Jog Falls

Jog Falls is perhaps

In terms of the behavior and impression of the falls, I can think of the way Barron Falls in Australia on the Kuranda Scenic Railway behaved just outside the Wet Season due to a hydroelectric facility just upstream from it. Another example that we could think of regarding the behavior of Jog Falls was the Voringsfossen waterfall in Norway where we witnessed a cluster of segmented waterfalls falling into the same ravine.

The one thing about the low-flow state of the falls was that we were able to see the main segments of the falls distinctly (each one had a name). Their name of the constituent parts (from left to right) were Raja (King), Roar, Rocket, and Rani (Queen or Lady). I'm sure when the Sharavathi River is in full flood during the height of the monsoon, these four constituent parts would blend together into an unimaginably crazy wide and powerful torrent. Plus, we also noticed somewhat of an orphan waterfall way to the left of all the action that also appeared to be tall and picturesque (though I suspect it was on a different watercourse than the main river).

There was a steep path that descended from the overlooks right down to the plunge pools deep within the depths of the gorge. I was told this walk took about an hour going down but two sweat-drenching hours on the way back up. It also seemed like we were supposed to hire a guide in order to get down there (though I wasn't sure if that was truly the case or if we were being scammed). We didn't go down there, but apparently we noticed some people way down there swimming to beat the heat. I would also imagine that had we been down there, we could gain a bit of an appreciation of just how big and overwhelming the waterfall could be.

There was extensive infrastructure opposite the Jog Falls with broad overlooks (and even some with large stadium-like steps) along with a large car park (and unsurprisingly many touts). A separate road also led to the top of the falls, as evidenced by us witnessing other people being dwarfed by the falls in the distance, but we didn't bother with this option.

Finally, in terms of timing besides the proper season to visit (which is typically directly during the monsoon of the Indian Summer from June through August and maybe September following sustained downpours), we had observed that perhaps the best time of day to see the falls would be some time in the afternoon when the sun would be more or less behind us.

Now before we end the general discussion about the waterfall, we do have to note that this waterfall is frequently said to be India's tallest waterfall. However, we're doubtful of this claim given that other waterfalls have taller cumulative heights or direct plunges. In terms of taller cumulative height, we can think of Dudhsagar Falls (which is claimed to be 300m according to local signage and not 603m as stated in our 2007 version of LP and falsely propagated elsewhere in the internet literature). And if you constrain the argument for only plunge type waterfalls, then it's possible that tallest in the country could be Nohkalikai Falls provided its unofficial height isn't too generous.

Note: we hired a driver as you probably wouldn't want to be self-driving in the country unless you're very used to the chaotic traffic conditions here.

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Dodging cows on the way to the falls from Sirsi

Context of the overlook of the falls

Contextual look at that orphan waterfall way to the left

Closer look at the main waterfalls

Looking towards some building just to the topright of Jog Falls.

You have to look real closely at this photo in order to even see the people swimming at the plunge pools beneath the Jog Falls

Sign leading to a viewpoint of what appeared to be the culprit behind the compromised state of the falls

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Brief bottom up sweep of the main section of the falls


Wide right to left sweep of the falls including the orphan waterfall on the far left


Focused on what I'm calling the orphan waterfall since it's technically not part of the main Jog Falls

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TRIP REPORTS

• November 15, 2009

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• Unchalli Falls

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