Karnataka is a land blessed with a number of waterfalls. Among them the Dabbe Falls of Shimoga is known for its beauty and serenity. The waterfall is situated near Hosagadde village under Sagar taluk in the Shimoga district of Karnataka.
Dabbe falls are naturally cascading falls that offer an enchanting view to visitors. Being a part of the Sharavati Valley of the lush green Western Ghats the waterfall is surrounded by a landscape of pristine beauty. The sound of the water as it gushes down the rocks in a steep descent and the resplendent atmosphere are hard to forget for anyone who visits the Dabbe Falls.
Dabbe Falls – A heaven for nature lovers
Dabbe Falls are a delight for any nature lover. The obvious reasons are the wide expanse of greenery surrounding the waterfall due to the mountains of the Western Ghats, a trail through a dense forest to reach the waterfall, an unpolluted environment that is tucked far away from the noise and pollution of city life and the steep fall of water that descends with great velocity before it calms down to flow quietly.
The waterfall is also known as Kepjoga in the native language as it makes a lot of sound while gushing down the rocks.
Legends associated with Dabbe Falls, Shimoga
There are quite a few legends associated with the region surrounding this particular waterfall in Shimoga. According to one legend, during the time of Ramayana, it was in Sharavati that Lord Rama had broken the bow to win the hand of Sita as his bride.
The place is associated with another epic of the Hindus as well. Legend has it that during Mahabharata, Bheema (the second brother among the Pandavas) had visited the region on his way to Sougandhikapushpa in order to get his wife Draupadi. It was this place where Bheema had worshipped Lord Shiva and obtained a boon from him. A temple situated in this region stands as a testament of the incident.
The delights of trekking to Dabbe Falls, Shimoga
The waterfall can be reached only by trekking through the dense forest. The trek covers a distance of about 7 to 9 km. The trail is as beautiful as it is challenging. The last one kilometre of the trek is especially challenging as the trail is a descent that is inclined to almost 80 degrees at some places and there are no proper steps or stairs to place the foot on while negotiating the risky path. The branches and roots of trees and the rocks are the only help available in that part of the trek.
One thing to note is that before starting on this final part of the trek visitors have to pass through some vegetable farms with a small house nearby. Visitors wishing to trek to the waterfall are required to put down their names and details in a record book that is kept with the owner of the house. The record book is provided by the forest department.
The officers of the forest department want to keep track of all the visitors who venture down to the waterfall. In case anybody fails to return from the waterfall the forest department will be informed and then further action will be taken to find out the person.
The downhill trek takes about 30 to 45 minutes to reach, depending on the expertise of the trekkers. However, the amazing sight of the waterfall makes the effort worth it.
Activities possible at Dabbe Falls, Shimoga
The best activity possible at the Dabbe Falls is to stand under the cold water and take a relaxing shower. The cold and clean water of the falls can leave you refreshed and rejuvenated. Apart from enjoying a bath you can go about photographing the beauty of nature. The surrounding greenery, the roaring waterfall and the large rocks can be the ideal subjects for a great photography session.
In case you are not much interested in going around with a camera, you can simply sit back and relax while dipping your legs in the cold water of the falls.
The wonderful feeling associated with sitting beside the waterfall and listening to the music of the birds can only be experienced after reaching the spot. No amount of description can capture the essence of such moments.
Best time to visit Dabbe Falls, Shimoga
The best time to visit the waterfall is during the months of October to December.
For the adventurous trekkers the ideal time to visit the Dabbe Falls is during the months of May to July, when the volume of water at the falls increases due to the monsoons. During the early monsoon months the trek can be completed with some difficulty. However, during heavy rainfall trekking to the waterfall becomes very much challenging as the rocks become slippery and the descending trail to the waterfall becomes a big risk.
Tourist attractions nearby Dabbe Falls, Shimoga
Shimoga is a district that has a lot to offer for the tourists and adventure seekers. A trip to the Dabbe Falls can be easily clubbed with other destinations that lie in the areas surrounding the waterfall. Among the nearby tourist attractions are:
- Jog Falls: Jog Falls is the second highest plunge waterfall in India. The segmented waterfall is created by the waters of River Sharavati. The magnificent waterfall has a height of around 253 metres. It is located at a distance of about 100 km from Shimoga town.
- Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary: The bird sanctuary is situated at a distance of about 30 km from the town of Shimoga. The bird sanctuary is situated on an island and is frequented by a variety of exotic species of migratory birds.
- Gajanur Dam: The Gajanur Dam is situated at a distance of 12 km from Shimoga, in the village of Gajanur. It is built across the River Tunga. The place is well known as a picnic spot.
- Sakrebailu Elephant Camp: It is a training camp of elephants. The camp is located at a distance of 14 km from Shimoga and on the banks of River Tunga. The camp is a fantastic place to watch the elephants from the nearby forests assemble and play in the water.
- Kodachadri Peak: It is a mountain peak in the Western Ghats. It is also known as Kudajadri peak and has been declared as a natural heritage site by the Government of Karnataka. Located at a distance of 115 km from Shimoga town Kodachadri is home to several endangered species of flora and fauna. It also has the Sarvajna Peetha, which is believed to be the meditating place of Adi Shankaracharya.
Information for visitors to Dabbe Falls
Visitors who are enthusiastic about going on a trek to the lovely waterfall must remember a few things before they step out for the journey.
Trekking to the Dabbe Falls alone is not a good idea. It is better to go in a group while trekking to the waterfall. A trip in summer is always better as the trek route remains dry and there are no leeches in summer. During the monsoon season the forest area surrounding the waterfall becomes full of leeches.
A trip to the waterfall must include ropes for climbing up and down the steep trek. The waterfall is situated in the midst of a forest area where there are no shops nearby. Hence it is advisable to carry snacks and water. Trekking to the waterfall after 2 pm is risky as coming back before evening may not be possible. The waterfall is an isolated place surrounded by dense forests and can only be reached through a steep trek route. Therefore, camping at the waterfall site for the night is not a safe idea.
How to reach Dabbe Falls
To reach Dabbe Falls one can avail several means of transport. However, the last part of the journey will have to be covered on foot.
By Air
The nearest airport to reach the Dabbe Falls is the Mangalore International Airport. It has connectivity to several cities and towns across India and beyond. From the airport visitors can hire cabs or taxis to reach the village of Hosagadde and start trekking towards the waterfall.
By Rail
The village of Hosagadde does not have a railway station of its own. The nearest railway stations are the Honnavar Rail Way Station and the Manki Halt Rail Way Station. Madgaon Railway Station is a major station located near the Hosagadde village.
By Road
There are no direct buses that operate between Bangalore and Dabbe Falls. The KSRTC buses give stoppage on the main road which is about 9 km away from the waterfall. Private vehicles or hired cabs can go further towards the waterfall for a distance of about 3 km. After that, the trek route is the only option left to reach the waterfall.
Also See:
- Other Water falls in Karnataka
- Dams in Karnataka
- Rivers in Karnataka
- Trekking in Karnataka
- About Shimoga