Kutralam". Maa Stars. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  11. ^ "Venkatesh, Mahesh's SVSC Kutralam schedule wrapped". Way2movies. Archived from the original on 7 March 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  12. ^ Sharanya CR (22 February 2014). "Reality check for Nandita". The Times of India. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  13. ^ "'Etharkkum Thunindhavan' team heads to Coutralam for the final schedule". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 14 September 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2021.