About Kalhatti Falls
Kalhatti Falls, also known as Kallathigiri Falls, is a 122-metre cascade waterfall near Kallathigiri village in Tarikere taluk, Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka. Fed by the Bhadra River tributary, it drops over the Chandra Drona Hill Ranges of the Western Ghats. The falls is notable for the Veerabhadreshwara Temple situated in a crevice between rocks behind the water curtain and its scenic forested setting near Kemmanagundi hill station.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a forested valley setting in the Western Ghats where water cascades 122 metres over rocky tiers into a pool below. Access involves descending stone steps to the base. Behind the water curtain is the small Veerabhadreshwara Temple built in a natural rock crevice. The area offers viewpoints of the falls, surrounding hills and coffee plantations, with opportunities for photography and short nature walks. Water flow is heaviest during and after monsoon.
Key highlights
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122-metre cascade waterfall in the Chandra Drona Hill Ranges of the Western Ghats
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Veerabhadreshwara Temple located in a rock crevice behind the waterfall
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Scenic forested valley near Kemmanagundi hill station
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Seasonal peak flow during monsoon and post-monsoon months
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Stone steps leading to close-up views of the falls and temple
History of Kalhatti Falls
The Veerabhadreshwara Temple at the falls is attributed to the Vijayanagara period and is dedicated to Lord Veerabhadra, a form of Shiva. The temple built in a natural crevice behind the waterfall has been a local pilgrimage site for centuries and reflects the historical temple architecture of the region.
Culture & Context
The falls holds religious significance due to the Veerabhadreshwara Temple situated behind the water curtain, where devotees offer prayers to Lord Shiva. It is visited by both pilgrims and tourists, especially during festivals and the post-monsoon season, and is part of the cultural landscape of the Baba Budan/Chandra Drona hills.
Route
| By air |
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