The Old Weir At Thumboormuzhi And The Hanging Bridge
Walking across the swaying bridge from Thumboormuzhi to Ezhattumugham, with the weir spilling below.
The weir at Thumboormuzhi was built long ago to divert water for irrigation. Today it is the backdrop for one of the most photographed walks in the Athirappilly area — the hanging bridge across the river.
The bridge sways gently as you walk, enough to make children laugh and some adults hold the rails tight. From the middle you see the weir on one side and the river breaking into channels towards Ezhattumugham on the other.
In September and October water pours over the full length of the weir. In summer it becomes a thin curtain, and you can see the rocks underneath.
A riverside garden, butterfly park and old weir on the Chalakudy river, the first stop on the road to Athirappilly.
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Lawns, river views and shade under old trees — why Thumboormuzhi is worth twenty minutes before the big falls.
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An hour at the Thumboormuzhi Butterfly Garden on the way to Athirappilly, a small and shaded park full of flowering plants and colourful butterflies.
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Waking up to the sound of the Chalakudy river at a family-run homestay close to Thumboormuzhi.
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Budget hotels, plantation stays and resorts around Vettilappara — what each kind of stay is good for.
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Two slow days by the Chalakudy river — river-view rooms, a pool and evening walks to the rapids.
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How we picked a resort close to Charpa Falls — and what to check before you book.
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Athirappilly is one of the most beautiful destinations in Thrissur, known for its lush greenery, forests and magnificent waterfalls.
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A simple Kerala lunch at a small roadside eatery on the Athirappilly road — nothing fancy, all homely.
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A long riverside lunch near Ezhattumugham — pearl spot fry, kappa and a view of the rapids.
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A simple Kerala lunch at a small local hotel in Vettilappara on the way back from Athirappilly, with rice and homely curries served the nadan way.
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No trek, no ticket — just pull over and feel the spray of Charpa Falls between Athirappilly and Vazhachal.
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Charpa Falls crashes down right beside the road near Athirappilly. Memories of a monsoon trip in July, when the waterfall is at its fullest and loudest.
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A day trip to Athirappilly Waterfalls in Thrissur, with the roar of the Chalakudy River, the cool shade of the rainforest and Kerala's biggest falls.
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The forest around Charpa is part of the Vazhachal forest division — keep your eyes on the canopy.
