Aqua Ecstasy at Soochipara Falls in Wayanad Kerala
One more of my unique bathing experiences. This happened a couple of years back when I visited the Soochipara falls Wayanad. It is among the famous waterfalls of Kerala.
I actually set off for the falls with serious intentions of taking some stunning shots of the fall, to try out various camera settings and get that silky water effect. One doesn’t get the opportunity of visiting waterfalls regularly!
Before I set off on the mission, tutorials were theoretically covered, minute details and tips memorized; the main point to be kept in mind is slow shutter speed.
Camera Settings for Waterfalls Photography
Armed with wide angle zoom lens, polarizing filter and yes the most important of all the tripod, I was there in the post noon hours of one summer day. I reached the falls sweating in the sweltering heat.
Lighting was too bright, the polarizing filter should eliminate reflections of water and reduce the light entering my lens I thought. For once I wished it was an overcast day as the best diffused light occurs then, and it helps bring out details in the shadows and amplifies the contrasts.
Soochipara Waterfalls Wayanad
And then, as I started looking for the best position to place the tripod to shoot the water falls at an angle, I felt different. It was as if the waterfalls had grabbed my heart, it had cast its magical spell on me. The falling waters was beckoning me to align myself with it. I found myself resting my equipment at a safe spot and heading towards the fall. Such was the power!
As I drenched myself deliberately, it felt awesome, the mind was experiencing a real alive is awesome moment! The cool waters of the fall was washing way the tiredness of body and soul. Mind was pleading with time to stand still, here and now. It was pure aqua ecstasy!
Often life takes you by surprise, you set out on a mission but end up doing something else. When you look back you have no regrets of not doing what you actually intended to do, instead you wish you could relive the moment again and this surely was one such moment in my life!
Soochipara Falls Wayanad Kerala
The other name for Soochipara waterfalls is Sentinel Rock Waterfalls. The name Soochipara translates to needle rock – Soochi meaning needle and para meaning rock in Malayalam. No clue how this beautiful waterfall got this unique name. One reason could be: since the rocks present here are in the form of a needle and they look like sentinels guarding the place.
It is a is a three-tiered waterfall in a small hill called Vellarimala. Water from the falls join the Chaliyar River, the 4th longest river of Kerala. While the 2 km trek down was smooth the uphill climb back tired us adults a lot but not the kids.
Best Time to Visit Soochipara Falls
Ideal season to visit the falls would be summer. During rains the place around is quite slippery.
Rules to Visit Soochipara Falls
Some eco friendly measures are taken by the tourism authorities there to prevent littering and garbage there and to preserve the pristine beauty of the place.
Tourists carrying plastic bags and water bottles have to make a security deposit of 50 INR at the entry point and they will be given a tag. On their return the tag needs to be shown and the money is refunded. This is to ensure they do not leave plastic waste behind near the waterfalls.
They are strict about No Alcohols to be consumed within the surroundings of the falls.
Things to Do Wayanad
Visit to Soochipara Falls ranks high in list of things to do in Wayanad. You can read about other interesting places to visit in Wayanad here: Wonderful Weekend at Wayanad
Yeah, Waynad is a beautiful place. Had been there for few hikes and loved it. BTW, beautiful waterfalls!
Even sometime the pictures may go erased but the wonder feeling and memories last forever. Hope u content with what u experienced.
Great post and waterfall photos, Indrani! My hubby would be in the water enjoying the falls. Thanks for sharing, have a great day!
with you on this thought for sure .. nature has this thing of surprising us always .. that is a beautiful photograph.. I went to wales with the sole reason of taking pics of the fabulous welsh country side and did not take many for most of the time I was sitting there on the mountain top admiring the beautify around me ..
Bikram's
Lovely!
We missed pictures since it was raining and we had to leave the camera behind. But we enjoyed the falls! it was indeed blissful.
Very cool. I love that second shot.
What fabulous shots!
I've often been tempted to get under a waterfall, but I have resisted so far. One of these days . . .
That's the dilemma I face quite often, a conflict between attempting to capture the moment and the desire to actually live in the moment. 🙂
Thank you for sharing this moment with me so that I could share in it.
Hugs
SueAnn
Very good photo's Indrani
I do love waterfalls and visiting them is always a wonderful experience and they never fail to take my breath away! I keep those memories tucked away in my mind to call on when times are not so good! Lovely captures/post as always, Indrani!
that last shot is beautiful. calming.
I find water falls always very impressive !
First visit to your blog very nice post . The time when knock on my blog.
Wonderful post about becoming one with the water!
I would have done something similiar. Especially getting in close and refreshed by the falls spray.
Terrific experience!
wow
Beautiful waterfall and beautiful pictures. Love your post.
Gigantisch und fantastisch liebe Indrani…
GrĂĽsse aus der Schweiz
Hans-Peter
Very Nice..!