Thirparappu | |
|---|---|
  Thirparappu Location in Tamil Nadu, India | |
| Coordinates:8°23′28″N77°15′34″E / 8.39111°N 77.25944°E /8.39111; 77.25944 | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| District | Kanyakumari |
| Population (2001) | |
• Total | 21,722 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Tamil |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
Thirparappu is a town located in theKanyakumari District in theIndian state ofTamil Nadu. It is a popular tourist destination. It is located 5.9 km (3.7 mi) from the nearby townArumanai, 6.9 km (4.3 mi) fromKulasekaram, 42 km (26 mi) fromNagercoil, headquarters of theKanyakumari District, and 55 km (34 mi) fromThiruvananthapuram, the capital of the Indian state ofKerala. It is famous for its falls on the Kodayar (Kothai) River and the Pechiparai Dam, located 13 km (8.1 mi) away.
Tirparappu Waterfalls are a 300 ft (91 m) long rocky riverbed, at a height of nearly 50 ft (15 m). The waterfall flows with great force for around seven months. The bed above the falls is a rocky mass extending up to a distance of about quarter of a kilometre upstream, with aweir constructed for supplying water to nearby paddy fields.
Near the falls is a fortified temple dedicated toShiva, called theMahadever Kovil. It is third of the twelveShivalayas, famous for theShivalaya Ottam during the Indian festival ofShivaratri. Devotees believe Mahadev lives here asVirabhadra, a fierce incarnation of Shiva to kill Daksha Prajapati, after the death Satidevi. There are many old inscriptions in this temple including the one of the Pandiya King dated ninth century. This temple is built around A.D. 9th century.[citation needed]
As of 2001[update] Indiacensus,[1] Thirparappu (Thriparappu) had a population of 21,722. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Thirparappu (Thriparappu) has an average literacy rate of 75%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 78%, and female literacy is 72%. In Thirparappu, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.