Vajrai Falls, Bhambavali, Maharashtra

Vajrai Falls, Bhambavali, Maharashtra

Vajrai Falls is a waterfall located in Bhambavali Village near Khas Pathar in Satara District in the Indian state of Maharashtra. This waterfall is the tallest waterfall in India and second highest plunge waterfall in India after the Nohkalikai Falls in Meghalaya.

Legends

As per legend, Marathi Saint Samarth Ramdas Swami has climbed this mountain in three footsteps because of his climb, the waterfall was converted into three-tiered waterfall.

The Falls

The waterfall is located on the river Urmodi and falls straight down from a straight cliff having three steps (tiers). The height of the waterfall combining all three tiers is 560 m (1840 ft). This is a perennial waterfall but is very spectacular during monsoons. The greenery of the surrounding region is breathtaking. As the waterfall is located inside the dense forest, tourists can see wild animals, butterflies, reptiles, frogs, and various species of trees. June to October is the best time to visit this waterfall. This area is inhabited by a large number of leeches. Swimming at the waterfall is prohibited because of deep ponds.

Connectivity

The falls is located at about 2 Kms from Alawadi Bus Stop, 3 Kms from Kaas Pathar, 4 Kms from Bhambavali, 29 Kms from Satara, 34 Kms from Satara Railway Station, 42 Kms from Mahabaleshwar, 54 Kms from Panchgani, 137 Kms from Pune and 148 Kms from Pune Airport. Buses are available from Satara to Kas Pathar. This waterfall is situated on Satara to Mahabaleshwar route via Kas Pathar.

There is no direct route to this waterfall as it is located in the Sahyadri mountain range. Trekking is the only way to reach this waterfall. The trek starts from Bhambavali village. Bhambavali village can be reached after walking 15-20 minutes from Kas village. The base of the falls can be reached from Alawadi Bus Stop by trekking for about 1 Km. Buses are available from Satara to Alawadi Bus Stop.

Location

Dhareshwar Waterfall, Banoti, Maharashtra

Dhareshwar Waterfall, Banoti, Maharashtra

Dhareshwar Waterfall is located in a remote location off Banoti Village in the Soegaon Taluk of the Aurangabad District in Maharashtra, India. This waterfall is least known in spite of being quite picturesque and enchanting. The falls can be reached after a long trek from the village of Banoti.

The Falls

It is a plunge waterfall falling from a height of about 200 feet. The optical width of the falls is about 20 feet. It is a seasonal waterfall that runs during monsoon season. There is a cave enshrining a Shiva Lingam named Dhareshwar can be seen next to the waterfall. There is an ancient remains of Buddhist monastery dated to 5^th century CE can be seen near this waterfall. The monastery is not accessible except with the help of a climbing rope. The existence of this ancient monastery adjacent to the waterfall is largely unknown to the modern world.

Connectivity

Banoti is located at about 35 Kms from Soegaon, 44 Kms from Chalisgaon Junction Railway Station, 48 Kms from Fardapur, 71 Kms from Jalgaon, 92 Kms from Aurangabad and 93 Kms from Aurangabad Airport. The starting point of the trek to the waterfalls is located at about 5 Kms from Banoti. The waterfalls can be reached after trekking for 10 Kms.

Location

Devkund Waterfall, Bhira, Maharashtra

Devkund Waterfall, Bhira, Maharashtra

Devkund Waterfall is a waterfall located in Bhira Village in Mangaon Tehsil in Raigad District in Maharashtra, India. It is the confluence of three waterfalls and is said to be the origin of Kundalika River.

The Falls

It is a plunge waterfall pouring massive amounts of water on the rocky surface underneath. The pool below the falls is a great place for swimming. The greenery surrounding the falls are breathtaking. During the monsoon the water volume increases very quickly due to the design of the hills, so it is unsafe to see the waterfall. It has become extremely crowded and dangerous place. Several lives have been lost while amateurs try to visit this place on their own. The ideal time to go to this waterfall is post monsoon.

Connectivity

The starting point of the falls is located at about 1 Km from Bhira, 2 Kms from Patnus, 7 Kms from Rawalje, 30 Kms from Kolad Railway Station, 32 Kms from Mangaon, 32 Kms from Mangaon Railway Station, 55 Kms from Raigad, 81 Kms from Lonavala, 100 Kms from Pune, 111 Kms from Pune Airport and 125 Kms from Mumbai. It is about a three-hour trek from base village along the dam backwater and through forest to reach this waterfall. A major part of the trek goes through some semi-dried forests with the river running parallel and sometimes crisscrossing through the route. A guide is required to be taken during the trek as there is dense forest around.

Location

Indravati National Park, Kutru, Chhattisgarh

Indravati National Park, Kutru, Chhattisgarh

Indravati National Park is a national park located near Kutru Village in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh state in India. The park derives its name from the Indravati River, which flows from east to west and forms the northern boundary of the reserve with the Indian state of Maharashtra. Indravati National Park is among the most famous wildlife parks of Chhattisgarh. It is one of three Project Tiger sites in Chhattisgarh, along with Udanti-sitanadi, and is home to one of the last remaining populations of the endangered wild water buffalo.

History

This reserve attained the status of a national park in 1981 and a tiger reserve in 1983, becoming one of the most famous tiger reserves in India. The park is reported to be largely under Naxal control.

The Park

The national park covers an area of approximately 2799.08 km2. The topography of the park mainly comprises undulating hilly terrain with altitude ranging between 177 and 599 metres above the sea level. The recommended season to visit the park is from 15 December to 15 June.

Flora:

The vegetation of the Indravati National Park is mainly of the tropical moist and dry deciduous type with predominance of bamboo, sal and teak. There are also patches of grassland providing food to large herbivores such as wild water buffalos, chital, barking deer, nilgai, and gaurs. The most common tree in the park are teak, lendia, salai, mahua, tendu, semal, haldu, ber and jamun.

Fauna:

The park has one of the last populations of the endangered wild Asian buffalo. The national park is also home to a variety of other ungulate species. Some of them are Asian Elephant, gaur (Indian bison), nilgai, blackbuck, chausingha (four-horned antelope), sambar, chital, Indian muntjac, Indian spotted chevrotain and wild boar. Large predators are represented by tigers, leopards, sloth bears, and dholes (wild dogs). Smaller mammals include flying squirrel, porcupine, pangolins, rhesus monkeys and langurs among many others. The commonly found reptiles in the park are freshwater crocodile, monitor lizard, Indian chameleon, common krait, Indian rock python, cobra and Russell's viper. The park also gives shelter to the large variety of birds of which the hill myna is the most important species.

Connectivity

Kutru is the main entry point of the park. Kutru is located at about 34 Kms from Bhairamgarh, 41 Kms from Bijapur, 93 Kms from Bhopalpatnam, 97 Kms from Dantewada Railway Station, 99 Kms from Geedam, 117 Kms from Barsur, 172 Kms from Jagdalpur, 175 Kms from Jagdalpur Airport and 181 Kms from Bastar. Kutru is situated at about 34 Kms to the north west of Bhairamgarh on Jagdalpur to Bhopalpatnam route.

Location

Chitrakote Falls, Chitrakote, Chhattisgarh

Chitrakote Falls, Chitrakote, Chhattisgarh

Chitrakote Falls is a waterfall located in Chitrakote Village in Bastar District in the Indian state of Chattisgarh. It is often called as Niagara Falls of India because of its width and its widespread horseshoe shape during the monsoon season. It is one of two waterfalls located near the Kanger Valley National Park, the other being Teerathgarh Falls.

Legends

As per legend, Lord Rama spent his exile in Chitrakote (Dandakaranya). He meditated in the caves here, beside the waterfall.

The Waterfall

It is a natural waterfall situated on the Indravati River. It is surrounded by the majestic grandeur of Vindhya ranges. The height of the falls is about 29 metres (95 ft). It is the widest fall in India, reaching a width of nearly 300 metres (980 ft) during the monsoon season. The beauty of the falls can be seen throughout the year, particularly during sunset. As the fast-flowing water of the river flows over the sharp, near-vertical rock exposure at the widest reach of the river, it generates misty clouds and then hits into a pond formed in a semicircular shape at the bottom of the falls.

During the rainy season, from July to October, rainbows are created with sun rays reflecting on mist from the waterfall. Adventure sports enthusiasts use boats in the stormy part of this pond. Pilgrims bathe in the calmer part of the lake. In the low-flow season, paddle boats are used in pools formed in the upstream part of the falls. In the pool below the falls, swimming and paddle boats are permitted. Local boatmen can paddle their boats under the spray below the falls. It is one of the six waterfalls in India classified as geomorphosites (geo heritage sites with geomorphological interest).

This classification is based on research studies of geological features of heritage value existing in different parts of the country. A small Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and several naturally formed caves called Parvati caves can be seen on the left bank of the falls. On the banks of the pond below the falls, many small Shiva Lingas (aniconic symbols of the god Shiva) are found in several niches, as are iron trishuls (the trident weapon of Shiva), mostly in a rusted state. 

On the left bank, there is a rock ledge and climbing down this cliff leads to a naturally formed niche which houses stone slabs carved with deities. In addition, there is a small hut made of straw where Shiva images and rusted images of his son, the god Ganesha, are seen. There is a government-run hotel at the top of the falls. A series of steps from the garden of the hotel leads to the falls. Chitrakote log huts with basic and modern cabins have also been built at the location. Some of the cabins provide good views of the falls.

Connectivity

The falls is located at about 33 Kms from Bastar, 42 Kms from Jagdalpur Railway Station, 43 Kms from Jagdalpur Airport and 49 Kms from Barsur. The falls is situated on Jagdalpur to Barsur route.

Location

Teerathgarh Falls, Chattisgarh

Teerathgarh Falls, Chattisgarh

Teerathgarh Falls is a waterfall located at Teerathgarh Village in Kanger Valley National Park in Bastar District in the Indian state of Chattisgarh. This waterfall is a perennial waterfall and can be visited in all seasons. This waterfall is considered one among the highest waterfalls in India.

Legends

As per local folklore, two brothers namely Tirathraj and Chingraj got mesmerized by the beauty of this region and established their fiefdom here. Chingraj established a village named Chingithrai. He constructed his fort and a temple at Chingithrai and ruled over surrounding region. Similarly, Tirathraj established his fort on the lower region of Tirathgarh falls and the established the Tirathgarh village on the upper region. The ruins of the village, temples and his fort can be still seen around Tirathgarh.

The Waterfall

This waterfall is a block type waterfall on the Kanger River. The tributaries of Kanger river Munga and Bahar together produce this beautiful waterfall. The water falls from a height of about 91 metres (299 ft). This waterfall form two to three waterfalls. It is 200 m wide and 110 ft height on the uppermost plains. The rock-cuts are so unique that it gives a unique view to the falls. Again, falling from the height of 125 ft, it forms a second waterfall. Almost after flowing 100 ft, again the distributaries form numerous waterfalls flowing stepwise in 5 to 10m or 1 to 2ft. Due to these numerous waterfalls, Tirathgarh falls is referred to as a cluster of waterfalls.

Here, two major waterfalls falling in two stages contribute to the total height of more than 300 ft. The waterfall is water-flooded during rainy season and flows in its full width along with its channels and gets reflected as a huge cluster of waterfalls whereas after October, it can be viewed in its pure white form. There is a small temple on a large rock opposite the falls. The ruins of ancient Hindu temples can be seen all around the waterfall. A 3 days fair is conducted during Maha Shivaratri here. The best time to see this waterfall is from October to February, along with the rainy season.

Connectivity

The waterfall is located at about 6 Kms from Kanger National Park Kotamsar Booking Counter, 33 Kms from Jagdalpur, 35 Kms from Jagdalpur Railway Station, 37 Kms from Jagdalpur Airport and 81 Kms from Sukma. The waterfall is situated at about 6 Kms to the west of Kanger National Park Kotamsar Booking Counter on Jagdalpur to Sukma route.

Location