Katary Falls, Waterfall in Tamil Nadu, India

Katary Falls is a two-tiered waterfall in Tamil Nadu, India, where water drops over rock faces and collects in a natural pool at the base. The falls sit inside forested hill terrain and can be reached on foot from the main road.

This site hosted India's first hydroelectric power project, which used the natural flow of the water here to generate electricity in the mountains. That early role in power generation gave the location a place in the industrial history of the country.

The falls are close to Adikaratti village, and the people living in the surrounding hills treat this spot as a natural landmark that belongs to their everyday world. Local visitors often come on foot along paths they have known since childhood.

Reaching the falls requires a walk through forest terrain, so solid footwear is a good idea before setting out. The water flow is strongest after the monsoon season, which makes that period the most rewarding time for a visit.

The Kateri hydroelectric system at the falls was India's first hydel power plant, built to use the drop of about 55 metres. The site is roughly 10 km from Coonoor in the Nilgiris district, and the falls rank third in height among the waterfalls of the Nilgiris.