PALAKKAD: It took just a few evocative lines from Virender Sehwag, the Nawab of Najafgarh, to connect one of India’s greatest cricketers with one of Kerala’s best-kept natural secrets.
Wishing Mahendra Singh Dhoni on his birthday on Tuesday, the former India opener likened the World Cup-winning captain to the secluded Dhoni Waterfalls tucked away in the reserve forests of Palakkad.
“From the top, it looks completely calm. But beneath lies immense power. The surface is smooth, but when you get close, you realise how powerful it really is,” Sehwag wrote on Instagram posting a few photographs with Dhoni. Referring to a caution displayed by the forest department that read, “The water looks calm. It isn’t,” he added with characteristic wit: “I don’t know whether that warning was written for the waterfall or for No. 7 (Dhoni’s jersey number).”
Sehwag also noted that the waterfall had been named ‘Dhoni’ long before the cricketer was born, suggesting that nature itself seemed to have anticipated the arrival of someone who would embody the same features.
Sehwag’s tribute has not only resonated with cricket lovers but has also turned the national spotlight on a picturesque corner of Palakkad that remains off the mainstream tourist map. Many commented below the post praising Sehwag’s note about ‘Mahi’, and went on to say that both Dhonis reveal their true character only to those willing to take the long road to discover them.
Located around 12-15 km from Palakkad town, Dhoni is one of Kerala’s most pristine eco-tourism destinations. Nestled within a reserve forest on the foothills of the Western Ghats, the waterfall can only be reached after a guided trek of nearly three hours through dense forests, teak plantations and rocky trails. Entry is regulated by the forest department, and visitors are accompanied by trained guides.
The nearest airport is Coimbatore, about 55-60 km from Palakkad, making Dhoni easily accessible for domestic and international travellers arriving in southern India. Palakkad Jn is the nearest major railway station.
The trek itself is considered the biggest attraction. Winding through lush evergreen forests alive with birdsong and mountain streams, the route offers opportunities for bird watching, nature photography and, on occasion, sightings of wildlife including elephants, deer and others. The reward at the end is a crystal-clear waterfall cascading into a natural pool amid unspoilt wilderness.
The best time to visit is around September, immediately after the monsoon season in Kerala.
