Courtallam often called the Spa of the South is a Panchayat town on the Western Ghats in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. This town is the birthplace of the Chittar River, the Manimuthar River, the Pachaiyar river and the Tambaraparani River .This town is well connected by railways and the nearest railway station is Tenkasi .The nearest airport to Courtallam is the Tuticorin airport.
According to the 2001 Indian census Courtalam has a population of 2368 where the males constitute 41% and the females 59% of the population. The literacy rate of this Spa town is 75%, which is quite high than the average literacy rate of 59.5%The male literacy rate is 78% and the female literacy rate is 74%. In Courtalam, 7% of the population is under 6 years of age.
One of the prime places of interest in the town are the nine falls. The falls are located 160 kilometers from Madurai and 59 kilometers from Tirunelveli at an elevation of about 167 meters on the Western Ghat in Tirunelveli District.The Peraruvi (main falls)is near Kutralanathar temple.The Chitraruvi (Small falls)is just above the main falls.The Shenbagadevi falls is one mile from the Main Falls.Thenaruvi (Honey Falls)is famous for its honey. Then is the Aintharuvi (Five Falls) and the Pazhathotta Aruvi (Fruit Garden Falls or Orchid Falls).
The Puli Aruvi (Tiger Falls ) is far from the main Falls. Pazhaya Courtallam (Old Falls) are not too popular, and are about 4 miles from the Main Falls.The falls which look like white milk is the Puthu Aruvi (New Falls) or Palaruvi (Milk Falls).Famous for its waterfalls ,the This place is also famous as an health resort.Courtallam water has medicinal properties and therapeutic qualities to cure physical ailments. From June to September every year thousands of tourists from near and far visit this place. The waters of the falls are believed to have medicinal properties because they run through forests of herbs before their descent. Tourists who visit and bathe in the waters claim that the water has a soothing effect, help the old feel young and the sick heal rapidly.
Courtallam is also renowned for its temples There is a Hindu temple in Courtallam dedicated to Lord (Siva). This temple has inscriptions of Chola and Pandya kings. Chitra Sabha, is a small temple decorated with rural deities.
