ToniaMirams219 at 15:48, 26 December 2025

2025-12-26T15:48:07Z

New page

{{Short description|Waterfall in Chhattisgarh, India}}
{{confuse|Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh}}

{{Infobox waterfall
| name = Chitrakote Falls
| photo = Chitrakot_waterfalls.JPG
| photo_caption = Chitrakote Falls
| map = India Chhattisgarh
| location = [[Bastar district|Bastar]], [[Chhattisgarh]], [[India]]
| type = Cataract
| height = {{convert|29|m}}
| number_drops = 3
| average_flow =
| watercourse = [[Indravati River]]
| world_rank =
| coords = {{coord|19.206496|81.699979|format=dms|region:IN_type:river_scale:1000}}
}}

The '''Chitrakote Falls''' (also spelled '''Chitrakote''', '''Chitrakot''', and '''Chitrakoot''') is a natural [[waterfall]] on the [[Indravati River]], located approximately {{convert|38|km}} to the west of [[Jagdalpur]], in [[Bastar district]] in the [[India|Indian]] [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[Chhattisgarh]].

The height of the falls is about {{convert|29|m}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://cgtourism.choice.gov.in/node/117|title = Chitrakote Waterfalls, Bastar|access-date = 25 June 2015|publisher = Chhattisgarh Tourism Board|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150626102719/http://cgtourism.choice.gov.in/node/117|archive-date = 26 June 2015|url-status = dead}}</ref>{{Sfn|Kale|2014|pp=251–53}} It is the widest waterfall in India, reaching a width of nearly {{convert|300|m|ft}} during the peak [[wet season|monsoon season]].{{Sfn|Singh|2010|p=723}} Because of its width and horseshoe shape during the monsoon season, it is often called the "[[Niagara Falls]] of India".<ref name="Books2013">{{cite book|author=Puffin Books|title=The Puffin Book of 1000 Fun Facts|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4DInAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT12|date=15 November 2013|publisher=Penguin Books Limited|isbn=978-93-5118-405-8|page=12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/most-beautiful-waterfalls-india/index.html|access-date=22 October 2023|title=8 of India's most beautiful waterfalls|website=CNN|date=13 May 2019 }}</ref>

==Topography==
[[File:Chitrakote Falls.jpg|thumb|Chitrakote Falls in January 2017]]
The Chitrakote Falls<ref>
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRzaVNd10nw Chitrakoot Waterfalls – The Indian Niagara] </ref> is located on the Indravati River. The river originates in the [[Kalahandi]] district of [[Odisha, India|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 (place)|Bhadrakali]],{{Sfn|Board|p=267}} after traversing {{convert|240|mi}} in the state.{{Sfn|Chatterjee1955|p=306}}<ref name=Patro>{{Cite web|last=Patro|first=Jagdish|url=http://www.indiastudychannel.com/resources/163040-Chitrakoot-Waterfalls-The-Niagara-Falls-India.aspx|title=Chitrakoot Waterfalls – The Niagara Falls of India|date=14 December 2013|publisher=India Study channel|access-date=3 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612070610/https://www.indiastudychannel.com/resources/163040-Chitrakoot-Waterfalls-The-Niagara-Falls-India.aspx|archive-date=12 June 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The free drop of the falls is a sheer height of about {{convert|30|m}}. 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.{{Sfn|House|2004|p=132}}

A small [[Hindu temple|Hindu shrine]] dedicated to the god [[Shiva]] and several naturally created grottoes named "Parvati caves" (named after Shiva's wife [[Parvati]]) are located on the left bank of the Chitrakote Falls. The river flows sluggishly upstream of the falls due to its meandering nature as it drains through the plains of Jagdalpur. This stretch 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.<ref>{{cite book|title=Vācham|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gX5-AAAAMAAJ|year=1996|publisher=National Centre for Human Settlements and Environment|page=46}}</ref> The weather in the area is generally pleasant except in the summer season when it is hot due to the absence of shade amid lack of vegetation in the area.<ref name=Chitra2003>{{Cite web |url=http://tourism.gov.in/CMSPagePicture/file/marketresearch/statewise20yrsplan/chhattisgarh.pdf |publisher=Ministry of Culture and Tourism |title=Final Report on 20 Year Perspective Plan for Development of Sustainable Tourism in Chhattisgarh |pages=12–3 of 5 |access-date=2015-02-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130911093612/http://tourism.gov.in/CMSPagePicture/file/marketresearch/statewise20yrsplan/chhattisgarh.pdf |archive-date=2013-09-11 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Chitrakote Falls is one of two waterfalls located near the [[Kanger Ghati National Park|Kanger Valley National Park]], the other being [[Teerathgarh Falls]].{{Sfn|Menon|2014|p=103}}

==Geology==
[[File:The_Chitrakote_Falls.jpg|thumb|left|Chitrakote Falls]]
The geological formation of the [[Indravati River]] valley as it rises and flows downstream consists of [[quartzitic]] [[sandstone]] and changes to the [[Archean|Archaean]] [[granite]] and [[gneisses]] near the Chitrakote Falls.{{Sfn|Sharma|2000|p=23}} It is one of the six waterfalls in India classified as [[geomorphosite]]s ([[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).{{Sfn|Kale|2014|pp=251–53}}

==Features==
[[File:Chitrakote waterfall at night.jpg|thumb|Chitrakote waterfall at night]]
{{multiple image
| direction = vertical
| width = 200
| footer =
| image1 = Chitrakot9.JPG
| alt1 = Chitrakote Falls with full muddy flow
| caption1 = Muddy flow
| image3 = Chitrakot Falls1.JPG
| caption3 = Another view of Chitrakote Falls during low-flow season
}}
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 {{convert|30|m}}, 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 {{convert|300|m}}. Though it is about one-third less in width compared to Niagara Falls, its visual splendour has been described as equally impressive.{{Sfn|Menon|2014|p=104}}<ref name="Books2013"/> Water flow conditions over the falls vary with the seasons. During the flood season or the monsoon season, the flow is filled with silt.<ref name=Patro/>{{Sfn|Terryn|2011|p=}} It is India's widest waterfall.{{Sfn|Singh|2010|p=723}}

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 [[Lingam|Shiva Lingas]] (aniconic symbols of the god Shiva) are found in several niches, as are iron [[Trishula|trishuls]] (the trident weapon of Shiva), mostly in a rusted state.<ref name=Indra>{{Cite web|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-09-30/news/34164608_1_chariot-gonds-bastar|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203130310/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-09-30/news/34164608_1_chariot-gonds-bastar|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 3, 2015|title=Indravati river's mighty Horseshoe falls of Chitrakoot have earned it the title of 'Little Niagara'|date=30 September 2012|work=The Economic Times}}</ref> 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.<ref name=Ganesh>{{Cite web|url= http://ganapati.perso.neuf.fr/anglais/achat/achat.html|title= Ganesh au Chattishgarh|publisher= Ganesh, dieu de l'hindouisme|access-date= 2015-02-03|archive-date= 2014-09-18|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140918172241/http://ganapati.perso.neuf.fr/anglais/achat/achat.html|url-status= dead}}</ref> Many local people are involved in fishing in the area.{{Sfn|Chatterjee1955|p=306}}<ref name=Indra/>

The beauty of the falls can be seen throughout the year, particularly during sunset.{{Sfn|Singh|2010|p=723}} 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 enthusiasts use boats in the stormy part of this pond. Pilgrims bathe in the calmer part of the lake.{{Sfn|Kaul|2012|p=166}} In the low-flow season, paddle boats are used in pools formed in the upstream part of the falls. In the pool below the falls, swimming and paddle boats are permitted. Local boatmen can paddle their boats under the spray below the falls.{{Sfn|Singh|2010|p=723}}

Some terrorist activity by [[Communist Party of India (Maoist)|Maoists]] (anti-revisionist) has been reported in the area. In 2008, when then-President of India [[Pratibha Patil]] visited Chitrakote Falls, there was a violent attack on a police vehicle which was blown up.{{Sfn|Choudhary|2012|p=27}}
{{wide image|Chitrakot panoramic.jpg|700px|Panoramic view of downstream pond below the Chitrakote Falls}}

==Conservation==
The Ministry of Tourism and Development of the Government of India assessed the potential of this site in 2003 as being of a natural "ambiance" suitable for the development of [[ecotourism]]. Based on this assessment, plans were drawn up to develop facilities such as local restaurants, nature camping sites, a playground for children, and platforms from which to view the falls, and also to improve the road conditions, fix signs along the road from Jagdalpur to the falls, and generally beautify the site. Environmental conditions in the vicinity of the falls are in a largely preserved state but need attention as ecotourism develops.<ref name=Chitra2003/>

As of 2010, some infrastructure facilities had improved. There is a government-run hotel at the top of the falls. A series of steps from the garden of the hotel leads to the falls. "Chitrakote log huts" with basic and modern cabins have also been built at the location. Some of the cabins provide good views of the falls. The falls dried up during the summer, from April to June,{{when|date=May 2020}} because water of the Indravati River has been diverted through Jaura Nallah near the Odisha–Chhattisgarh border by the Odisha government. It also includes indiscriminate construction of check dams near the falls. Social activists and environmentalists are making efforts to restore its charms. At present the falls flows only during the rain.{{Sfn|Singh|2010|p=723}}

Apart from many large hydroelectric power plants on the Indravati River, a small power plant of 7.5 MW capacity has been planned to utilize the head at the Chitrakote Falls, though no [[irrigation]] is envisaged.{{cn|date=May 2020}}

==See also==
*[[List of waterfalls]]
*[[List of waterfalls in India]]
*[[List of waterfalls in India by height]]
*[[Kanger Ghati National Park]]
*[[Tamda Ghumar]]
*[[Teerathgarh Falls]]
*[[Kotumsar Cave]]
*[[Mendri Ghumar]]
*[[Jagdalpur]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book|last= Board |first=Pratiyogita Darpan Editorial |title=Pratiyogita Darpan Extra Issue Series-2 General Studies Geography (India & World)|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bo169bRDeqwC&pg=PA267|publisher=Upkar Prakashan}}
*{{cite book|last= Chatterjee |first=Ramananda |title=The Modern Review|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dPrRAAAAMAAJ|year=1955|publisher=Prabasi Press Private, Limited}}
*{{cite book|last= Choudhary|first=Subharanshu| title=Let's call him Vasu: With the Maoists in Chhattisgarh|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bQCIWIbN8OAC&pg=PT27|date=1 December 2012|publisher=Penguin Books Limited|isbn=978-81-8475-737-8}}
*{{cite book|last= Kale|first=Piotr Vishwas S.|title=Landscapes and Landforms of India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t_MsBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA253|date=1 January 2014|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-94-017-8029-2}}
*{{cite book|last= Kaul|first=Ranjan|title=Through the Forest Darkly|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VZI_53bqpkYC&pg=PT166|date=12 March 2012|publisher=Hachette India|isbn=978-93-5009-364-1}}
*{{cite book|last=House|first=Travel|title=Travel House Guide to Incredible India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TT_u45_WfCUC&pg=PA132|year=2004|publisher=Travel House|isbn=978-81-241-1063-8}}
*{{cite book|last= Menon |first=Gangadharan |title=Evergreen Leaves: Recollections of My Journeys into Wild India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tGXeBQAAQBAJ&pg=PT104|date=11 December 2014|publisher=PartridgeIndia|isbn=978-1-4828-4170-1}}
*{{cite book|last= Sharma |first=Arun Kumar |title=Archaeo-anthropology of Chhattīsgaṛh|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-ihuAAAAMAAJ|year=2000|publisher=Sundeep Prakashan|isbn=9788175740969 }}
*{{cite book|last= Sharma|first=Brahm Dev |title=Globalisation, the tribal encounter|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xPmwAAAAIAAJ|year=1995|publisher=Har-Anand Publications|isbn=9788124103357 }}
*{{cite book|last= Singh |first=Sarina |title=Lonely Planet India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vK88ktao7pIC&pg=PA723|date=15 September 2010|publisher=Lonely Planet|isbn=978-1-74220-347-8}}
*{{cite book|last= Terryn |first=Waylon Christian |title=Chitrakoot Falls|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=jEeTygAACAAJ |date=27 July 2011|publisher=Fer Publishing|isbn=978-613-7-04909-9}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Chitrakote Falls}}
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj4UbbhG1iQ Chitrkote Water Fall, Jagdalpur, Bastar) YouTube]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160920031233/http://apnachhattisgarh.in/chitrakote-falls/ Chitrakoot falls]
*[http://www.thebackpackdiaries.in/chitrakoot-waterfalls-the-indian-niagara/ Chitrakoot Waterfalls - The Indian Niagara]
{{Hydrography of Chhattisgarh}}

[[Category:Waterfalls of Chhattisgarh]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Chhattisgarh]]
[[Category:Bastar district]]
[[Category:Waterfalls of India]]

Chitrakote Falls - Revision history

ToniaMirams219 at 15:48, 26 December 2025