Have You Been To The 455-Metre Tall Kunchikal Falls, India’s Tallest Waterfall?

Hidden in the wild green folds of Karnataka’s Western Ghats is Kunchikal Falls, the tallest waterfall in India. But only a few outside trekking circles even know the name of this beauty. Plunging a staggering 455 meters (1,493 feet) in a long, tiered descent, Kunchikal isn’t just a waterfall; it’s nature’s quiet masterpiece. 

Tallest Waterfalls In India: Kunchikal Falls

The Varahi River, born in these rain-drenched hills, creates Kunchikal Falls as it tumbles down a rocky staircase of boulders. It cliffs near Mastikatte, close to Agumbe, a place legendary for its heavy monsoon downpours. But don’t expect a single dramatic free-fall. Kunchikal doesn’t show off like that. Instead, it takes its time, flowing in a series of elegant steps, as if pausing to admire the view along the way.

This layered drop gives Kunchikal its immense height. What it lacks in thunderous impact, it makes up for with its sheer scale and the wild, forested backdrop. The falls slice through a region alive with biodiversity. If you’re lucky, you might spot leopards, Malabar civets, and sambars swinging through the canopy. 

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A Waterfall Shaped By Human Hands

But did you know Kunchikal Falls, as seen today, isn’t quite the same as it was a century ago? The Varahi Hydroelectric Project has tamed the river to some extent, diverting much of its water to generate electricity. That means the waterfall doesn’t roar year-round. But the river overflows in monsoon season from June to September, and Kunchikal comes alive again, as mighty as ever.

Visiting the falls isn’t as easy as pulling up at a viewpoint. Since it lies inside a restricted area connected to the hydroelectric station, you’ll need special permission from the Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL), which operates the hydroelectric station.

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Why Should We Talk About Kunchikal More?

The tallest waterfall in the country has remained a hidden treasure for too long. If you ever get the chance to stand before Kunchikal Falls during the rains, when the Varahi is in full flow, you’ll understand why it deserves to be spoken of in the same breath as India’s better-known natural wonders. It’s a place that humbles you and stays with you long after you’ve left.

Cover Image Courtesy: tripzygo/website