Shivanasamudra Falls and Talakadu are the perennial favourites of Bangaloreans for a weekend picnic. Go now and it is a lovely sight as water is released from Kabini and KRS dams!
We present a complete one day trip guide here with a detailed itinerary to make it easy for you!
This trip from Bangalore will take you to two lovely waterfalls on the Cauvery River at Shivanasamudra. At Shivanasamudra Falls, the Cauvery River splits into two and jumps over rocks to create two spectacular falls. This day trip will also give you an opportunity to spend some time by the riverside, on a sandy beach at Talakadu!
All you can comfortably do in a day. Shivanasamudra Waterfalls from Bangalore is at a distance of 120 KMs. We will tell you how! This will also answer the following few questions.
- What is Shivanasamudra Falls famous for?
- Which is the best time to visit Shivanasamudra Falls?
- What is Talakdu famous for?
- What is a good time to visit Talakadu?
The Circuit
The falls can be reached either via Kanakapura or via the Mysore expressway.
Circuit 1 – Bangalore – Kanakapura – Malavalli – Gaganachukki falls – Bharachukki falls – Talakadu – Bangalore
Distance – 315 KMs
Road condition – Very good
Route – Google Map of the circuit
Circuit 2 – Bangalore – Maddur – Malavalli – Gaganachukki falls – Barachukki falls – Talakadu – Bangalore
Distance – 307 KMs
Road condition – Very good
Google map of the circuit – https://goo.gl/maps/KkDPoL4LX6yGhwms6
This option helps avoid the traffic between Bangalore and Kanakapura if one is leaving late. This is also helpful for people living in West Bangalore. In this option have Breakfast at Maddur.
The Itinerary
6.30 AM
Circuit 1 – Leave home and hit NICE road if you are near it. Exit at Kanakapura Road. Drive along the road with a few lakes to give you company. Driving early morning on this road is a pleasure as there is no traffic.
Circuit 2 – Leave home and hit NICE road if you are near it. Exit at Mysore Road. Drive along the road.
8 AM
Circuit 1 – Have Breakfast at Kanakapura. Vasu Hotel is an excellent option. A traditional self-service hotel. This is not a hep hotel but has excellent Idlis, vadas and of course yummy Masala Dosa.
Circuit 2 – Have BF at Maddur either at Maddur Tiffannys which is famous for Maddur Vada.
8.45 AM –
Circuit 1 – Depart Kanakapura and drive along NH 209 (New No is 948). At Malavalli, continue on the bypass road and drive straight to the first of the two falls at Shivanasamudra – Gaganachukki. Follow excellent signage from the highway to the falls. Gaganchukki as the name says is the taller of the two.
Circuit 2 – Depart Maddur and drive along NH 209 (New No is 948). At Malavalli, continue on the Chamarajanagar road and drive straight to the first of the two falls at Shivanasamudra – Gaganachukki. Follow excellent signage from the highway to the falls. Gaganchukki as the name says is the taller of the two.
10 AM – Arrive at Gaganachukki Falls. Park your car and proceed to the viewpoint. Enjoy the spectacular view of the falls. Gaganachukki as the name suggests cascades from the tall rocks and forms a lovely waterfall. Do not venture to walk down to the bottom of the falls and try to swim in the water. It is dangerous as rocks are slippery and there are whirlpools. You may find some young boys venturing into it but we don’t advise.
10.45 AM – Depart from Gaganachukki and proceed towards Bharachukki. It is a fifteen minutes drive and you reach other spectacular waterfalls. On the way stop over and enjoy the panoramic view of the huge lake formed by the barrage against the Cauvery River. As the name suggests, this is wider with a larger volume of water. Go to the viewpoint and enjoy the panoramic view of the falls. Spend 30 -45 minutes here.
11.45 AM – Depart for Talakadu. This is a comfortable 45-minute drive. Reach Talakadu. Park your car in the parking area and enjoy the lovely sandy beach! ( You may not see the beach during monsoon season due to increase in water levels) Do not try to swim in the river. But you can play in the water near the bank. Please be careful of sudden depths due to loose sand patterns. You will also see coracles being rented out for rides. You can try at your own risk as these are not authorised and they don’t come with any life jackets.
1.30 AM – Lunch time. There are some shacks in the town and you can have lunch there. Else, you can drive to any of the two resorts – Raya Resorts or Jaladhama Resort – close by for lunch.
3 PM – After lunch, you can visit the temples in Talakadu. There are around 30 temples. Some of them are buried under sand and some of them were excavated. The five temples of Shiva – Pancahalinga – are all excavated and opened for darshan. Also, don’t forget to visit the lovely Keerti Narayana Temple built in Hoysala Style.
4.30 PM – Depart for Bangalore. Retrace the same route which you took to reach the falls. You can either stop at Vasu Hotel or MTR near Art of Living ashram for snacks on the way if coming via Kanankapura and reach home by 7.30 PM OR have Maddur Vada and coffee at Maddur Tiffanys if coming via Maddur and Mysore expressway.
Travel Tips
a) The best time to visit the Shivanasamudra waterfalls is in the monsoon when the water is released from KRS Dam. But the falls and surroundings are lovely in all seasons. Shivanasamudra falls timings are from dawn to dusk.
b) Do not enter the water at the waterfalls. Many lives have been lost here due to misadventures.
c) At Talakadu, either you can visit the temple first, have lunch and then relax on the beach or vice versa.
d) You may take the help of a guide in Talakadu who will charge a nominal fee and take you around the temples and explain interesting stories about them. That way, one will not waste precious time.
e) Though there are trees on the Riverside, if you have a tent, carry it and pitch it on the beach closer to the river.
f) In the last few years a couple of resorts – Raya Resort and Jaladhama Resort – have opened in the region. If you are planning to stay overnight, you can do so. Staying overnight will help you explore Mudukuthore and the spectacular Hoysala temple of Somnathpur. These resorts also have boat rides with life jackets.
g) A resort by Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation has been opened in the last couple of years near Gaganachukki. We are not sure about the quality of it.
h) Make sure you have a good hat and also sunscreen as the afternoon sun at Talakadu will be scorching. Check out good deals on Amazon for this lovely hat for men/Women
Conclusion
Shivanasamudra waterfalls and Talakadu is an easy one day trip from Bangalore. It gives a much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of city life. If you have any questions, please let us know in the comments box below and we will answer them.
Postscript – When water is released from KRS Dam and Kabini reservoir, Shivanasamudra falls will be a glorious sight as you can see in these pics
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Brinda and Poorna, Good post very concise and to the point well done
All the very best
S.Kanniah