Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Barachukki Falls – Magical Scene on the Cauvery!!

Barachukki Falls is a huge bundle of water that falls from the wide rocky cliffs of the Cauvery River. This falls is one of the facades of the Shivanasamudra Falls. The other facade, the Gaganachukki falls is located to the other side some kilometres away.


The Barachukki waterfalls tumbles down from a spectacular height of 250 feet and has a ‘U’ cross section, that makes it look like a mini Niagara.


When I was there last Sunday, the spectacle was inspiring, but the amount of water wasn’t. In fact, the water was so less, that a lot of people were happily taking a shower under the mini waterfall.


Unlike the Gaganachukki Falls, the Barachukki is smaller in height, but wider in cross-section. And unlike the Gaganachukki, one can climb the 350 odd steep steps to reach the base of the waterfall.

 
This place offers more for the fun-loving tourists. You get some exercise in ascending and descending the 350 odd steep steps. Then, you get to sample the freshly caught fish that is stir fried and seasoned to your taste.


Then, you can go on a coracle boat ride on the pool of water in front of the waterfall. The boat charges are something like 100 rupees for a 30 minute ride for 4 people.


The most interesting feature of this coracle boat ride is that it takes you right up to the waterfall. You can get drenched if you want to. You can even go take a shower under the waterfall, go for a swim or take a simple dip.

 
For all those who don’t know what a coracle is…A coracle is a round boat that looks like an inverted coconut shell and is the only boat form used on the Cauvery river which is known for its rough waters and whirlpools. It is made out of bamboo and animal hide. It is pretty tough and hence hugely popular in the Cauvery belt.

 
The entire terrain around the waterfall is extremely green all round the year and hence is very pleasing to the eye.


Overall, this place offers a great retreat for a day trip and is truly a magical scene on the Cauvery!!

14 comments:

  1. Looks great but I'd expected to see little more water, considering recent heavy rains. We're heading towards Mysore this month end... Looking forward to it

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  2. That's a great outdoor place for weekend. Next time on my trip to B'lore, I have many places in my list.

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  3. heavy rains...where? when?...We hardly got any rains in blore...and as u can see...no rains in the catchment areas too...mysore should be good fun...the weather will be brilliant...hopefully we will get some rain and soon...

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  4. Yes, it sure is a place to have great fun!

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  5. This waterfall must be spectacular during the rainy season. The waterfalls around us have a reduced flow now -- we'll have to wait until winter to see them in their glory. However, this looks like a wonderful place to visit at any time.

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  6. Thomas (walkthewilderness.net)July 21, 2010 at 9:27 PM

    Lovely images, it looks like HDR compositions. Awesome

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  7. Wow! Awesome place! A real magical place. Water flowing to the pool from all sides right?
    Thanks for sharing this.

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  8. Well...you can say 270 degrees....that is like a 'U'.

    Such magical places are meant to be shared with the entire world :-)

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  9. Thank you Thomas! Yes, some of them are HDR compositions.

    Keep dropping by. I love your wildlife pictures.

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  10. Yes, George, the waterfall should look spectacular in the rainy season, but it is the rainy season here in India now. Hence, it is very dis-heartening to see the less volume of water in the waterfall.

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  11. wonderful pictures, i love waterfalls, and it is so joyful to see people taking a shower by the waterfall, i missed doing that in the Philippines.

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  12. Thank you Betchai. Taking a shower in a waterfall is pretty common in India.

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  13. I LOST MY FRIEND TO THIS FALLS YESTERDAY PLEASE DONT GO SWIMMING IN THIS FALLS.........

    MY FRIEND WILL ALWAYS BE KNOWN AS NUMBER 48...
    48TH TO DROWN IN BHARACHUKKI FALLS THIS YEAR (2011)...
    PLEASE SPREAD AWARENESS SO THAT SOME KIND OF PRECAUTIONS CAN BE TAKEN.. AND OFFICIALS WAKE UP,,,

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  14. That is so sad to hear. I hope things get better at Barachukki and I am all for generating awareness.

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