Karnataka is bestowed with the stunning beauty of Western Ghats, chilly hill stations, milky waterfalls, ancient temples and historic monuments, cool beaches, gorgeous palaces and of course the beautiful Techno city Bangalore. That’s the reason why Karnataka is the fourth most popular tourist destination in the country. Though it has several tourist places to visit, people who have more interest in nature and trekking can opt some splendid waterfalls in this state. Moreover, Karnataka owns India’s tallest waterfalls, the Jog falls. The beautiful rivers, Kaveri, Sharavati, Krishna and Tungabhadra produce several glorious waterfalls which attracts a lot of tourists all through the year. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Waterfalls in Karnataka

Jog Falls

Pride of Karnataka, the Jog Falls is in the Shimoga District in the green and serene forests of the Western Ghats. Sharavati River plunges from a height of 829 feet in four tracks, namely Raja, Roarer, Rocket and Rani to form the highest plunge waterfall in India. Tourists can also visit the Linganamakki Dam nearby. The best season to visit Jog would be from August to December especially during the monsoon when the river is on its full flow. The sight of the falls during this time is a breath taking one and is also beautified by rainbows frequently. After monsoon, when there is less flow, tourists can go to the depths of the fall and take a sprinkle shower. It is definitely an adventurous trek into one among nature’s several wonders. Jog falls is 379 kilometers away from Bangalore and the nearest railway station is Talaguppa. Several buses also run from Shimoga to the falls.

Shivanasamudra Falls

Shivanasamudra Falls, one of the famed waterfalls of the country stands out as the 16th largest falls in the whole of the world and the second largest in the whole of the country. The falls comes with a width of about 849 meters and has a height of about 90meters. The uniqueness of this waterfalls lies in its segmented nature plus in its marvelous twin jumps. River Kaveri is the main source of this falls. A split in the river results in two distinct waterfalls; namely Ganga Chukki or Western Falls and Bhara Chukki or Eastern Falls.

Tourists have to trek through the green forest for almost 2 KMs to reach the falls. They get a stunning view of the falls from Shivanasamudra watch tower. Best view of the falls would be in the monsoon season. The nearest airport is Mysore Airport. It’s only a 65 kms drive from Mysore to reach this waterfall.

Magod Falls

It’s a 650 feet high stunning waterfall in the flow of River Bedti. It falls in two jumps giving a beautiful view for the tourists. Magod falls is in the Northwest region of Karnataka and one has to travel through the mountainous terrains to reach the falls amidst the dense forest. It is 19 kms from Yellapur and 100 kms from Karwar. Other tourist spots near Magod falls are Kavadekere, a beautiful lake and Jenukallu Gudda, a rocky hill famous for sunset viewing.

Sathodi Falls

To reach this waterfall, you have to go in the opposite direction on the way to Magod Falls and is 32 Km from Yellapur. It is a beautiful waterfall which joins the backwaters of Kodasalli Dam built across Kali River. This waterfall is located deep inside the dense forest range of Ganeshgudi. Sathodi fall is trekking lover’s favorite destination. You have to trek through the dense forests for almost 10 kms to reach the fall. Late Monsoon and early winter would be the best season to visit this place.

Abbey Falls/ Abbi Falls

Amidst the scenic coffee plantations of Madikeri lies a nice picnic spot for tourists called the Abbi falls. A narrow road through the coffee and cardamom plantations leads to the waterfall. The greenery of the plantation, tall trees having pepper vines and the smell of the spices give an exotic experience for tourists. The best view of the falls is from a hanging bridge near the waterfall. The nearest airport is Mangalore airport which is 90 km away. Best time to visit would be early winter.

Iruppu Waterfall

Iruppu waterfalls also differently referred to as Lakshmana Theertha Falls is the origin of River Lakshmana Teertha. It is a well known pilgrimage destination plus a tourist spot too. As per myths, God Rama and Lakshmana had come to this spot looking for Devi Sita. Along River Lakshmana Teertha stands the famed Rameshwara temple. On the auspicious occasion of Shivratri, scores of pilgrims gather at the place.

Other popular destinations near the falls are Brahmagiri peak, Pakshi-patala and Nagarhole National Park which is 50 kms away. This destination is chosen by those tourists who love to see and cherish the beauty of nature. Iruppu falls is situated 260 km from Bangalore 48 km from Virajpet.

Unchalli Falls

This falls was discovered by a district collector of the British Government called J.D Lushington in 1845 and thus also known as Lushington Falls. River Aghanashini leaps into a steep valley from a height of 450 feet to form the spell bound Unchalli Waterfall. This is also known as Keppa Joga for its thunder like roar. 30 km from Sirsi in Uttara Kannada and a 5km trek from Heggarne village through the wild forest would lead you to Unchalli.

Shivaganga Falls

This is a picturesque waterfall plunging from a height of 200 feet which is a stunning sight in its full bloom during monsoon. 45 km from Sirsi and a forest trek gives a serene and relaxed mood. A photographic view of the falls can be observed from a view point set up by the Forest department.

Chunchanakatte Falls

Cauvery River flows down into Chunchanakatte from a height of 60 feet and almost 300 to 400 feet wide forming the spectacular and stunning Chunchanakatte waterfall. It is in Krishnarajanagar, 57 kms drive from Mysore. The gush of water sounds like thunders and can be heard from everywhere except inside the GarbhaGudi( Sanctum Sanctoram) in the Lord Kodandarama temple near the falls. This place has a great religious importance as it is believed that Lord Rama, Lakshmana and Devi Sita stayed here during their Vanvaas. They stayed with a tribal couple, Chunchan and Chunchi and thus the name Chunchanakatte. It is also believed that Lord Lakshmana created this falls in three different shades of turmeric, oil and shikakai for Devi Sita to bath. Even now we can see the different shades of water when the waterfall is in its full gush during monsoon. Another uniqueness of this temple is that Devi Sita stands to the right side of Lord Rama rather than the normal left. The ancient Kodandarama temple and the Krishnarajanagar Dam are also must see places here.