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Chitrakoot - The Niagara Falls of India

by: Manish Chaudhary

Chitrakoot falls are located in the middle of Vindhya ranges. The waterfall is formed by the Indravati River in Chattisgarh region which is a tributary of Narmada. Chitrakoot waterfall is the largest waterfall in India. The height of the falls is 100 feet.The breadth of the waterfall varies as the water level in the river changes drastically. During monsoon the waterfall turns wild and violent. Chitrakoot waterfall is best seen during and after the monsoon, between July and October.

Chitrakoot Falls are located 48kms west of Jagdalpur (a small city) in the state of Chhattisgarh. This waterfall is considered the Niagara Falls of India and is the broadest waterfall in the nation. The chitrakoot is also a religious Hindu Pilgrimage center. Thousands of pilgrims come here for Hari darshan and pay their homage to the God Hari. Who ever comes to Chitrakoot makes sure to visit Chitrakoot Waterfall at least once.

Image credit: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c1/Chitrakot_Waterfall_Jagdalpur.jpg

People can spend hours just sitting here and enjoying the scenic beauty of the place. The loud noise during monsoon is breathtaking. During the rains, this waterfall widens upto 150 meters. During the rainy seasons, people don't visit this waterfall, owing to its extreme form. But once, the winter season arrives, the water becomes lighter, and the atmosphere here is worth seeing.

Image credit: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2020/2219881651_da733ac081_o.jpg

The water color changes from season to season. In monsoon because of silt it turns a little brown in shade whereas in summer it’s white and clear. The shape of the waterfall is like a horse-shoe. Tourists can stay here at the government owned resorts or at the camps near the banks of river. There are also various resorts and lodges available on the Jagdalpur-Chitrakoot Road which are nice and comfortable for the visitors to stay.

Image credit: http://i33.tinypic.com/6olp36.jpg

For most of the travelers it is a place to find peace and to relax themselves. In the morning hours, you can find people doing Holistic Therapies like Meditation. Various Ayurvedic Centers like Aroyadham are located near the Chitrakoot Falls. For many others Chitrakoot waterfall is the favorite picnic spot. Photographers capture the beauty; painters try to paint their canvas in best possible way to portray the scenic beauty of the place. For others it is a place which is very close to Mother Nature. The scenic surrounding of the place spellbound visitors and take them to a total different world of ecstasy.

Image credit: http://dipanjan-mitra.com/images/cross/86a.jpg

Best time to visit:
The first time visitors are sure to fall in love with this place and they just can’t have enough in just one visit. If you want to enjoy the wildness of the waterfall then July to the month of October would be the best time, the waterfalls of Chitrakoot attain its best phase and widens up to 150 mtr. But if you want to enjoy the calm white waterfall then best time to visit is during the winters which start from October to February.

Image credit: http://www.bcmtouring.com/forum/attachments/scan0019.jpg-11716d1242056622

Getting to Chitrakoot Waterfall:
Jagdalpur is a popular city of Chhattisgarh and is very well connected to the rest of the state. Frequent bus services and taxis are available to reach Chitrakoot waterfall or you can also heir a private car.

Travel Tips:

Chitrakoot is a religious town so maintain the sanctity of the place and do not wear short dresses.

During Monsoon the waterfall is very wild and violent so, extra care needs to be taken.

Do not allow children to go near the waterfall as the speed of water is very high. Even elders need to take care of themselves.

Be careful while walking on the rocks as they are very slippery.

There are bound to be touts in and around the falls and Chitrakoot. Beware of them. There are no trekking grounds of boating facilities here, so do not get lured by false promises.