Jog Falls is a waterfall on the Sharavati River in the Western Ghats Siddapur Taluk in Uttara Kannada district, with a vantage point in Shimoga district’s Sagara Taluk. It is India’s second tallest plunge waterfall. It is a segmented waterfall that, depending on the rain and season, transforms into a plunge waterfall. The falls are popular with visitors, and the waterfall database ranks them 36th in the list of free-falling waterfalls, 490th in the list of waterfalls by total height, and 128th in the list of single-drop waterfalls in the world. Jog Falls is formed by the Sharavati, which drops 253 metres, making it the third-highest waterfall in India behind the Nohkalikai Falls in Meghalaya, which drops 335 metres, and the Dudhsagar Waterfalls in Goa, which drops 310 metres. Read more about Jog Falls in Karnataka below.
Sharavathi, a river that springs in the Thirthahalli taluk near Nonabur and flows northwesterly by Fatte petta, receives the Haridravati on the right below Pattaguppe and the Yenne Hole on the left above Barangi. When it reaches the border, it turns to the west, falls down the Falls of Gersoppa, and passes that settlement (technically Geru-Sappe), which is about 30 kilometres away, before emptying into the Arabian Sea near Honnavar in Uttara Kannada. The Sharavati, which flows along a very stony bed approximately 250 yards wide, reaches a huge chasm, 290 metres deep, and the waterfalls in four different falls. The Raja Fall cascades in a single uninterrupted column sheer to a depth of 250 metres.
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Jog Falls in Karnataka
Halfway down, it is met by the Roarer, another fall that precipitates itself into a large cup and then rushes furiously downwards at a 45-degree angle to meet the Raja. The Rocket, a third fall, blasts downward in a succession of jets, while the Rani, a fourth fall, glides softly across the slope in a sheet of foam. The Tourism Department has constructed stairs from the lookout to the foot of the hill, where the waterfall may be viewed on the opposite side of the hill. There are approximately 1400 steps built to reach the bottom of the hill.
Alternate Names | Gersoppa Falls, Jogada Gundi, Gerusoppe Falls, Joga Falls |
Location | Sagara Taluk, Shimoga District, Karnataka |
Type | Waterfall, adventure |
Elevation | 1522 feet |
Waterfall Height | 830 feet |
Timings | 7:30 AM to 9:30 PM |
Best Time to Visit | June to September/ Monsoon season |
Activities | Trekking, photography, laser show, musical karanji, river rafting, boating, kayaking |
Time Needed | 2-3 hours |
Entry Fee | INR 10 per person |
Parking Fee | INR 30 |
Personal Guide charges | INR 400 |
Nearest Airport | Hubli Airport (162 km) |
Nearest Railway Station | Sagara Railway Station (28 km), Shimoga Railway Station (101 km) |
Nearest Bus Station | Sagara Private Bus Station (27 km) |
About Jog Falls
Jog Falls 830 feet from a height of 830 feet into a steep canyon in four distinct segments/ streams. Each of these segments/streams has its own name. Raja (King) discharges a single continuous jet of water to the bottom. Rani (Queen) has a sinuous and zigzag stream, exactly like a feminine dancer. It has a beautiful milky flow, similar to a sheet of foam. Roarer collides with a number of rocks throughout its descent and fiercely rushes downwards to meet the base, thus the name. Rocket blasts down in a succession of jets from a tiny hole at breakneck speed.
Jog Falls in Karnataka is primarily rain-fed, and you may view it at its best during the monsoon season (from May to September). During the dry season, two of Jog Falls’ four streams dry up, and the waterfall is reduced to a pair of narrow streams trickling down the rock. Linganamakki dam, Karnataka’s largest dam, was erected across the Sharavathi River in 1964. Since then, the water intake to the falls has been significantly reduced each summer as the dam’s gates are closed during the summer months.
Significance of Jog Falls
The adjacent Linganamakki Dam, which spans the Sharavati River, is linked to the waterfall. The power plant has been in service since 1948 and has a capacity of 120 MW, making it one of the largest hydroelectric stations in India at the time and a minor supplier of electricity for Karnataka now. The power station was originally known as the Krishna Rajendra hydro-electric project, after the then-King of Mysore. Later, the name was changed to Mahatma Gandhi Hydro-electric Project. Until 1960, it was supplied by the Hirebhaskara dam. Linganmakki Dam has been used for power generation since 1960, according to the ideas of Mokshagundam Visvesvarayya. The Mysore administration thought of the hydroelectric project in mid-1943. A system was devised to produce 64,000 horsepower at a cost of 358 lakh. The capacity was later expanded and now generates 6.7 MW of power.
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How to reach Jog Falls
Jog Falls is located on the Shimoga-North Kanara boundary, 100 kilometres (62 miles) from Shimoga city. The Sharavati river originates in the Western Ghats and cascades from a height of 829 feet (253 m) in four spectacular cascades known as Raja, Rani, Roarer, and Rocket. Jog Falls, India’s highest waterfall, is located in deep evergreen forests 16 kilometres (9.9 miles) from Talguppa’s closest railway station in Shimoga district, Karnataka.
Via Air
The nearest airport to Jog Falls, Karnataka is Hubballi (about 130 kilometres away from Jog Falls). You may take a cab from Hubballi airport to Jog Falls or take a state-run bus from the Hubballi bus stop to Jog Falls.
Via Rail
The nearest railway station to Jog Falls, Karnataka is Talaguppa (about 14 kilometres away from Jog Falls). Talaguppa is well connected by train to Bengaluru (Bangalore), Mysore, Shimoga, and Sagara. The British constructed the metre gauge rail route between Shimoga and Talaguppa in the late 1930s. The Sagara railway station is the second nearest railway station to the Jog Falls, about 30 kilometres away. If you are travelling from the north, you may take a train to the Hubballi railway station in Karnataka. Shimoga may be accessed by road from Hubballi, from whence you can take a rail or cab to Talaguppa.
Via Road
Jog Falls in Karnataka is well-connected by well-maintained, smooth roads from both sides – Honnavar and Shimoga/ Sagara. Jog Falls in Karnataka is 85 kilometres from the temple town of Murudeshwar and 111 kilometres from the beach resort town of Gokarna. Gokarna, Murudeshwar, and Jog Falls make for an excellent road trip. Jog Falls is also a wonderful road trip from Bengaluru (Bangalore), which is around 410 kilometres away from Jog Falls.
Best Time to Visit the Falls
The monsoon season is unquestionably the finest time to explore Karnataka’s, Jog Falls. So, the months of August to October are ideal for visiting Jog Falls in Karnataka. During this time, the weather will be wet, foggy, and misty, so have your raincoats and umbrellas available and wait for the clouds to pass away from the waterfall. If you visit the waterfall during the other months, you may only see a small stream of water pouring down the slope. We would not recommend visiting Jog Falls during the summer months because of the heat and humid weather and the thin stream in the waterfalls
Best Places to Stay near the Falls
- KSTDC Hotel Mayura Gerusoppa, Jog falls
- Prakruthi Yatri Niwas Lodge, Near Rani falls
- Sharavathi Adventure Camp, Jog falls
- PWD Guest House, Jog Falls
Things to Do
The height and position of Jog Falls make it a popular destination for hikers, water sports enthusiasts, and tranquilly seekers. Among the prominent activities available here are:
- Trekking: This hike is a little different from the others. Rather than through deep forests or plantations, you must descend roughly 1400 stairs to reach the waterfall’s base. You may enjoy beautiful views of the waterfall and its environs once you reach the bottom. The trip is worthwhile despite being a little slick and exhausting
- Camping and water activities: The adventure camps around the waterfall organise a variety of water activities such as river rafting, kayaking, coracle rides, and other sports
- Bird-watching: Jog Falls is a bird paradise, the watcher since it is home to a variety of migrating species
- Keep your camera available to snap breathtaking views of the falls and surrounding greenery. The waterfall offers two viewing decks from which to capture some stunning vistas
Attractions Near Jog Falls
You may explore other local sites after visiting Jog Falls. Here is a list of the distances between Jog Falls and the major attractions:
- Dwimukhi Chamundeshwari Temple (5 km)
- Raja Stone (6 km)
- Kallu Sanka (7 km)
- Talakalale Balancing Reservoir (11 km)
- Thyvare Koppa Lion and Tiger Reserve (12 km)
- Linganamakki Dam (12 km)
- Bangara Kusuma (27 km)
- Dabbe Falls (33 km)
- Bangaramakki Veeranjaneya Temple (36 km)
- Unchalli Falls (54 km)
- Sharavati Valley Wildlife Sanctuary (85 km)
Conclusion
Jog Falls is becoming a popular location for people looking for a break from the city’s heat and commotion. People from Bangalore, Mangalore, and other surrounding cities visit the falls to spend quality time in nature and participate in various adventure activities. You may even arrange a weekend vacation to explore Jog Falls and other nearby sites.
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