Athirapally Falls, locally known as [ɐd̪iɾɐpːiɭːi] in Malayalam, lies on the border between Kuttampuzha Panchayat in Aluva Taluk (Ernakulam District) and Athirapilly Panchayat in Chalakudy Taluk (Thrissur District) of Kerala, India. The waterfall is formed by the Chalakudy River, which flows down from the upper reaches of the Western Ghats near the Sholayar ranges. Rising to a height of 81.5 feet, Athirapally is the largest waterfall in Kerala and is famously called “The Niagara of South India.” Nearby, Vazhachal Falls offers another stunning sight, set against the backdrop of lush forests rich in endangered and endemic species of flora and fauna. Since the 1990s, Athirapally has been at the center of a long-standing controversy over a proposed hydroelectric dam project on the Chalakudy River, with debates persisting well into 2017.