15 Most Beautiful World Class Indian Waterfalls

15 Beautiful World Class Indian Waterfalls

Showcasing amazing waterfalls in India

India is blessed with abundant natural beauty. Tourists visiting India are attracted by the nature's bounty in the form of beautiful beaches, spectacular hills and magnificent and roaring waterfalls.

So many waterfalls are located in different States of India. Some southern states like Karnataka have more than their share of water resources including the number of waterfalls.

This Hub will endeavour to showcase some of the famous waterfalls attracting tourists. Some videos will help you to appreciate the magnificence of these waterfalls better.

Types of Waterfalls

Waterfall is a natural formation where, normally during the course of a river or stream, water drops from a considerable height either directly or in one or more steps or segments. There are different ways of categorizing waterfalls and the splendour of a fall would depend upon factors like, height, volume of water flowing, shape it takes and others.

Four popular types of waterfalls are:

1. Plunge Type - where water descends vertically and no more remains in contact with the bedrock surface
2. Cascade Type - where water descends on one or more rock steps
3. Segmented Type - where water descends in distinct and separate streams
4. Tiered Type - where water descends in a series of distinct steps or falls.

Another way of categorising waterfalls is the consideration of average volume of water present in the fall, which is linked with average flow and height. The famous Niagara Falls is categorised as Class 10, the top category.

#1. Jog Falls, Karnataka State

Created by Sharavathi river in Kanataka, Jog Falls is one of the most spectacular falls in India. It has four distinct parts which have been named as

(1) Raja (King), with unbroken full height column;
(2) Roarer, it meets Raja at an angle of 45 degrees and is violent;
(3) Rocket, it has a series of jets shooting downwards; and
(4) Rani (Queen), moving quietly exhibiting a sheet of foam.

This is a Plunge (Water descends vertically, losing contact with the bedrock surface) waterfall and is the second highest of its type in India with a height of 253 m or 830 ft

Tourism Department of Karnataka has constructed 1500 steps to reach the bottom of the hill to have a great view of the Jog Falls. It has a dry spell also and can be enjoyed best during monsoon season in the late noon mainly because of the rainbow formation at that time.

#2. Hogenakkal Falls, Tamil Nadu State

Handicrafted Boat

Hogenakkal means 'smoking rocks' in Kannada language in Southern India. Located in Dharampuri District of Tamil Nadu, this fall is on the famous river Kaveri. Tourists enjoy medicinal baths as, many believe, it has curative value acquired by its passing through thick forests having herbs. They are also attracted by the series of waterfalls and coracle or circular shaped basket hide boat rides at this place. Local boys show their skills by jumping from a height of about 30 ft and entertain tourists by immediately returning to the spot of jumping.

#3. Dudhsagar Falls, Goa State

Train crossing

Located in Goa Sate, bordering Karnataka, Dudhsagar Falls is about 40 kms from Panaji, the capital of the State. Its source of water is Mandovi river and the Forest Department of the State closes the roads in rainy season. This is the fifth tallest waterfall in India and its beauty is appreciated by the tourist while travelling by train. The waterfall is located within a Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and birds, insects, animals and plants are other attractions.

Dudhsagar Falls is a Tiered Fall (Water drops in a series of distinct steps or falls) and is having a height: of 310 m or 1017 ft.

#4. Abbey Falls, Karnataka State

Abbey Falls is one of the most spectacular site for tourists in Coorg District in Karnataka state. Located at a distance of about 10 kms from Madikeri town, the beauty of the Falls lies in its location in the coffee plantations and spice estates. The flow of water increases in the monsoon and tourists find leeches in the water at this Falls but the view can be best enjoyed from the hanging bridge constructed on the opposite side of the Falls

#5. Dhuandhar Falls, Madhya Pradesh

Source: Wikimedia Commons - Photo credit: Hariya1234

Situated at Bhedaghat near Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh, Dhuandhar Falls may not look very high but is known for its roar. Only 10 m (over 30 ft) high, its passage through world-famous marble rocks of Narmada River narrows down before the fall. White marble and the dark greenish or black volcanic rocks combination around this water source look splendid and breath-taking especially during early hours. It gives a foggy look due to droplets of water floating in the air, making the atmosphere misty. Some shots of Indian famous movies at near by spots are well known.

Enjoy the close view of Dhuandhar Falls and enjoy its roar

#6. Athirapally Falls, Kerala State

A smooth running Chalakudy river suddenly turns turbulent and roaring at Athirapally Falls in Thrissur district of Kerala State. It is nearly 24 m or 80 ft fall with three separate plumes passing through big rocks and gorges (only two shown in the image, third being slightly distant) and then it again calms down after travelling a small distance. It is a popular picnic spot because of the tranquility found in thick forests as also being a picturesque natural spot.

#7. Irupu Falls, Karnataka State

Irupu Falls has the distinction of being both a tourist attraction as well as a pilgrimage spot. Located 48 kms from Virajpet in Kodagu District of Karnataka State, Irupu Falls attract tourist to the fresh water cascade which scrolls down the hills in Brahmagiri range with uneven speed having maximum flow during monsoon season. The total height of the Falls is 170 ft and the water joins river Cauvery.

#8. Seven Sisters Falls, Meghalaya State

Also known as Nohsngithiang Falls, the Seven Sisters Fall got its name because of its having seven segments. It also acquired another name, Mawsmai Falls which is linked with its location of a nearby village Mawsmai in the East Khasi Hills District of Meghalaya State. It is only a seasonal Fall and the water drops from a height of 315 m or 1033 ft. The flow is abundant during rainy season and the water plunges over the top of limestone cliffs. The reflection of the sunset makes it a beautiful site in the evening. All around there is a lush green area which clubbed with the Fall, is a major attraction for the tourists in Meghalaya.

#9. Ethipothala Falls, Andhra Pradesh

Situated in Andhra Pradesh, Ethipothala Falls is formed by a combination of Chandravanka Vagu, Nakkala Vagu and Tummala Vagu, three streams of Chandravanka River. This cascade (water descending a series of rock steps) type fall is having a height of only 21 m or 71 ft. There are two temples, Ranganatha and Dattatreya, nearby as also a crocodile breeding centre in the lagoon formed by the fall. Interestingly, the Tourism Department has created a strategic view point from an adjoining hill to afford best view of this cascade to the tourists.

#10. Jung Falls or Bong Bong Falls, Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh, one of the smaller states in the north-eastern India, has a beautiful place about 35 kms from Tawang City and near to a town called Jung. Unlike many other waterfall in India which have their origin in different rivers, Jung Falls has its source from alpine lakes and snow streams and exhibits flow of milky water from about a 100 m or over 300 ft height. The surroundings are quite sensational due to thick green forests. It is also known as Nuranang falls or Bong Bong falls and has gone popular because of its recent Bollywood connections.

Have of look of Jung Falls (Bong Bong Falls)

#11. Amrit Dhara Falls, Chhattisgarh State

Situated at a distance of 7 kms from Nagpur at Koriya in Chhattisgarh State, Amrit Dhara Falls has a height of 90 feet. It is known to have mineral water originating from Hasdo River and tourists believe in medicinal value of the water. The waterfall creates a misty ambience and cloudy atmosphere all around. There is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and tourists are also attracted to visit this place during a fair at the temple.

#12. Shivanasamudram Falls, Karnataka State

Another spectacular Falls on Kaveri river in Karnataka State is known as Shivanasamudram Falls. There is a island town Shivanasamudra which divides the river into twin waterfalls. With a height of 98m or 322 ft, this segmented Falls has a left segment (western branch) called Gaganachukki and the right (eastern branch) segment called Bharachukki. There is a watch tower which gives the best view of both segments together.

13. Gokak Falls, Karnataka State

Located at about 6 kms away from Gotak in Belgaum District of Karnataka State, the Gotak Falls is formed by the Ghataprabha river which drops here from 52 m or 171 ft. It is also called mini Niagara Falls because of its resemblance. Other peculiarities of this Falls are

(a) thick reddish brown colour of water;

(b) horse shoe shape at the crest;

(c) flood breadth of 177 m or 581 ft and

(d) a 201 m or 659 ft hanging bridge 14 m or 46 ft high above the rock bed of the river.

#14. Charpa Falls, Kerala State

This is a relatively lesser known waterfall, may be because of not having impressive height. But it has its own charm specially in the monsoon season. Located at 60 kms from Thrissur, the water of Chalkudy river at this Falls plunges to the road during monsoon and the passengers passing by the road are mesmerized by the mist created by the Falls. Some even stop by to get drenched and enjoy the mist forgetting about their journey.

#15. Vanatheertham Falls, Tamil Nadu State

State of Tamil Nadu has yet another beautiful Falls called Vanatheertham Waterfalls. Situated in Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in the Western Ghats, this is above the Karayar dam and is approached by the tourists by a 20 minute boat ride followed by 10 minutes trekking. The journey in the forests with magnificent views of the hills itself is thrilling. The site has been used for two songs in the Indian movies Roja and Anandha Thandavam.