Gokak Falls

Gokak Falls is a prominent waterfall on the Ghataprabha River near Gokak town in Belagavi district, Karnataka. Often called the Niagara of Karnataka, the falls drop about 52 metres over a horseshoe-shaped sandstone cliff with a width of around 177 metres. Known for its monsoon flow, historic hanging bridge, early hydroelectric station and adjacent Gokak Mills, it is a major natural and heritage attraction in north Karnataka.

Visitors can expect a wide horseshoe-shaped cliff where the Ghataprabha River plunges about 52 metres into a gorge, especially forceful during monsoon. The site includes viewpoints on both sides of the gorge, a historic 1907 suspension hanging bridge spanning the river, views of the old Gokak Mills and hydroelectric station, rocky sandstone surroundings, and open areas for sightseeing and photography. Access involves walking on paved paths, steps and the suspension bridge.

The falls powered one of India's earliest hydroelectric stations commissioned in 1887 to supply electricity to the Gokak Mills, established in 1887 during British-era industrial development. The 1907 suspension hanging bridge across the gorge and the mill complex are heritage structures linked to this early industrial history.

The falls are a well-known regional landmark referred to as the Niagara of Karnataka and a popular monsoon picnic destination. The nearby Mahalingeshwara Temple on the banks of the Ghataprabha River is traditionally associated with the site and visited by pilgrims and tourists.