India the country blessed with all types of beauty like nature,location, places,culture,unity and many undefinable words. The words are not enough to describe the pride and honor of the non-violent land India. The country has abundant nature beauty and historic myths and has developed equally to compete the modern world. Being developed in all fields the country has not stepped back from the popularity of tourists spots too!!!
We humans spend time in modern world and busy with our work amidst in tall buildings and materialism forget to look the nature beauty gifted by God. The agricultural land India has many such natural views which we should never miss to visit it and experience the purity offered by the nature. The peace and felicity we gain through these natural sights is really incomparable and priceless....
One of such beautiful natural spot in India i would like to present is the stunning cascades of the state of Karnataka. The convergence of Eastern and Western ghats makes the sensational Nilgiri hill complex along the western part of the Deccan Peninsula region of India. Karnataka is situated in the Deccan Plateau and is bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west, Goa to the northwest, Maharashtra to the north, Andhra Pradesh to the east, Tamil Nadu to the east and southeast, and Kerala to the southwest. It is situated at the angle where the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats of South India converge into the Nilgiri hills. The highest point in Karnataka is the Mullayanagiri hill in Chikkamagaluru district which has an altitude of 1,929 metres (6,329 ft) above sea level
The list of cascades seen in Karnataka are
- Abbey Falls
- Arisina Guindi Falls
- Barkana Falls
- Benne Hole Falls
- Chunchanakatte Falls
- Devaragundi Falls
- Dabbe Falls
- Godchinamalaki Falls
- Gokak Falls
- Hebbe Falls
- Irupu Falls
- Jaladurga
- Jog Falls
- Kunchikal Falls
- Kalahattagiri Falls
- Lushington Falls
- Magod Falls
- Mekedaatu
- Muthyalamaduvu
- Sathodi Falls
- Shivanasamudra Falls
- Shivganga falls
- Varapoha Falls
- Unchalli and Burude Falls
and many more falls are seen in the locals of Karnataka.
The sites such as
www.bharatonline.com
www.indianholiday.com
www.godakshin.com
www.dreamroutes.com
www.karnataka.com gives ample details of the location and distinctiveness of the falls. The location is extremely beautiful and sensatioanal.
The breif details from these sites of the falls is followed below
Abbey Falls
| Location: | Kodagu (Coorg) district |
| Best Tine to Visit: | Monsoon season |
| How to Reach: | Madikeri town, district headquarters of Coorg, is 9 km away. |
Located at a distance of 9km from the town of Madikeri, the Abbey falls produces a spectacular sight of cascading water. Nestled amidst private coffee plantations, the Abbey Falls provide a striking contrast to the sylvan surroundings of Coorg. A narrow road winding through the green and dense foliage of surrounding coffee plantations leads to Abbey Falls.
The gushing waters of the Abbey falls, tumbling down a rocky ravine, results in a deafening sound that can be heard from a distance. During the monsoon season, the Abbey swells with abundant seasonal rains with water plunging down the mountain slope at enormous speed. The scenic locales around the Abbe falls make for an ideal picnic destination.
Iruppu Falls
| Location: | Kodagu (Coorg) district |
| Best Tine to Visit: | Monsoon season |
| How to Reach: | Nearest railway station is Mysore (120 km). |
Located beside the Nagarhole National Park, the Iruppu falls presents a majestic sight with water cascading down from a height of 170ft. Originating in the lofty Brahmagiri peaks; the falls become a part of the Lakshmana Teertha River in the plains. During the monsoons, the Iruppu falls swell with seasonal rainfall.
The roaring waters of the Iruppu coupled with the picturesque surroundings make it a great picnic spot. The Rameshwara Temple, located nearby the falls, attracts a large congregation of devout pilgrims during the festival of Shivaratri. Natives believe that the Iruppu falls possesses magical powers and they purge one of one's sins. On the day of Shivaratri, devotees bathe in these falls to clean their sins.
Jog Falls
| Location: | Shimoga district |
| Best Time to Visit: | August-December |
| How to Reach: | Connected by road to Sagar (45 km), Honnavar (56 km) and Shimoga town (105 km). Shimoga is the nearest railhead. |
The grandest among Karnataka waterfalls, Jog falls is created by the Sharavati River tumbling down from a height of 829ft. (253m) in four distinct cascades - known locally as Raja, Rani, Roarer, and Rocket. Regarded the highest waterfall in Asia, Jog falls is one of the major tourist attractions in Karnataka.
During the monsoon season, the four streams of Jog make a spectacular drop with a deafening noise. The four different tracks of river Sharavati have been named in accordance with their trajectories.
Raja has been named so because of its dignified and serene trajectory. The Roarer stream derives its name from the tremendous amount of noise it creates while falling down. The cascade Rocket consists of a large volume of water streaming out of a small opening at a furious speed. The winding, twisting trajectory of Rani bears a resemblance to the movements of a female dancer.
(Artistic view of Jog Falls)
This is the place where the river Sharavati falls from a height of 292m forming a glorious waterfall. The river forms four different tracks which are named 'Raja', 'Rani', 'Roarer' and 'Rocket' which are named aptly by the majesty they display.
This place can be reached from sagar (30+kms), siddapur(21kms) or honnavar (60 kms). When you are coming from Siddapura take a right turn at a place called "Mavinagundi" which is few kms before jog. (You wont get this place if you are coming from sagar). And there are a few places where you can stay overnight. These places are run by KSTDC.
When the water is less you can actually walk down to the bottom of the water fall, but be careful, that broken Beer bottle might hurt you.
Shivasamudram Falls
| Location: | Mandya district |
| Best Time to Visit: | Monsoon season (July to October) |
| How to Reach: | Connected by bus to Mandya town (60 km) and Mysore (65 km). Nearest railway station is Maddur (40 km). |
The Shivasamudram falls is a segmented waterfall since the river Cauvery branches into two separate falls - the western falls known as Gaganachukki and the eastern falls, Bharachukki. Shivasamudram falls is the second biggest waterfall in India and the sixteenth largest in the world.
Gaganachukki on the left is a large horsetail waterfall and Bharachukki on the right is a jagged crashing cascading waterfall. With the onset of the monsoon season, the Sivasamudram waterfall runs amok with enormous energy and the Cauvery River tumbles headlong in a wonderful cascade, sending up dense clouds of mist.
In 1902, on the left waterfall, the Gaganachukki, the first hydro-electric power station of Karnataka was constructed by Sheshadri Ayyar, a dewan of Mysore. This is regarded the first hydro power station in Asia and from here power was supplied to Bangalore -- the first city to get power in India - in 1906.
Muthyala Maduvu - Valley of Pearls
44 Kms away from Bangalore is Muthyala Maduvu. It is known for its verdant surroundings and a small but beautiful water fall. The place is also commonly known as the Pearl Valley. This is a favorite picnic spot. However you'll have to pick the right season to go there as the waterfall is full just before and during the rainy season in Bangalore.
The highlight of this place is a 300 feet waterfall. Lot of greenery and trees makes this a good picnic spot as well. There is a small pond / reservoir that is at the valley where you can camp or play in the water. There is a Traveler's Bungalow 6 kms from Anekal Town on the Hosur Road. For reservations contact Block Development Officer, Anekal.
The best time to visit this place is from May until October when the waterfall is full at its best. One has to be careful during the rainy months between July and September.
How to reach: Take the Bannerghatta road until Anekal. Head right from Anekal for about 8-10 Kms until you reach Pearl Valley. Best time to go would be in the morning as it will be less crowded.
What to do: If you're a nature lover, you can enjoy the quiet sereneness and the might of the hills and just relax. You could also picnic by the water with friends or family.
Unchalli Falls
This place in thickets of the Sahyadri hills of the Western Ghats is around 30kms from and 35kms from Siddapura. Here river 'Aghanashini' running through thick woods makes a spectacular waterfall. The ksrtc buses will go up to a place called Heggarani. From Heggarani it is few kilometers walk.
Jeep is the best mode of transportation anywhere in North Kanara. You can hire a jeep either in sirsi or anywhere your base camp is and take convenient drives.
Distance:
From Bangalore 400+ kms
From Nearest Town 25kms (Sirsi)
From Nearest Petrol Bunk 25kms (Sirsi)
Nearest Medical Help ~10kms Aminalli
Nearest Hotel ~25kms Sirsi, Tea Shops at Aminalli.
Burude Falls
|
| | This wonderful waterfall is around 20+kms from Siddapur and 55+kms from Sirsi, on Siddapur-Kumta road. The way to get down to the river is through a small creek which is dry in summer. And which will be full in rainy and winter seasons which makes the entry to the waterfall and the valley impossible. The first step of the waterfall has an amphitheater sort of setting where hundreds of people can sit and watch the glorious waterfall and feel the mist rushing towards them. On the other side after a serious climb down you will get to see the other end of the waterfall. And the last stretch of this waterfall can only be heard from here. If you have a heart for climbing you can climb down to the edge of the rock to see it partially. This one is a wonderful one. This could be a ideal two day spot.On the way to Kumta from Siddapur after Kyadagi (1+kms) you will get down at iLimane cross and take a walk for 5+kms to reach the waterfall. Do carry your ration and tentage. This place can also be reached by trekking from the Unchalli waterfalls along the stream. And god knows who called it burude, he must have been a brainy. |
Distance
From Bangalore 450+ kms
From Nearest Town Siddapur 20+kms
From Nearest Petrol Bunk Siddapur
Nearest Medical Help Siddapur
Nearest Hotel Siddapur
Approach
Best Time Winter and early Summer
Benne Hole Waterfalls
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| | This marvelous place is one among the numerous waterfalls (somebody said 18) in North Kanara. A tributary of the river "Aghanashini" by name 'beNNe hoLe'(hoLe is big stream in Kannada) flowing through the dense forests of the Devimane Ghats region of the Western Ghats falling from a height of about 200feet forms a spectacular visual treat(of course mental too). On the way to Kumta from Sirsi after 21kms you get a small places called "Kasage". From here the waterfall is around 6kms away. Take the path which goes towards "Hosur" and up to Hosur it is a jeep track till the last house in Hosur. From here it is 2kms walk to the waterfall. |
From Bangalore 440 kms
From Nearest Town Sirsi 26+kms
From Nearest Petrol Bunk Sirsi
Nearest Medical Help Ragi Hosalli 9+kms
Nearest Hotel Ragi Hosalli(tea shop, snacks) and Sirsi.
Approach
Get Down at Kasage from en route Kumta from Sirsi. (this stop is 5km before Ragi Hosalli).
Best Time Early Winter (we went in rainy times, it is different 'cos nobody was around, hellua rain, full of leeches and everything is green as usual. The feeling is different entirely).
Chunchi Falls
One day outing spot in Kanakapura taluk in Bangalore Rural district.The river is Arkavati. This place is about 90kms from Bangalore city. And en route to the Mekedatu and Sangama. This Sangama is a place where three rivers join. From Sangama Mekedatu is about 4kms away and bus service is available. Walking along the river or on the road itself is a nice experience. Mekedatu is a small rocky valley where the river flows. Beautiful place surrounded by wonderful forest.
About 16kms before 'Sangama' you have to take a left turn to the Yeleguri village to go to this waterfall. The waterfall is about 6km away from the deviation.
Expected crowd to be around 60-70 people on weekends and still less on weekdays.
Distance
From Bangalore 90+ kms
From Nearest Town Kanakapura
From Nearest Petrol Bunk Kanakapura
Nearest Medical Help Kanakapura, Sangama
Nearest Hotel Kanakapura, Sangama (small shops)
Approach
Best Time Early winter to early summer. With own vehicle these places are ideal outing spots. There are good numbers of buses available till Kanakapura but limited buses go further.
Kaveri river near Bheemeshwari
If you are working on your vacation plans this year, you have every reason to keep Karnataka tourism on your agenda. Karnataka is an exotic state of India offering century old heritage, architectural splendors, amazing sea beaches and magnificent cascading water falls. Karnataka, the eighth largest state of India in terms of area, is a land of amazing tourist spots. The cradle of an ancient civilization, Karnataka has to its credit a plethora of rock cut temples; an exemplar of awe inspiring architecture and art. Home to many dynasties, it boasts of many temples and monuments that have been enlisted as world heritage sites. Besides Karnataka has scenic and unspoilt hill stations that are frequented by those seeking the serene. Among these exotic hill stations are beautiful Waterfalls in Karnataka that cascade from great heights.
Known for its water falls, Karnataka can boast of Jog falls of Shimoga District which is one of the highest waterfalls in Asia. Abbey Falls, Achakanya Falls, Balmuri falls, Chunchanakatte Falls are some of the well known falls among the many waterfalls of Karnataka.
Kudremukh National Park and the Waterfalls in Karnataka are listed among the 1001 wonders of the world
For a trip to Waterfalls in Karnataka book a tour with indianholiday. Log on to indianholiday.com to know more about Waterfalls in Karnataka.
