Shivanasamudra Waterfalls : Weekend Destination from Bangalore

Imagine a wide flat terrain with rocky hills surrounded with coconut and banana plantation… Imagine a massive river flowing silently through an arid terrain and herbal forest… Imagine a landscape with rich biodiversity and suddenly you see a same river falling down of rocky cliff and plunging into a deep chasm transforming a series of picturesque waterfalls...  Blowing mist in the air and producing pleasant sound of the water. Yes… you are right…You are within the striking distance from Shivanasamudra waterfalls.

                                         Shivanasamudra Falls
Shivanasamudra Falls:  Situated on the river Cauvery, Shivasamudra is the series of twin waterfalls famous as the hosting site of Asia’s second Hydro-electric power station. It was the power station which electrified Kolar Gold fields and made it the second town of Asia after Tokyo. Shivanasamudra waterfalls are considered as the second largest waterfalls of the country. Shivasamudra waterfalls are also famous as bluff and Shimsa falls in this region.

                                          Bridges on the river cauvery
The left segment (Western Branch) of the falls is known as Gaganachukki fall where as the right segment (Eastern Branch) is popular as Bharachukki fall. It’s a perennial waterfall with average width of 849 meters, a height of 90 meters.  Apart from the waterfalls the other attraction is the island known as Madhya-Ranga, a renowned pilgrim center. Ranganatha Swamy temple which lies on the Madhya-Ranga Island is very near to Barachukki fall. It is one of the three temples those are built on the islands formed by river Cauvery on its way.These waterfalls are 13 km apart and the distance can be covered in 20-30 minutes by your own vehicle after crossing two bridges on the river Cauvery.

                                                                Gaganachukki waterfalls
Gaganachukki Fall:
This side of Shivanasamudra falls is maintained and provides better tourist facilities. There is also a resort where one can get a nice room if wants to stay overnight at fall side. Restaurant adjoining the resort serves decent breakfast and lunch (Dosas and Chutney). It is recommended if you reach there at sunrise which offer an incredible view to the Gaganachukki falls from the watch tower but reaching to the bottom of the fall is not possible from this side.  There is a fence which will not allow you to get closer to the waterfalls. Another view point to Gaganachukki falls is a darga which is on the other side of the river and closer to Barachukki Falls.

                                                 Bharachukki Falls
Bharachukki fall is easily accessible and more popular among the twin falls. Bharachukki fall is little wider than its counterpart. There is s narrow trail of stairs carved through rocks that go down till the bottom of the fall. Bharachukki fall is much vibrant and offers some shallow area where you can enter into the water and enjoy peaceful bathing under the groves. Bharachukki fall is spacious with formation of many small islands under the falls across small streams. The coracle ride which takes you till the mouth of the massive water fall is the key attraction of Bharachukki waterfall. The coracle ride will cost 100 Rs per person and must recommend if not done before elsewhere.

                                         Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary
These waterfalls and surrounding hills fall into Cauvery Wild life sanctuary which provides a wide opportunity of excursion, trekking in the forest, rock climbing, bird watching, fishing and other activities for naturalist.

                                     Coracle ride at Bharachukki waterfalls
Best time to Visit: Due to heavy water inflow during monsoon, most of the tourist prefers to travel Shivanasamudra waterfalls in monsoon season (From June to September) when waterfall look gorgeous in its full flow. Winter/Summer season provide you an opportunity to reach to the bottom of the waterfalls and witness the exquisite natural beauty.

                                       Closer view to Bharachukki Falls
Reaching Shivanasamudra Waterfalls:
Private Transport:  It can be a preferred destination if traveling to Mysore from Bangalore. Although it is situated on a diversion from Bangalore-Mysore highway still it can be easily covered on the way if traveling by your own transport.

Route:  Bangalore-Maddur-Malavalli-Shivanasamudra (135 Km)
              Bangalore-Kanakapura-Malavalli-Shivasamudra

                                     Another view to Gaganachukki Falls
By Bus: Reaching Shivanasamudra by public transport may be a bothersome experience as it’s not directly connected from Mysore or Bangalore.  Buses on Bangalore-Mysore highway will drop you at Kollegal and from Kollegal, you will have to hunt other commutation till Shivanasamudra falls.

* There are also KSRTC busses from Bangalore to Malavalli from where you can further chase for transportation to Shivanasamudra falls.

By Train: Maddur is the nearest station but the preferred one is Mysore (60 km).

* For Bike enthusiasts, It can be a one day moderately exhausting excursion from Bangalore.

                                         Bharachukki Falls Karnataka
Recommended:
*Get a taxi from Bangalore or Mysore [non-AC Indica: 6 Rs per km excluding toll charges], some of the taxi operators has a condition of returning back before 10 PM else you will have to pay some extra amount. Check on this condition before confirming your booking.

Heading out:
Somnathpur (Chennakesava Temple & Hoysala architecture) > Mudukuthore (Mallikarjuna temple) > Talakad (famous for Vaidyanatheswara temple and other temples submerged in the sand on the bank of river cauvery).