We hit the road again! And this time to Madikeri. Since the Covid count was the least in Kodagu for Karnataka, we decided on Madikeri.
We took the help of Google Maps, even though we know the route from Bangalore to Madikeri just like the back of our palm. We have been on this road atleast 20 times in the last 5 years. But with google maps you get to know which roads are under repair or which patches have traffic congestion. We took the Kanakpura road since it is less congested and also scenic.
The Shivanasamudram falls is a famous waterfalls of Karnataka. To reach this falls we had to take a little detour before Mandya. Since it was monsoon, we anticipated that there will be water in the falls and hence it would look majestic.
The waterfalls are created by river Cauvery that runs down a 75 metre gorge before it divides into two branches that flow around the island of Shivanasamudra. The two branches (eastern & western branches) flow through deep ravines on either side of the island before plunging in two different places a few kilometres apart to form the Barachukki and Gaganachukki waterfalls.
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| Shivanasamudra Falls |
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| Shivanasamudra Falls |
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| Shivanasamudra Falls |
The eastern branch of the waterfall is known as Barachukki while the western branchis known as Gaganachukki. Barachukki and Gaganachukki waterfalls are together known as the Shivanasamudra Falls.
A common misconception about these waterfalls is that the left segment is called Gaganachukki and the right segment is called Bharachukki. In reality the Bharachukki falls are a few kilometers to the south-west of the Gaganachukki falls and one cannot view both the falls from the same place.This is due to the Kaveri river itself splitting a few kilometers to the south into western and eastern branches.The western branch results in the twin waterfalls of Gaganachukki, whereas the eastern branch results in the Bharachukki falls.
Before entering the Gaganachukki waterfall we also saw the location of Asia’s first hydro-electric power station that was set up in the year 1902 by Sir K Seshadri Iyer which is still functional even today.
We had seen photos of coracles in the area, however this time we did not saw any coracle.May be the coracle service was closed because of Covid.
Next we took a coffee break at CCD. We prefer CCD while travelling not because of the coffee but because of the clean washrooms. Most of our travel readers who travel with family would agree with this.
For our stay at Madikeri, we had booked the suite rooms at Hotel Mayura Valley view.The rooms are hugs with amazing views of the valley. If you want an elaborate hotel tour, do check our video.
Next day's plan is to see Bylakuppe Monastery and Dubare Elephant Camp.
Tourist Attractions near the Barachukki and Gaganachukki Falls
1.Sri Ranganathaswamy Temples
There are three Ranganathaswamy temples on the three major islands formed by river Cauvery in South India. All the three temples are dedicated to the Hindu God Ranganatha, a manifestation of Lord Vishnu. Two out of the three temples are located in the areas surrounding the waterfalls.
One of the temples is located in the historic town of Srirangapatna. It is a very ancient temple and is known as Adi Ranga or the first Ranga. The town derives its name from the temple.
The second temple of Ranganathaswamy is located in the island town of Shivanasamudra. The temple is known as Madhya Ranga or the middle Ranga. The temple is a grand structure that was constructed during the Hoysala period.
The third temple of Ranganathaswamy or the Anthya Ranga is located at Srirangam in Tamil Nadu.
2. Talakad
Talakkad is a desert-like town located on the banks of river Cauvery, at a distance of about 35 km from the waterfalls. It is a historic town and a famous pilgrimage area of the Hindus as it has several temples. The renowned Vaidyanatheswara Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located here.
3. Channapatna
Channapatna is a small town located on the Bangalore-Mysore highway. The town is famous for well-crafted wooden toys and lacquerware that are created there. The beautiful toys are coloured with bright vegetable dyes that are non-toxic and safe for children to play with. They are also ideal as souvenirs.
4. Somnathpur
Somnathapura is a small village situated on the banks of river Cauvery. It is a place that boasts of grand monuments dating back to the Hoysala period. The historic monuments exhibit rich architecture and sculpture that were prominent features of the Hoysala period.
5. Bheemeshwari
It is a small town located near the banks of the river Kaeri. It is a great destination for eco-tourism. The town is famous for being the natural habitat of the mahseer fish found in the waters of the Cauvery River. Mahseer is one of the finest game fishes in the world. The town is a major fishing hub.
Best time to visit the Barachukki and Gaganachukki Falls
The Barachukki & Gaganachukki Falls are perennial and can be visited throughout the year. However, the best time to visit the waterfalls is during the monsoon season that extends from July to September. During this season the waterfalls are in full swing and the view is a gorgeous one.
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