Kunchikal Falls

Kunchikal Falls is a waterfall in Karnataka where the Varahi River drops 455 meters (1493 feet) in a series of cascades over dark rock formations. The water breaks into several channels as it descends, flowing between large boulders that jut out from the slopes of the Western Ghats.

Construction of the Mani Dam near Masthikatte altered the natural course of the Varahi River and reduced the volume of water flowing over the rocks. Before the dam was built, the falls carried much more water during the monsoon months.

Local communities refer to it as Kunchikal Abbe, a name that reflects the way residents view this force of nature tucked deep in the hills. Visitors who reach it often describe a sense of remoteness, as the site lies far from any road and requires walking through dense forest.

Visitors must obtain special permission to enter the area because it lies within the grounds of a hydroelectric station with controlled access. The path into the forest can be slippery during the rainy season, so sturdy footwear is necessary.

The descent occurs in four separate sections, each divided by massive black rock formations that channel the water in different directions. During the dry season, the flow can shrink to a thin trickle, while monsoon rains transform it into a roaring torrent.