Barehipani Falls, Two-tiered waterfall in Mayurbhanj district, India
Barehipani Falls is a two-tiered waterfall in Mayurbhanj district, India, tumbling over the cliffs of Simlipal National Park. The Budhabalanga River drops a total of 399 meters (1,309 feet) through a forested canyon, with the upper tier considerably higher than the lower one.
The area around the waterfall gained official protection in 1979 when Simlipal received national park status. British colonial officers had already set aside the forest as a hunting reserve decades earlier, which helped pave the way for later conservation designation.
The name Barehipani comes from the local Santali language, reflecting the region's long connection with forest communities. Older residents recall times when the cascade served as a landmark for hunters and gatherers traveling deep into the Simlipal wilderness.
Visitors must obtain a permit at the park entrance before heading to the waterfall zone. The monsoon months from July to September bring the strongest flow, but trails become slippery and harder to navigate.
Black bears and Indian elephants often visit the shallow pools at the base in the early morning to drink. Travelers who reach the trail at dawn sometimes have the chance to observe these animals from a safe distance.
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