Catherine Falls, Double cascade waterfall in Kotagiri, India

Catherine Falls is a double-cascaded waterfall in Kotagiri, Nilgiris District, Tamil Nadu. The upper fall drops to the floor and is the second-highest in the Nilgiri Mountains; the combined height of both falls is about 76 metres. The Kallar River feeds the falls, and the water descends a dark rock face in a thin white ribbon, splitting into a faint double cascade mid-way before continuing as a single stream. The falls sit in a deep, V-shaped ravine flanked by steep, grass-covered slopes.

The name Catherine Falls is traditionally linked to Catherine Jane Cockburn, wife of M.D. Cockburn, credited with introducing coffee plantations to Kotagiri. However, the name St. Catherine's Falls was already recorded in 1852, while Catherine Jane Cockburn née Lascelles died in 1879, so the attribution is disputed.

The falls are known locally as Geddhehaada Halla, meaning "Foothills Dale River". The English name St. Catherine's Falls was already recorded in 1852, well before Catherine Jane Cockburn née Lascelles died in 1879, so the common claim that the falls honour M.D. Cockburn's wife is disputed.

The waterfall is best reached via the Mettupalayam road from Aravenu, which provides good access to the viewing areas and surrounding trails. You should watch your footing on wet rocks and steep paths, especially after rainfall when the ground becomes slippery and uneven.

The waterfall pair is especially visible from the Dolphin's Nose viewpoint, where both cascades can be seen together against the mountain backdrop. This vantage point reveals how the two stages work together and how the water masses flow over the terrain.