Kudumari Falls is a refreshing sight that awaits trekkers who are adventurous enough to explore the forests of Western Ghats near Kundapura. The waterfall is located in a deep forest near a village called Chaktikal under Kundapura taluk of Udupi district in Karnataka. It lies at a distance of about 93 km from the town of Udupi and about 43 km from Murudeshwar.
The waterfall is also known as Chaktikal Falls and Belligunndi Falls. It is a popular destination for the adventure seekers.
Photographer Rohit
The attraction of Kudumari Falls, Udupi
Kudumari Falls is located in an isolated place, deep within the forests of the Western Ghats. The natural waterfall stands in the midst of scenic beauty. On one side of the waterfall the magnificent coast line of the Arabian Sea is visible. On the other side of the waterfall the green mountains of the Western Ghats beckon visitors to witness the beauty of nature. In between the green mountains the white waterfall dances down like a thin silver line making its way among the overwhelming greenery.
The waterfall has a height of about 300 feet. The waterfall is considered to be among the prime attractions of Kundapura. The beautiful town of Kundapura is full of tourist attractions that include mountain ranges, ancient temples, beaches, options for adventure activities, etc. Kudumari waterfall stands out as a tourist attraction that is a fine blend of adventure and natural beauty.
Trekking to the fascinating Kudumari Falls, Udupi
The Kudumari Falls is situated in the lap of nature. It can only be reached by trekking through the dense forest. For trekkers, Kudumari Falls is a dream destination. It involves a trek of about 4 km through the scenic forests of Western Ghats. The trek also involves jumping over rocks of various sizes while proceeding towards the waterfall.
The waterfall can be accessed by an alternate way too. The bottom of the waterfall can be reached by trekking along the stream from the coastal side. However, this trekking route is an option only during the post monsoon months. This is because the water level recedes during those months and it becomes possible for people to trek through that area. But the trek route through the forest is the preferred route by most trekkers.
Best time to visit Kudumari Falls, Udupi
The best time to visit the waterfall is during the post monsoon months of November to January.
Information for visitors
Trekking to the Kudumari Falls from the Chaktikal village takes more than two hours (one way).
It is better to plan a trek to the waterfall after the rainy season as during the monsoon season the rocks become slippery. Moreover, the forest area becomes full of leeches and that hampers the excitement of trekking. One way to get rid of leeches is to carry salt and lime juice and apply them when needed.
Nearby Tourist Attractions
Kudumari waterfall is located in Kundapura. The area is famous for various other attractions in the vicinity. Some of the main tourist attractions in the areas surrounding the waterfall are:
Koosalli Waterfalls: The Koosalli Falls are located at a distance of just 8 km from the Kudumari Falls. Most people who plan a trip to Kudumari Falls also make it a point to visit the Koosalli Falls. The Koosalli Falls is a series of 6 perennial waterfalls that are a delight to watch.
Trasi: It is a lovely beach situated at a distance of about 12 km from Kundapura. The beach is famous for being a turtle bay. This bay is popular among tourists who visit the beach to watch the turtles laying eggs. During the breeding season several portions of the beach becomes full of eggs laid by turtles. Another attraction of Trasi is the beautiful Coral Island. It is a small island with a size of about 100 metre radius and is located about one kilometre offshore.
Kundapura: It is a coastal hamlet located near the Kudumari falls. The town is well known as a pilgrimage centre due to its various ancient temples. There are idyllic beaches surrounding the town that attract tourists throughout the year. The place has facilities for tourists who would like to experience various adventure activities like mountain climbing, trekking, boating, etc.
Kodi Beach: The Kodi beach offers a majestic view of the Arabian Sea. The beach is located at a distance of about 4 km from Kundapura town. This wonderful beach is surrounded by water on three sides. The beach is ideal for relaxing and spending time in a serene locale. Enjoying the views of sunrise and sunset, walking, sunbathing and swimming are a few activities that can be carried out at the beach.
Hattiangadi: The historical village of Hattiangadi is located about 8 km from Kundapur. The village is famous for the Siddivinayaka temple constructed in the 8th century and various other ancient temples like Gopalakrishna temple, Maraladevi temple, Lokanatheshwara temple, Shankaranarayan temple, Ekantheshwara temple, etc.
Shankaranarayana: It is a village located on the east side of the town of Kundapura. The village is considered to be one of the seven important pilgrimage regions of Hindus. The town has the famous temple of Shankaranarayana. The highlight of the temple is its main idol that exists is in the form of Udbhava Linga. It is a naturally formed linga, considered to be of Lord Shiva and Lord Narayana. The lingam is placed inside the Garbhagudi, which is situated about 1 foot below the ground.
Maravanthe Beach: It is one of the most beautiful beaches of Karnataka. Maravanthe Beach is located at a distance of about 55 km from Udupi. NH-66 runs adjacent to the beach. The Suparnika River flows on the other side of the road and creates a majestic view that is hard to find in any other beach in India. The beach is popular as a destination for water sports.
How to reach Kudumari Falls
An easy way to reach Kudumari Falls is to reach Kundapura first. From Kundapura one can easily proceed for the village of Chaktikal and then to the waterfall located in the lush green forest.
By Air
The nearest airport to reach the waterfall is the Mangalore Airport, also known as the Bajpe Airport. There are several flights that connect Mangalore to various other towns and cities.
By Rail
The nearest railway station for reaching the Kudumari falls is located at Kundapura. The station has several trains that connect it to various parts of the country.
By Road
There are frequent buses available to Kundapura from several cities and towns of Karnataka including Bangalore, Mangalore, Udupi, etc. One can reach the village of Chaktikal from Kundapura by means of local transport like buses and autos.
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