Jomlu Theertha is a lovely waterfall created by River Sita. It is located in the Someshwara Wildlife Range near the Belve village in the Udupi district of Karnataka. The waterfall is situated at a distance of about 40 km from the town of Udupi.
Jomlu Theertha is a small waterfall with a height of about 20 feet. It is the second waterfall created by the River Sita, the first one being the Koodlu Theertha Falls in the Hassan district.
Photographer Rakshith Birthi
The charm of Jomlu Theertha Falls, Udupi
Jomlu Theertha Falls is a picturesque waterfall situated in the midst of natural beauty. The cool water, the chirping of birds and the calm atmosphere add to the charm of the falls.
The place is perfect for weekend getaways with family and friends. It is a preferred picnic spot of the local people who want to break free from the monotonous schedule. The refreshing and everlasting beauty of the waterfall attracts a lot of visitors on a regular basis. The white water rushing down the rocks and the surrounding greenery is a visual treat for anyone visiting the spot.
The beautiful waterfall is ideal for taking a bath in its refreshing water. However, caution must be exercised by visitors during the monsoon season. In fact, it is better not to enter the water during the rainy season. For those who want to enjoy a bath in the water of the falls, it is advisable to visit the place after the monsoon season.
Information for visitors
Visiting the waterfall during the monsoon season is not a good idea. The area surrounding the waterfall becomes inundated with leeches. The rocks become slippery and hence, reaching to the spot becomes risky.
There are no shops near the waterfall. As such, it is advisable to carry food and water while on a trip to visit the waterfall. Visitors can carry fishing rods and try their hands at fishing in the water of the river.
Swimming is strictly prohibited in the water of the falls as the current is very strong here. There have been several instances where people have lost their lives due to drowning in the water of the Jomlu Theertha Falls. It is better to leave the spot before night falls.
Best time to visit the Jomlu Theertha Falls, Udupi
The best season to visit the Jomlu Theertha Falls is during the post monsoon season of November to April, though a lot of adventure seekers throng the place in the rainy season too. The post monsoon months have a pleasant temperature and are ideal for sightseeing.
Attractions near the Jomlu Theertha Falls, Udupi
There are quite a few tourist attractions in the areas near the waterfall. Some of the popular tourist attractions near the falls are:
Malpe Beach: It is a natural port located at a distance of about 6 km from Udupi. The Malpe beach is known for its pristine beauty, golden sand and turquoise blue waters. The lovely palm trees lining the beach enhance its beauty. Tourists can enjoy boating, fishing or sun bathing on the beautiful beach. The beach is also a famous fishing harbour.
St. Mary’s Island: These are a group of four small islands in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Malpe and at a distance of 7 km from Udupi. The islands are famous for their distinctive formation of columnar basaltic rocks. The islands are considered as geological monuments since this is perhaps the only place in India where basalt rocks can be found with such peculiar formations.
Koodlu Theertha Falls: Koodlu Theertha Falls is located at a distance of about 47 km from Jomlu Theertha Falls. Nestled deep with the forests of Western Ghats this waterfall drops down from a height of about 300 feet. The waterfall is formed by River Sita and is a great destination for trekking.
Kaup Beach: It is a fascinating coastal belt in India. The beach is situated at a distance of 12 km from Udupi. The main attractions of the beach include a 100 feet high lighthouse that stands on a small hill and the picturesque beauty of the place dotted with palm trees. Tourists throng the beach to witness lovely sunsets.
Udupi Sri Krishna Temple: It is a very famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. Located in the town of Udupi the Sri Krishna temple resembles an ashram or math. It is an ancient shrine that was constructed more than 1500 years ago. The temple is made of wood and stone. A very unique feature of the temple is that the presiding deity is worshipped only through a window that has nine holes in it.
Brahmavar: Brahmavar or Brahmavara is an ancient cultural centre located at a distance of 13 km from Udupi. The place is well known due to the presence of three famous temples of Hindus namely, Gopinatha temple, Mahalinga temple and the Janardhana shrine. The Suvarna and Sita rivers form lovely backwaters around Brahmavar and have boating facilities.
How to reach Jomlu Theertha Falls
The Jomlu Theertha Falls is easily accessible. The waterfall is located in a place that is well connected by several means of transport.
By Air
The nearest airport to reach the waterfall is located at Mangalore at a distance of about 78 km. The Mangalore Airport has several flights operating out of it on a daily basis. There are cabs and taxis available that can be hired for reaching the waterfall from the airport.
By Rail
To reach the waterfalls the nearest railway station is the Kundapura Railway Station that stands at a distance of about 35 km. The Udupi Railway Station is located at a distance of about 40 km from the waterfall.
By Road
The waterfall is located on the Brahmvar-Hebri road that is at a distance of 40 km from Udupi, 25 km from Agumbe and 12 km from Hebri. There are direct buses that operate between Bangalore and Hebri. There are buses for Hebri from Udupi also. From Hebri visitors can hire local means of transport for reaching the waterfalls.
Also See:
- Other Water falls in Karnataka
- Dams in Karnataka
- Rivers in Karnataka
- Trekking in Karnataka
- About Udupi