Shivanasamudra Falls, 98-meter waterfall on Kaveri River in Mandya district, India.
Shivanasamudra Falls is a segmented waterfall on the Kaveri River in Mandya district, Karnataka, reaching up to 300 m wide during the monsoon. The river splits around Shivanasamudra island into two drops: Gagana Chukki, which plunges the full 91 m, and Bhara Chukki, with a 69 m drop.
A hydroelectric plant was built here in 1902 and stands as the first of its kind on the Asian continent. The facility supplied power to the Kolar Gold Fields at the time and used the river gradient to generate electricity.
The name derives from Lord Shiva and connects the waterfalls to Hindu narratives, while local fishermen and pilgrims regularly visit the surrounding rocks. Visitors can spot small shrines and offerings along the riverside paths on quieter days, left behind by devotees.
Access is via the Bangalore–Kollegal road, with marked paths leading to both viewing points. The best time to visit is during the monsoon months from July to October, when water volume is highest and both cascades show their full force.
The island town of Shivanasamudra splits the Kaveri into two branches, so Gaganachukki and Bharachukki are a few kilometres apart rather than two halves of one drop. The 1902 station here was Asia's first hydro-electric plant, and a solar plant was added near the falls in 2014.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 92,418 contributors worldwide.
