Jaramadagu Falls is a seasonal waterfall situated in the midst of greenery. The waterfall is located in the forest area of Ketenajhalli in the Chikkaballapur district of Karnataka. It is one of the driest districts of Karnataka. The 2 tiered waterfall drops down from a height of 90 feet amidst five mountains namely, Brahmagiri, Divyagiri, Nandagiri, Skandagiri and Vishnugiri.
Jaramadagu Falls cascading down the rocks makes a deafening roar during the monsoon season. The sound of water breaks the silence of an otherwise quite forest and can be heard from afar.
Jaramadagu Falls: The Jog of Chikkaballapur
It is a miracle of Mother Nature that a drought prone district like Chikkaballapur is blessed with a lovely waterfall like the Jaramadagu. Looking at the greenery surrounding the waterfall it is tough to believe that the place receives below average annual rainfall. In fact the trail to the waterfall passing through the dense forest area of Ketenajhalli is marked with small streams.
Jaramadagu Falls is also known as Chikkaballapur’s Jog. Just as Jog Falls is considered to be the most famous waterfall of Karnataka, the Jaramadagu Falls is the most famous one in this part of the state. The waterfall gains momentum in the monsoon season when the rain gives boost to the water level in the Chikkaballapur valley. During the monsoon season the waterfall is surrounded by a lovely mist that enhances the beauty of the falls.
Trekking to Jaramadagu Falls
The route to the waterfall can be approached in vehicles till a certain point after which visitors have to cover the remaining part on foot. The last point to which one can travel in a vehicle is located near the village of Jangamarappanahalli. From this last point the waterfall can be approached through two routes – the first one is a short route of about 1.5 km but involves a difficult trek and the second one is a long route of about 3 km but it involves an easier trek as compared to the shorter route. The shorter route passes through a few fields of ragi and horse gram before the trail leads to a track that passes through a forest area that is not very dense. The longer route takes one through the forest area marked with lovely trees and a few small streams. The longer route is also the more scenic among the two routes. Though the trek of 3 km can be a bit tiring, the sight of the beautiful waterfall refreshes visitors of their fatigue instantly.
Best time to visit Jaramadagu Falls
The monsoon season is the best time to visit the waterfall. The duration of June to February is the time when the waterfall flows with full force and visitors can get a spectacular view of the falls. During the summer season the waterfall dries up and only the rocks can be viewed at the sight.
Information for visitors
It is wise to carry food and water along with you while visiting the waterfall. The last point where one can get decent food is at Ckikkaballapur. After that there are just a few small eateries and roadside shops that sell a few varieties of eatables.
It is advisable to visit the waterfall early in the morning as the place often gets crowded after mid-day during weekends.
One important thing to remember is that though the waterfall is located in Karnataka, most of the local people residing around this place speak only in the Telugu language.
Nearby Attractions
There are several interesting places that one can visit while exploring this part of the state. Some of the tourist attractions in the region surrounding the waterfall are:
Gudibande Fort: The fort is located in the Chikkaballapur district. Gudibande fort is a multi-level structure that was constructed about 400 years ago. The fort was built in a grand style by a local chieftain called Byre Gowda. According to the local legends Byre Gowda used to rob the rich people and help the poor with the looted money. The ruined fort has many secret passage built inside it. The fort had a perfect system of rainwater harvesting even 400 years ago. There are 19 rock ponds inside the fort that exists at different levels.
Kaurava Kunda: Kaurava Kunda twin peaks are visible from the Jaramadagu Falls. The twin hills are located at a short distance from the waterfall. The hills are ideal for trekking and camping. The hills have a height of about 250 metres. The climb to the top is easy as a flight of steps lead to the pinnacle. There is a temple at the summit that is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Several species of birds and butterflies can be sighted at Kaurava Kunda.
Nandi Hills: Nandi Hills is an ancient hill fortress located in the Chikkaballapur district. Nandi Hills offers plenty of opportunities for trekking. There are several trekking trails leading to the fort situated on the hillock. The view of the surroundings from the top of the hill is simply splendid. The Nandi Hills are also known as Nandi Durg or Nandi Betta.
Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple: The Bhoga Nandeeshwara temple is located near the Nandi Hills of Chikkaballapur district. The temple is considered to be one of the oldest temples in Karnataka. The original temple was constructed in the 9th century by Bana Queen Ratnavali and was later renovated many times. The temple is famous for its ancient style of architecture. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
Vidurashwatha: It is a historical village located in the Chikkaballapur district. Vidurashwatha is regarded as the Jallianwala Bagh of South India. On 25th April 1938 a group of villagers had gathered in Vidurashwatha to organize a Satyagraha as a part of the freedom struggle of the country. But, as just it had happened in case of Jallianwala Bagh, the police had fired indiscriminately at the unarmed villagers in this case too. It caused the death of 10 people. A memorial was erected at the location in memory of the people who lost their lives in the firing.
How to reach Jaramadagu Falls
Reaching the Jaramadagu Falls is an easy matter as it is located near Bangalore. As such, there are a lot of options regarding the means of transport to reach the spot.
By Air
The nearest airport to reach the waterfall is the Bangalore International Airport. The airport caters to all kinds of destinations, national and international. From the airport visitors can avail prepaid taxis or hire cabs to reach the waterfall.
By Rail
The nearest railway station is the Chikkaballapur Railway Station. There are regular trains from Bangalore to Chikkaballapur. From the station visitors can access local means of transport to reach the waterfall. The Mysore Railway Station is another station that can be accessed to reach the waterfall.
By Road
Chikkaballapur is well connected by bus service. There are frequent buses that connect Chikkaballapur to various towns and cities of Karnataka. There are taxis and buses available for reaching the waterfall from Chikkaballapur. One can also travel to the location of the waterfall in bikes from Bangalore or Mysore.
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