Mekedaatu, Waterfall at Kaveri River confluence, Karnataka

Mekedaatu is a gorge on the Kaveri River in Kanakapura taluk, about 4 km downstream from Sangama, where the Arkavati joins the Kaveri. The river, over 150 metres wide at Sangama, narrows to a channel barely 10 metres across between granite walls. A flat rock called Table Rock on the left bank overlooks the rushing water.

The name Mekedatu, Kannada for "goat's leap", is traced in local accounts to Kone Gowda, a shepherd of the Kuruba community from Doddallalli. While grazing goats and sheep during a drought, he crossed the Kaveri toward Shagya village in Hanur taluk, and the spot where his goats crossed the stream took the name. His descendants are said to still live in Shagya and Anagalli Doddi.

The Kannada name means "goat's leap". Kannada sources credit the name to Kone Gowda, a Kuruba herder from Doddallalli who crossed the Kaveri with his goats during a drought, driving them towards Shagya village in Hanur taluk; his descendants still live in Shagya and Anagalli Doddi. A flat rock beside the left bank, Table Rock, is where visitors stand to watch the water.

The drive from Bangalore takes roughly three hours, with Sangama serving as the last major stop along the way. The path to the falls follows unpaved trails along the riverbank, so sturdy footwear is advisable.

When summer lowers the water level, the rock layers that shaped the tight riverbed become visible. Visitors can then see the stone formations that usually stay hidden beneath the surface.