Chunchanakatte Falls: Difference between revisions

'''Chunchanakatte Falls''' ({{Lang-kn | ಚುಂಚನಕಟ್ಟೆ ಜಲಪಾತ ಅಥವಾ ಚುಂಚನಕಟ್ಟೆ ಫಾಲ್ಸ್}}) is a [[waterfall]] on the  [[Kaveri River]], near the village of Chunchanakatte in [[krishnarajanagar]] taluk of [[Mysore]] district, [[Karnataka]], [[India]]. Water cascades from a height of about 20 meters.<ref>{{cite web

The waterfall can be reached by taking a diversion at [[Krishnarajanagar]] on the [[Mysore]]-[[Hassan, India|Hassan]] highway. The diversion is on the left at the circle in the town of KR Nagar. A subsequent right turn on to a mud road leads to the waterfall. It is located at approximately 14&nbsp;km from the town of KR Nagar.

Chunchanakatte is the holy place where Lord [[Sri Rama]] during his [[vanvas]] stopped by and availed the hospitality of a tribal couple called Chuncha and Chunchi. The significance of this place is that the sound of the powerful falls can be heard all over except inside the [[sanctum sanctorum]] of the centuries-old temple, the story goes that Lord [[Rama]] was tired of the constant complaining of [[Sita]] Mata and gave a curse saying that the tongue of a woman should not be sharp and since Cauvery (river) is considered to be female the noise that the river generated would not be heard in the sanctum sanctorum of the lord. It is also said that when Sita Mata was tired and weary and wanted to have a bath, Lord Ram directed Lakshman to fire an arrow at a rock, once [[Lakshmana]] fired the arrow, water in 3 different shades started pouring out, one with turmeric, one with oil and one with shikakai (fruit for hair - natural shampoo). These shades are visible even today when there is considerable amount of water flowing in the falls. Before the powerplant was established, this place was like paradise on earth with nature at its best.

It is situated in [[Mysore]] District at a distance of 56&nbsp;km from Mysore, 14&nbsp;km from K.R.Nagar. It is well connected by road. Buses ply between Mysore and Chunchanakatte. The place is not known for any amenities but one can find bakeries and small eateries and hotels at K.R.Nagar.

This locale has been used in a lot of regional (Kannada) movies and has been a haunt for many of the film stars and politicians, most famous being [[Rajkumar (actor)|Rajkumar]]. This region is mainly inhabited by farmers and employees of a local sugar mill and of late the power generation plant.

Cauvery flows into Chunchankatte roaring thunderously forming a 60 feet height and approximately 300 to 400 feet wide waterfalls.  This place is situated 57&nbsp;km from Mysore in Krishna Raja Nagar (K.R.Nagar) taluk, Mysore district.  When the river reaches to cascade it is divided into two separate falls and joins again to continue to flow as one into Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) dam.  The roar is deafening and the spray from the falls is refreshing.  The gushing of water from every nook and corner of the rocky bed forms a milky white falls and the brown colored water in some parts of the falls shows the fertility that Cauvery brings along with her to the deccan plateau.  At one angle you can see a large quantity of water whoosh to about 10 feet away from the jutting rocky bed before cascading into the river displaying the force at which it flows.  This force is well tapped here and there is a hydraulic power generating station installed.  It is in its best form during monsoon, but during seasons where there is less inflow of water, you can climb onto the rocks and explore more.

From Mysore, drive down Mysore-Hassan highway and reach K.R.Nagar.  Here, any of the locals can guide you to the falls.  It is approximately 8 kilometers from K.R.Nagar. The falls is unsafe as water flow increases suddenly when water is released from [[KRS dam]].<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szqeahcr1Io</ref>