India's numerous states and regions are home to a wide variety of waterfalls. These waterfalls, which appeal to adventurers, nature lovers, and tourists alike, differ in height, type, and scenic beauty.
The highest and most well-known waterfalls in India are included in this comprehensive and educational list, which is arranged according to height and location.
India's Highest Waterfalls
The tallest waterfalls in India, many of which are plunge-style or tiered, are ranked mainly by height. With a height of 455 meters, the Kunchikal Falls in Karnataka are the tallest waterfall in India. A list of some of the tallest waterfalls can be found below:
Rank | Waterfall | Height (meters) | Location | Type/Remarks | Number of Drops |
1 | Kunchikal Waterfalls | 455 | Shivamogga district, Karnataka | Tallest tiered waterfall | 4 |
2 | Barehipani Falls | 399 | Mayurbhanj district, Odisha | Tiered | 2 |
3 | Nohkalikai Falls | 340 | East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya | Plunge waterfall | Single |
4 | Nohsngithiang Falls (Mawsmai Falls) | 315 | East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya | Segmented waterfall | Single |
5 | Dudhsagar Falls | 310 | South Goa District, Goa | Tiered waterfall | 4 |
6 | Kynrem Falls | 305 | East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya | Tiered waterfall | 3 |
7 | Meenmutty Falls | 300 | Wayanad district, Kerala | Tiered waterfall | 3 |
8 | Thalaiyar Falls | 297 | Theni district, Tamil Nadu | Horsetail waterfall | Single |
9 | Hogenakkal Falls | 259 | Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu | Tiered waterfall | - |
10 | Jog Falls | 253 | Shivamogga district, Karnataka | Plunge, segmented | Single |
These waterfalls are among the most spectacular in India, offering breathtaking views and often surrounded by rich biodiversity and lush greenery.
Other Notable Waterfalls in India
Apart from the highest waterfalls, India boasts many other famous and scenic waterfalls that are popular tourist destinations:
- Athirappilly Falls, Kerala: Known as the "Niagara of India," this segmented waterfall is 25 meters high and is a major attraction in Thrissur district.
- Dhuandhar Falls, Madhya Pradesh: Located in Jabalpur district, it is famous for its roaring cascade and misty surroundings.
- Chitrakoot Falls, Chhattisgarh: Often called the "Niagara of India," it is a wide waterfall on the Indravati River.
- Rajrappa Falls, Jharkhand: A sacred waterfall where the river meets rocky terrain.
- Hundru Falls, Jharkhand: A segmented waterfall near Ranchi, known as the "City of Waterfalls".
- Magod Falls, Karnataka: A tiered waterfall located in Uttara Kannada district.
- Bahuti Falls, Madhya Pradesh: The highest waterfall in Madhya Pradesh, located in Rewa district.
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Waterfalls by Region
- Karnataka: Home to Kunchikal Falls, Jog Falls, Magod Falls, and others.
- Meghalaya: Known for Nohkalikai Falls, Kynrem Falls, and Nohsngithiang Falls.
- Odisha: Barehipani Falls, Joranda Falls, and Khandadhar Falls.
- Kerala: Meenmutty Falls, Athirappilly Falls, and Soochipara Falls.
- Maharashtra: Kune Falls, Vajrai Falls (noted as one of the tallest in Satara district), and Thoseghar Falls.
- Tamil Nadu: Hogenakkal Falls, Thalaiyar Falls, Agaya Gangai Falls.
- Jharkhand: Hundru Falls, Lodh Falls.
- Madhya Pradesh: Chachai Falls, Keoti Falls, Patalpani Falls.
- Goa: Dudhsagar Falls, a popular tourist spot on the Goa-Karnataka border.
List of Waterfalls in India
Rank | Waterfall | Height (meters) | Location | Type/Remarks | Number of Drops |
1 | Kunchikal Waterfalls | 455 | Shivamogga district, Karnataka | Tallest tiered waterfall | 4 |
2 | Barehipani Falls | 399 | Mayurbhanj district, Odisha | Tiered | 2 |
3 | Nohkalikai Falls | 340 | East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya | Plunge | Single |
4 | Nohsngithiang Falls (Mawsmai Falls) | 315 | East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya | Segmented | Single |
5 | Dudhsagar Falls | 310 | South Goa District, Goa | Tiered | 4 |
6 | Kynrem Falls | 305 | East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya | Tiered | 3 |
7 | Meenmutty Falls | 300 | Wayanad district, Kerala | Tiered | 3 |
8 | Thalaiyar Falls | 297 | Theni district, Tamil Nadu | Horsetail | Single |
9 | Hogenakkal Falls | 259 | Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu | Tiered | - |
10 | Jog Falls | 253 | Shivamogga district, Karnataka | Plunge, segmented | Single |
11 | Khandadhar Falls | 244 | Sundergarh district, Odisha | Horsetail | Single |
12 | Vantawng Falls | 229 | Serchhip district, Mizoram | Tiered | 2 |
13 | Kune Falls | 200 | Pune district, Maharashtra | Tiered | 3 |
14 | Thoseghar Waterfalls | 200 | Satara district, Maharashtra | Cataract, segmented | - |
15 | Soochipara Falls | 200 | Wayanad district, Kerala | Tiered | 3 |
16 | Bahuti Falls | 198 | Rewa district, Madhya Pradesh | Tiered | 2 |
17 | Magod Falls | 198 | Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka | Tiered | 2 |
18 | Hebbe Falls | 168 | Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka | Tiered | 2 |
19 | Duduma Falls | 157 | Border of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh | Plunge | Single |
20 | Palani Falls | 150 | Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh | - | - |
21 | Joranda Falls | 150 | Mayurbhanj district, Odisha | - | Single |
22 | Lodh Falls | 143 | Latehar district, Jharkhand | Tiered | 2 |
23 | Bishop Falls | 135 | East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya | Tiered | 3 |
24 | Chachai Falls | 130 | Rewa district, Madhya Pradesh | - | - |
25 | Keoti Falls | 98 | Rewa district, Madhya Pradesh | Segmented | Single |
26 | Changey Falls | 123 | Kalimpong district, West Bengal | Segmented | Single |
27 | Kalhatti Falls | 122 | Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka | - | - |
28 | Beadon Falls | 120 | East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya | - | - |
29 | Keppa Falls | 116 | Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka | Fan type | Single |
30 | Koosalli Falls | 116 | Udupi district, Karnataka | Tiered | 6 |
31 | Dabbe Falls | 110 | Shivamogga district, Karnataka | - | - |
32 | Vasudhara Falls | 120 | Chamoli district, Uttarakhand | - | - |
33 | Pandavgad Falls | 107 | Thane district, Maharashtra | - | - |
34 | Rajat Prapat | 107 | Narmadapuram district, Madhya Pradesh | Horsetail | Single |
35 | Bundla Falls | 100 | Kaimur district, Bihar | - | Single |
36 | Shivanasamudra Falls | 98 | Mandya district, Karnataka | Segmented | Single |
37 | Lower Ghaghri Falls | 98 | Latehar district, Jharkhand | - | - |
38 | Hundru Falls | 98 | Ranchi district, Jharkhand | Segmented | Single |
39 | Sweet Falls | 96 | East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya | Horsetail | Single |
40 | Agaya Gangai | 92 | Namakkal district, Tamil Nadu | Tiered | Single |
41 | Patalpani Waterfall | 91.5 | Indore district, Madhya Pradesh | Segmented | Single |
42 | Gatha Falls | 91 | Panna district, Madhya Pradesh | - | - |
43 | Teerathgarh Falls | 91 | Bastar district, Chhattisgarh | - | - |
44 | Kiliyur Falls | 91 | Yercaud, Tamil Nadu | Fan type | Single |
45 | Kedumari Falls | 91 | Udupi district, Karnataka | Horsetail | Single |
46 | Muthyala Maduvu Falls | 91 | Bangalore Rural district, Karnataka | - | - |
47 | Langshiang Falls | 85 | West Khasi Hills, Meghalaya | - | Single |
48 | Talakona Falls | 82 | Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh | - | - |
49 | Purwa Falls | 70 | Rewa district, Madhya Pradesh | - | - |
50 | Kakolat Falls | 50 | Nawada district, Bihar | - | - |
51 | Paglajhora Falls | 35 | Darjeeling district, West Bengal | - | - |
52 | Dhuandhar Falls | 30 | Jabalpur district, Madhya Pradesh | - | - |
53 | Athirappilly Falls | 25 | Thrissur district, Kerala | Segmented | - |
Types of Waterfalls
Waterfalls in India can be categorized based on their shapes and flow patterns:
- Tiered Waterfalls: Water descends in a series of distinct steps or falls (e.g., Kunchikal Falls, Barehipani Falls).
- Plunge Waterfalls: Water drops vertically, losing contact with the bedrock (e.g., Nohkalikai Falls, Jog Falls).
- Segmented Waterfalls: Water descends in separate streams (e.g., Nohsngithiang Falls, Athirappilly Falls).
- Horsetail Waterfalls: Water maintains some contact with rock behind it (e.g., Thalaiyar Falls, Khandadhar Falls).
- Fan Waterfalls: Water spreads horizontally as it descends (e.g., Kiliyur Falls).
India's waterfalls are not only natural wonders but also vital ecological and cultural landmarks. From the towering heights of Kunchikal Falls in Karnataka to the enchanting cascades of Meghalaya and Kerala, these waterfalls offer varied experiences for tourists and nature enthusiasts. Many of these sites are also important for local tourism, wildlife habitats, and hydroelectric power generation.