Gokak Falls

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The Gokak falls is a waterfall located on the Ghataprabha river in Belgaum district of Karnataka, India. The waterfall is six kilometers away from Gokak, a nearby town.

Gokak Falls - Photograph taken in July,2006
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Gokak Falls - Photograph taken in July,2006
Ghataprabha River upstream - Photograph taken in July,2006
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Ghataprabha River upstream - Photograph taken in July,2006

After a long winding course, Ghataprabha river takes a leap of 52 metres over the sand-stone cliff amidst a picturesque gorge of the rugged valley. Except the width and colour of the water, the general features of the fall, its height, shape, and rapidity resemble Niagara Falls on a smaller scale. The waterfall is horse shoe shaped at the crest, with a flood breadth of 177 metres. During rainy season, the thick reddish brown water sweeps far over the brink of the cliff with a dull roar that can be heard from some distance. There is a hanging bridge across the river, measuring about 201 metres. Its height above the rock bed is 14 metres.

One of the interesting features of this place are the monuments from the Chalukya era that are present on either banks of the rocky gorge.

There is an old electricity generation station which used to generate electricity during 1880s. A ropeway connects the power station to the cliff top.

July to September is the best season to visit the place. The Gokak Falls can be developed into a fine tourist attraction.

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