Jog Falls is located on the Shimoga-North Kanara border, 100 kilometers from Shimoga city.
The Sharavati river originates in the Western Ghats and cascades from a height of 829 feet in four spectacular cascades known as Raja, Rani, Roarer, and Rocket. India’s tallest waterfall is located in deep evergreen forests 16 kilometers from Talguppa’s closest railway station in Shimoga district, Karnataka.
This waterfall can easily be reached by National Highways 48 or 4. The wild and picturesque terrain surrounding it, covered in a plethora of lush flora, amplifies the impression significantly.
The stairs carved into the rocks will take you to the bottom of the fall and shower you with a vaporous spray that bounces off the rocks.
During the monsoon season, the Jog falls in torrents, making for a beautiful spectacle with rainbows every now and again. When the Linganmakki dam’s sluice gates are closed, one may take an adventurous stroll to the bottom of the canyon. The Jog is best visited in the winter when the sky is free of mist. Shimoga city is well connected by trains and roads. A variety of government and private buses run between Shimoga and Jog Falls.
Jog Falls, also known as Gerusoppaa Falls, is India’s tallest untiered waterfall. It drops directly to the rocks rather than flowing over them. The season of best flow and the optimum time to visit is believed to be August-December. Jog is 30 kilometers from Sagara and 379 kilometers from Bangalore.
The adjacent Linganmakki Dam, which spans the Sharavathi River and acts as a hydroelectric power facility, is linked to the waterfall. The power plant, which has been in service since 1949, is one of India’s largest hydroelectric facilities, with a capacity of 1200 MW, and a key supplier of electricity for Karnataka.
The power station was originally known as the Krishna Rajendra hydroelectric project, after the then-King of Mysore. Later, the name was changed to Mahatma Gandhi Hydro-electric Project. Until 1960, it was supplied by the Hirebhaskara dam. Linganmakki Dam, erected over the Sharavathi River, has been used for power generation since 1960 due to Sir M. Visvesvarayya’s idea.
Let’s dive into what we can Experience in Jog Falls.
With an 830-foot drop, Jog Falls is India’s second-highest plunge waterfall (the first being Nohkalikai Falls in Cherrapunji, Meghalaya). It is, without a doubt, the greatest waterfall we have ever seen. The magnificent waterfall prompted us to believe that the water and rocks are so tenacious that they labor nonstop all day. On this page, you will find detailed information on how to get to Jog Falls, directions to the falls, descriptions of the many perspectives, places to visit around Jog Falls, and places to stay near Jog Falls in Karnataka.
How to Get to Jog Falls
Air: The nearest airport to Jog Falls, Karnataka, is Hubballi (about 130 kilometers away from Jog Falls). You may take a cab from Hubballi airport to Jog Falls or take a state-run bus from Hubballi bus stop to Jog Falls.
Road: Jog Falls, Karnataka, is well-connected by well-laid smooth roads on both sides — Honnavar and Shimoga/Sagara. Jog Falls in Karnataka is 85 kilometers from the temple town of Murudeshwar and 111 kilometers from the beach resort town of Gokarna. Gokarna, Murudeshwar, and Jog Falls make for an excellent road trip. Jog Falls is also a wonderful road trip from Bengaluru (Bangalore), around 410 kilometers away from Jog Falls.
Rail: The nearest railway station to Jog Falls, Karnataka, is Talaguppa (about 14 kilometers away from Jog Falls). Talaguppa is well connected by train to Bengaluru (Bangalore), Mysore, Shimoga, and Sagara. The British constructed the meter gauge rail route between Shimoga and Talaguppa in the late 1930s. The Sagara railway station is the second nearest railway station to the Jog Falls, about 30 kilometers away. If you are traveling from the north, you may board a train to the Hubballi railway station in Karnataka. Shimoga may be accessed by road from Hubballi, from whence you can take a rail or cab to Talaguppa.
Jog Falls falls 830 feet from a height of 830 feet into a steep canyon in four distinct segments/streams. Each of these segments/streams has its own name. Raja (King) discharges a single continuous jet of water to the bottom. Rani (Queen) has a curved and zigzag stream, exactly like a feminine dancer.
It has a beautiful milky flow, similar to a sheet of foam. Roarer collides with several rocks throughout its descent and fiercely rushes downwards to meet the base, thus the name. Rocket pours out of a tiny aperture at breakneck speed and shoots downward in a sequence of jigsaw puzzles.
Also Read, Waterfalls Near Bangalore, Every Nature lover must visit
Viewpoints at Jog Falls
The nicest part about Jog Falls is that it offers breathtaking views from a variety of vantage points. We’ve compiled a list of the top three Jog Falls views in Karnataka, India.
Jog Falls viewpoint at Hotel Mayura, Gerusoppa:
This is the primary viewpoint that provides a spectacular view of Jog Falls in Karnataka, India. The Karnataka Tourism Department’s (KTDC) Hotel Mayura, Gerusoppa, is located here. You must pay INR 10 per person at the entry to this campus, INR 20 for each two-wheeler, and INR 50 per four-wheeler. The school parking lot is enormous and can easily accommodate hundreds of automobiles.
The viewpoint is a semi-circular concrete platform that offers a breathtaking view of the cascade from several perspectives. The perspective is spacious and open, with lots of tin-roofed shelters if it rains (usually the case!). Several stores around sell umbrellas, raincoats, towels, food packs, drinks, freshly made Maggi, tea, coffee, and small meals. The Mayura restaurant is also on campus. Within the campus, there are common toilets and bath facilities. You may get to this viewpoint by taking a bus from Talaguppa railway station or Sagara to Jog Falls.
While reaching the Hotel Mayura overlook, we could hear the roar of Jog Falls from afar. As we approached the waterfall, the entire region was shrouded in mist and fog. The winds blew in and out of the clouds and mist, and the falls played hide and seek the entire time. Every 20-30 minutes, it drizzled or poured for a few minutes. However, the sight of the Jog Falls captured and astonished us. The water was at its peak in September, and we couldn’t take our gaze away from the magnificent falls for a second. Every second, 3.4 million tonnes of water is reported to tumble down the cliff! Can you believe it?
We also proceeded to the opposite end of the semi-circular vista. One of India’s greatest hydroelectric power plants, which has been in operation since 1948, is located. You could easily spend an hour or two viewing the cascade and shooting it from this vantage point.
Viewpoint at the base of the Jog Falls:
A stairway of about 1400 steps leads to the waterfall base just inside the campus of Jog Falls viewpoint near Hotel Mayura. The concrete steps are beautifully constructed. The downhill is simple and takes around 30-40 minutes; however, climbing back requires some fitness. It usually takes visitors approximately an hour and a half to return.
If you want to go down to the base of Jog Falls in Karnataka, remember to bring water bottles, energy bars, and snacks. The path to the base is opened at 9 a.m. and closed at 4 p.m. This viewpoint at the foot of Jog Falls is blocked during the monsoon season or when the gates of the Linganamakki dam are opened due to a large intake of water into the falls. We couldn’t go down this viewpoint since it was closed, and we wanted to see as much water as possible.
Viewpoint from the Inspection Bungalow:
This viewpoint is located just across the street from the Jog Falls viewpoint near Hotel Mayura. It is accessible via British Bungalow (also known as PWD – Inspection Bungalow). It provides the greatest view of the spot where the Sharavathi River flows down the hill into the valley. The view of the Jog Falls from here was much different. We noticed that this perspective was rarely obscured by mist and clouds, giving us an unimpeded view of the cascade.
During our visit, there was so much water in the Jog Falls that it was nearly dangerous to get too close to the viewpoint.
The water dropped with such force that it produced a tremendous roar. The strong wind carried mist sprays with it, making the surrounding atmosphere exceedingly humid. We highly recommend paying a visit to this viewpoint.
Linganamakki Dam
The Linganamakki Dam is located in Sagara, Karnataka, around 11 kilometers from the Jog Falls. The dam, which spans the Sharavathi River, was built in 1964. The reservoir is primarily fed by rainfall and other tributaries of the Sharavathi River. The dam is around three kilometers long and has eleven gates. One section of the reservoir has boating amenities.
The main dam requires special authorization to visit; however, all tourists can observe the dam from a viewpoint. The entire region surrounding the Linganamakki dam is a lush green plantation and breathtaking natural beauty. When the dam overflows during the peak monsoon season, the gates are opened, and the water rushes down the Jog Falls in Karnataka.
Honnemaradu
Honnemaradu is a location on a hill with a view of the Linganamakki reservoir. It literally translates to “A Golden Lake,” which is well-known for its beautiful sunrises and sunsets. It is around 25 kilometers from the Jog Falls in Karnataka.
An island popular with campers and visitors is located in the middle of the Sharavathi River’s backwaters. The island is ideal for a picnic and provides a range of water adventure sports such as kayaking, canoeing, and rafting. Honnemaradu is well-known among hikers and birdwatchers, who may observe uncommon kinds of beautiful birds and engage in climbing to surrounding peaks.
Also Read, The Majestic Waterfalls of Goa you Must Visit Once
Suspension Bridge and Sharavathi Valley
In Karnataka, the Sharavathi valley viewpoint and suspension bridge are located on the road from Honnavar to Jog Falls. It is located 35 kilometers from the Jog Falls in the Honnavar taluka of the Uttara Kannada district.
The bridge joins two adjacent villages by crossing the raging Sharavathi River. The bridge is frequently used by the inhabitants to cross over to the opposite settlement. On the bridge, residents even ride two-wheeled vehicles.
Jog Falls, a prominent tourist destination in Karnataka, is located in the Shimoga district. India’s tallest waterfalls, also known as Gerusoppe Falls, Gersoppa Falls, and Jogada Gundi. The falls provide a beautiful spectacle during the monsoon season, with rainbows appearing from time to time.
This waterfall cascades down without causing any damage to the rocks. It is one of nature’s magnificent creations and is located amid deep evergreen trees. The impression of these stunning falls is heightened by the wild and picturesque terrain surrounding them, densely forested.
