Shivanasamudra
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Shivanasamudra (or Shivasamudram) is a small town in the Mandya District in southern Karnataka, India near Mysore. The town is situated in in Malavalli taluk, Mandya District.
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[edit] Waterfalls
Near the town is the famous Shivanasamudram (also known as the Siva Samudram, literally meaning Shiva's Sea) waterfall. The Kaveri River splits here into two branches and each branch cascades down rocky cliffs. The more popularly viewed cascade is known as Gaganachukki and the other cascade is known as Bharachukki. These spectacular waterfalls are surrounded by hill forests of the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary.
[edit] Gaganachukki
The Gaganachukki is 98 m tall, and has a maximum recorded flow of 667,000 cubic feet per second (19,000 m³/s). One of Asia's oldest hydro-electric power stations, still functional, is located at the waterfall. This is where hydel power was first harnessed in Asia and the electricity thus produced was used in the Gold Mines of Kolar and thus Kolar Gold Fields became the first city in Asia to get electricity. One can view these waterfalls from the Hydel Power viewing end or the Dargah end. The Gaganachukki itself has 2 facades, the western facade and the eastern facade. Many enthusiastic youngsters trek down the hill side towards the cascade and enjoy the water spray. One can ask the locals for directions to the Dargah and view the upstream end of the falls. The upstream is particularly awe inspiring after the monsoons when the Kaveri River is full.
[edit] Barachukki
The Barachukki is about a kilometer away from the Dargah. Barachukki has a wider cascading edge. One section resembles a 'u' section, like the Niagara Falls. It also has nice graceful cascade along the side. There are much fewer visitors to this falls and there is no viewing gallery construction here.
 Gaganachukki (Shivanasamudram Falls) |
 Barachukki (Shivanasamudram Falls) |
 (Gaganachukki Panoramic View) |
Swimming is not advisable. The currents are quite strong and the gorge is quite deep. A number of lives have been lost attempting to swim here.
[edit] Trivia
- The Rajiv Gandhi Hydel power Project. Asia's first hydroelectric power station, used to power Kolar Gold Fields.
- Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple - Madhya Rangam
- (Note: Srirangapatna temple is called Aadi Rangam and the Ranganathaswamy Temple at Trichy (Kollidam) is called Antha Rangam. All these three Ranganathaswamy temples are located on land where Cauvery flows on either side of it. Or simply, where Cauvery branches out and rejoins back downstream.)
- Dargah of a Muslim Peer - very close to the other side of Gaganachukki Falls.
- Chunchi Falls - if time permits. You have to travel on Kanakapura Highway towards Bangalore to reach the diversion for Chunchi Falls. It is supposed to be a beautiful spot.
[edit] Directions
- From Bangalore: 140 km, There are 2 routes.
- a) Take Mysore Road, before Mandya, take diversion from Maddur and drive straight towards Malavalli. After Malavalli, speak to locals and they can guide you correctly. One could also return via the same route. This route has good roads and one can enjoy the new Bangalore-Mysore Expressway too.
- b) Alternatively, take the National Highway that passes through Kanakapura. Drive straight up to Malavalli and then ask any local villager for directions. They will know. (This is the route to reach Bheemeshwari Fishing Resort).
- Best time to visit: September to February
