Chitrakoot Waterfall || Biggest Waterfall In India || Niagara Falls Of India || Unexplored Bastar ||

Chitrakoot Waterfall |
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The Chitrakote Falls also spelled Chitrakote Chitrakot and Chitrakoot is a natural waterfall on the Indravati River located approximately 38 kilometres 24 mi to the west of Jagdalpur in Bastar district in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh

The height of the falls is about 29 metres 95 ft It is the widest waterfall in India reaching a width of nearly 300 metres 980 ft during the monsoon season Because of its width and its widespread horseshoe shape during the monsoon season it is often called the Niagara Falls of India

The Chitrakote Falls is located on the Indravati River The river originates in the Kalahandi district of Odisha in the Vindhya Range of hills flows westward and then forms a fall at Chitrakote after which it finally flows into the Godavari River at Bhadrakali after traversing 240 miles 390 km in the state The free drop of the falls is a sheer height of about 30 metres 98 ft Because of its horseshoe shape it is often compared with the world famous Niagara Falls in the United States and is given the sobriquet the Small Niagara Falls During the rainy season from July to October rainbows are created with sun rays reflecting on mist from the waterfall
A small Hindu shrine dedicated to the god Shiva and several naturally created grottoes named Parvati caves named after Shiva wife Parvati are located on the left bank of the Chitrakote Falls The river flows sluggishly on the upstream side of the falls due to its meandering nature as it drains through the plains of Jagdalpur This reach of the river valley has very little forest cover Below the falls the river traverses the Bodhghat forested area and the river regime undergoes a drastic change in its flow conditions Aeration processes and the forest in the downstream area filter the silt in the river The weather in the area is generally pleasant except in the summer season when it is hot due to the absence of shade from vegetation in the area
Chitrakote Falls is one of two waterfalls located near the Kanger Valley National Park the other being Teerathgarh Falls

The geological formation of the Indravati River valley as it rises and flows downstream consists of quartzitic sandstone and changes to the Archaean granite and gneisses near the Chitrakote Falls It is one of the six waterfalls in India classified as geomorphosites geoheritage sites with geomorphological interest this classification is based on research studies of geological features of heritage value existing in different parts of the country These have been studied and discussed in seminars by geologists and studies have received the support of international institutions such as the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO the International Union for Conservation of Nature IUCN the International Union of Geological Sciences IUGS and the International Association of Geomorphologists IAG

The Chitrakote Falls which spreads over three braids during the low flow season is a single sheet of flow over a free fall of about 30 metres 98 ft forming a horseshoe shaped gorge However during the monsoon season when the Indravati River is in flood the falls cover the entire stretch of the horseshoe from the left to the right bank a width of about 300 metres 980 ft Though it is about one third less in width compared to Niagara Falls its visual splendour has been described as equally impressive Water flow conditions over the falls vary with the seasons During the flood season or the monsoon season the flow is filled with silt It is India widest waterfall
Local boat facilities operating below and under the falls in a misty atmosphere provide views of the falls under an early morning sun in reflected sunlight and in a blue hue On the banks of the pond below the falls many small Shiva Lingas aniconic symbols of the god Shiva are found in several niches as are iron trishuls the trident weapon of Shiva mostly in a rusted state On the left bank there is a rock ledge and climbing down this cliff leads to a naturally formed niche which houses stone slabs carved with deities In addition there is a small hut made of straw where Shiva images and rusted images of his son the god Ganesha are seen Many local people are involved in fishing in the area
The beauty of the falls can be seen throughout the year particularly during sunset As the fast flowing water of the river flows over the sharp near vertical rock exposure at the widest reach of the river it generates misty clouds and then hits into a pond formed in a semicircular shape at the bottom of the falls Adventure sports...