2009
22
This is an absolute no-brainer. By which I mean, you really do not need anyone to point you in a particular direction to get till Sivanasamudram. And if you are in Bangalore or are passing through for some reason and have a few hours at hand, it’s a must visit destination.
Sivanasamudram Waterfall Panoramic view
How do we get there?
Very simple actually. Somehow get to Kanakpura road from Bangalore. If you are residing in South Bangalore, half the job is done. Getting to Kanakpura road from south Bangalore is a breeze. But if you are from North Bangalore or from satellite towns like Yelahanka, things are a little bit more tricky. On a weekday I would recommend the Outer Ring Road for a problem and misdirection free ride till Kanakpura road. This would be a long ride, so start early. You can also take the shorter route through the city but that will be plagued by extensive one-ways and too many traffic signals.
Once on Kanakpura road
Once you are on Kanakpura road, just head out. The road is also known as NH 209 and can take you all the way to Coimbatore. But then we are not going all the way there. The road has been recently redone from its earlier painful self. It’s a beautiful 2 lane road sans a lane divider and very minimal traffic. It also has excellent twists and turns, and a good surface to test your driving skills if you want to.
Kanakpura Road, the good sections. Some sections are still getting done and may be painful.
Lone standing rock / hill on Kanakpura Road, looks like a good place to try some rock climbing.
Once officially outside Bangalore, the road takes you through mini forests, orchards, grape farms, various other farms, flower fields, picturesque hill tops and what not. Overall, a beautiful drive. The distance to Sivanasamudram is about 120 Km. You will pass through Harohalli and reach Kanakpura Town, where some tricky one way through the town bus stop has to be navigated through. The details are there in the adjoining map (thanks to Google).
Right after the small detour, you will be faced with a Y junction with a dubious tourism board pointing nowhere in particular (they might have changed that). Keep to the right at the Y junction and continue on NH209.
Navigating through Kanakpura
Pass through small place called Halagur and reach Malavalli. On reaching Malavalli, the NH209 bends sharp to right at 90° and continues on. Do not turn left or you will head towards Mysore. After this things get a little bit more extensive and detailed. A few kilometers down (about 5km) after the turn you will see a board on your left pointing to the waterfalls. Get into the road and continue straight till you reach a toll gate kind of place where someone may ask you for money. Why I say ‘may’ is because I have been there a few times and only sometimes they have asked for some fees. Once inside, you would have reached the power station.
Asia’s second hydro-electric power station after shimshapura, is located at the waterfall and is still functional. This station was commissioned by theDiwan of Mysore, Sir K. Seshadri Iyer. The electricity produced here was initially used in the Kolar Gold Fields. Thus, Kolar Gold Fields became the first town in Asia to get hydro electricity.
- Wikipedia
If you are interested in the power station, you can dig up more information by just following the various links in the quote. But, if you are not, then drive straight till the power station, turn right (you may need to ask for this direction, else look for signage) pointing to Gaganachukki and Barahchukki, thats the name of the two falls.
Rest is easy, you will reach the place. A simpler method is to follow the mad rush of tourist taxis headed in the same direction.
Getting to the viewing gallery through the power station. Route is approximation from satellite imagery.
The place is a dead end. Your car, bike, SUV wont go any further and sit in the parking lot (open space under nature’s umbrella). You will have to take the staircase from here on to get to the viewing gallery. On a good day, right after the rains, you can feel the water spray till here. Note that the viewing gallery is almost half a kilometer away from the actual waterfall if not more. The view is worth the drive in almost any weather.
This place earlier used to have small vendors selling inane stuff and fool items. In recent years they have been removed in favor of a Karnataka Tourism run restaurant, managed by Bengalis and serving North Indian Food. Needless to say, the results are not that good. I would suggest carrying your own food.
If you do carry your own food, please do not dump the plastic bags there itself, as 90% of the educated population do. Do the place a favor, preserve it by carrying all that junk back.
Once you are done with this place, there is more. When you are at the viewing gallery, you will realize that there is a way to get even closer to the foot of the waterfall by getting to the other side of the river. Get back out on NH209 and continue further out. You will cross a bridge eventually and then come to a T junction, turn left and continue straight on. If lost, ask for the Durgah. Yep, it’s a religious place and this however has more options in terms of junk food than the other side. Get there, there is ample amount of place to park the vehicle. Get on your feet and explore the waterfall up close. From the word go, you will be stunned by the deafening road of water gushing down hundreds of feet so close.
While returning, chances are you will be tired, not from the drive, but from climbing up and down so many stairs which you probably are not used to. It will also probably be dark by the time you start back. The best way to handle Kanakpura road in the night is by not getting on it.
Getting to the other side
The Picnic Spot
Come to the junction on NH209 where you took a hard left while going, this time don’t turn and continue straight through Malavalli town. Maintain absolutely straight direction and soon you will reach Bangalore – Mysore Expressway touching it a little before Mandya Town. Turn right and head towards Bangalore. If you want a coffee break, there is one right there on your left on the expressway right after you get on it.
Enjoy and drive safe. More info on Wikipedia
Hi Sharath,
It’s good to visit the waterfalls right after or during rains to get maximum view. In my opinion, it’s a good view all year round.
Das
can i know from you if the waterfalls has good enough waters now…
would it be good time to visit?
Its a nice place to visit when in Bangalore, and not too far out either.
Excellent blog on the waterfalls, I have often wondered about them on trips to Bangalore. I love travel blogs keep them rolling, it helps a lot