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 'The Fruit Garden falls' is the pampered kid of
Courtallam. Seeds and cuttings of different plants and trees that give exotic varieties of fruits can be got from here. Some of the fruits that grow here are ramdan,
mangoosten, egg fruit, dorian...... The main produce is clove, cardamom, jack fruit and mangoosten. These are exported not only to other parts of our country, but also to foreign countries. For those 'urbanites' who bathe under a 'shower' the experience of bathing in the falls will be something to cherish. When one puts one's head under the huge amount of water hurtling down the mountain, one does feel scared, but once one stands under the falls, it is nothing but bliss. With the advent of the season the masseurs are in great demand. One has to wait one's turn to get a massage, much like devotees waiting in Tirupathi for offering their hair. The feeling good, feeling happy state of mind after an 'oil bath' cannot be described in words - it has to be experienced!
 One can get rooms in government lodges at very reasonable rates. The
Tamil Nadu hotel charges less than Rs. 250. There are a number of government cottages near the main falls which are available for stay with families. Transport facilities - car, van, auto - are available round the clock. During the season, government-run buses are also available. When we ask the locals what more they want, their spontaneous outpourings put the waterfalls to shame! Their first problem is to do with the 'fruit garden' falls. The gist of the problem is the dispute between the local body and the forest department on who owns these falls. The never-ending quarrel has resulted in the approach road to the falls, being closed. The public have no access. VIPs and top
government officials have access to it. Anyone else desirous of visiting the falls has to get the permission of a senior official. The government authorities allege that the public spoil the falls and also damage these rare trees. Letters are flying back and forth, between the forest officials and the local body, say sources. In view of the dispute and other problems mentioned, the falls is temporarily closed, says a security official posted here.
 The local body emerged triumphant in the dispute on old
Courtallam. Having tasted success, the local body is going all out to wrest control of the fruit garden falls also. The public wish that the government. should intervene and find a solution since the fruit garden falls is one of the major attractions in
Courtallam. The second problem concerns the tourist 'guides'. All licenses for guides have been cancelled, since 1998. The police have ordered that no one can work as a guide. The police allege that the guides' aid and abet prostitution. The guides, while refuting this allegation strongly, acknowledge that prostitution was prevalent in certain areas, with police connivance. They want the government. to understand that this unilateral action (cancellation) affects everyone. "We got a number of complaints that these guides were harassing males who were travelling single, under the guise of providing them with 'pleasurable experiences'. To put an end to this menace we cancelled their licences. To enable the public to enjoy the falls, round the clock without any fear or reservation, we have put in place a number of security measures. We request the public not to believe any one approaching them as tourist guides," says a local police officer.
 The third problem concerns that of the several lodge owners. "The season lasts for a full three months - June, July, August, but the tariff in the government-owned cottages is
abruptly reduced by Aug. 15, even though the season (hence tourists) continues up to the end of the month. We are left with no choice but to reduce the rates, too. Our business is seasonal, for three months, in a year only. For nine months in the year, our lodges are empty, and we keep twiddling our thumbs. So the government should pay some attention to our welfare," says Shanmugam, owner of Vasantham lodge.
The Tourism Department. is
conspicuous by its absence! There are no proper tourist guides (books). There is no book on the rich heritage of the ancient
Courtallanathar temple. Despite these shortcomings, the moment one enters the falls everything is forgotten - problems are washed away! Problems are a plenty in our country. Let us forget them for a while and cherish this moment!
Courtallam is well connected, from any part of Tamil Nadu. This is an added incentive for people to go to
Courtallam during the season. Tourists can bathe, round the clock and enjoy themselves. The many vegetarian restaurants and the
'Courtallam specials' like the herbs and other stuff provide the opportunity to empty your wallets! Travel to
Courtallam and celebrate this wonderful season, courtesy Mother Nature, as you would other festivals like Deepavali and Pongal. Those city dwellers whose only experience (or idea) of a falls is standing under a sputtering and stopping shower should experience this gift of nature. It is pure joy!
Warning: Watch out for (y)our 'ancestors'!
Courtallam is full of them.
Click
here for more photos
(concluded)
Saravanan
Tr.Ellar
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