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Waterfalls in Karnataka

The confluence of lofty hills and meandering rivers has given rise to a number of waterfalls in Karnataka. Each of these waterfalls produces a breathtaking sight with water gushing down with enormous power. With the arrival of monsoon season, seasonal rainfalls render these majestic falls a sight to behold.

The Jog falls, the grandest of the Karnataka falls, is regarded the highest waterfall in Asia. The four cascades of the falls tumble down from a height of 253 meters, creating a grand spectacle. The Shivasundaram falls is a segmented waterfall and hosts the first hydro-electric power station of Asia.

Most of the waterfalls in Karnataka are popular tourist hubs for the enchanting locales around. The contrast of roaring waterfalls and sylvan surroundings beckon avid tourists from all over India.

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.

Abbey Waterfall CoorgLocated 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).

Iruppu Falls Coorg KarnatakaLocated 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.

Jog Waterfalls Shimoga KarnatakaThe 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.

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).

Shivasamudram Waterfall KarnatakaThe 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.