Shivanasamudra Waterfalls: Weekend Getaways

The monsoon is the time of the year to visit the magnificent Shivanasamudra waterfalls, more popularly known as Bluff. If you happen to be visiting Bangalore, you certainly should make a trip to this lovely cascade just about 145 km from the Garden City. A couple of friends who came down to Bangalore last week wanted to visit Bluff, so off we went to the place where the Cauvery plummets nearly 350 feet with a loud roar. The two cascades, Bharachukki and Gaganachukki, comprise the Shivanasamudra waterfalls. You can also visit Shivanasamudra from Mysore, which is just about 70 km away from the place.

Shivanasamudra-Falls  (Photo Courtesy: transindiatravels)

If you thought Shivanasamudra’s only claim to fame was the waterfalls, think again. The place is known for its historic hydro-electric power station, which was Asia’s first such power station. The power station was set up back in 1902, and KGF became the first town to receive electricity from this station.

Refreshment @ Shivanasamudra-Falls  (Photo Courtesy: sakalakalavallavan.blogspot.com)

The rocks, the water and the lush greenery of the region make for a great weekend getaway with family and friends. You could bring some food along with you because the place doesn’t have too many restaurants. Get your picnic hampers and enjoy a nice snack or a meal in a nearby field. Don’t miss the coracle rides available at the Bharachukki falls. We had great fun during the boat ride. At Gaganachukki you are not allowed to get close to the water. You can go up to the watch tower for a nice view of the twin waterfalls. Plenty of photo opportunities there!

Coracle ride at Shivanasamudra  (Photo Courtesy: korikkar.blogspot.com)

Fun along the way

• If you happen to take the Mysore Road route, then there are plenty of places to stop along the way, starting from Janapada Loka, which is a centre for folk arts and crafts, as you approach Ramanagara.
• There are also many eateries along the Bangalore-Mysore Road for you to enjoy a nice breakfast if you start off early in the morning.
• You could stop over at Channapatna and buy some lacquer toys from there.
• Stop at Maddur and get a taste of the famed Maddur vada; this one’s highly recommended.
• There are also some nice temples along the way you could explore, from the famed Aprameyaswamy Temple at Dodda Mallur to the Somanathapura temple. While most people go to Shivanasamudra for the waterfalls, the place is also home to the Ranganathaswamy temple, one of the three temples dedicated to Lord Ranganatha, the others two being Srirangapatna and Srirangam.
• You could also visit Talakad from here, but we saved it for another day, because we wanted to enjoy the cascades in all their glory.

Kanakapura route

You can even take the Kanakapura Road route to reach Shivanasamudra via Malavalli from where Shivanasamudra is about 25 km. The best time to visit Shivanasamudra is between June and September. You could make Bangalore your base and take a one-day trip to Shivanasamudra; the journey is as interesting as the destination. There are plenty of hotels in Bangalore for you to stay and the weather is generally pleasant all year round.

Which are your favourite weekend getaways from Bangalore?

Nandi Hills

Ramanagara

Wonderla Amusement Park

Shivanasamudra Waterfalls

Manchanbele

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