Kerala's largest waterfall, set at the entrance to the Sholayar forest reserve about 60 km east of Thrissur on the Chalakudy River. The falls drop 24 metres in a broad curtain over a basalt escarpment, framed by thick rainforest on either side. After the monsoon (August-September) the flow is at its most powerful and the mist drenches the viewing platforms; in the dry season (January-April) the falls are more photogenic, with the rock formation visible beneath the water.
The viewpoints are an easy 10-minute walk from the car park. The surrounding Vazhachal forest division, which encompasses Athirappilly and the adjacent Vazhachal Falls 5 km upstream, is a protected area with elephant corridors — you may see wildlife en route. The falls are best visited on a weekday morning to avoid the weekend crowds from Thrissur and Kochi.