Shivanasamudra Falls, 98-meter waterfall on Kaveri River in Mandya district, India.
Shivanasamudra Falls is a waterfall on the Kaveri River in the Mandya district of Karnataka, spanning 305 meters in width. The water divides through a rocky island into two separate segments, with Gaganachukki being taller and narrower, while Bharachukki flows wider across multiple tiers.
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.
A rainbow forms on sunny afternoons over the mist when light breaks through the water droplets. The viewing angle from the lower platform at Bharachukki shows this phenomenon especially clearly when the sun is positioned at the right angle.
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