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Barkana Falls

Barkana Falls

About:

Barkana Falls are among the ten highest waterfalls in India. They are located near Agumbe in Shimoga district of state of Karnataka. Barkana falls are formed by Sita river. Currently Barkana falls are the prime source of one of the hydro electric projects in Karnataka. It is a wonderful location for sight seeing and enjoy the picnik, but beware of the blood suckers in rainy seasons..

Barkana Waterfalls, 259 meters high, is one of the picturesque spots in Shimoga District of Karnataka. Located in Balehalli forest area, Barkana Falls is about 80 km from Thirthahalli. It is formed by the natural water of Seeta River. A small stream adjoins the waterfalls.

Barkana is located approximately 7 kilometers from Agumbe within the dense forests of the western ghats. The name Barkana comes from the words Barka which means "Mouse Deer" and Kana means "Home". Currently Barkana falls are the prime source of one of the hydro electric projects in Karnataka.

Location info:

Address:Distance - Approx 80 kms from Tirthahalli and 7 kms from Agumbe
District: Shimoga district
Nearest City: Shimoga
Best time to visit:Early Winter

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History:

 

Interesting things to do:

The view from the Barkana platform which roughly 2000 feet above sea level; located at the borders of Shimoga and Udupi districts provides a beautiful view of the V shaped valley with a spectacular 2200 feet high waterfall of the Sita river at the seam.

You can either drive or trek to Barkana which includes 4 kilometers of tar road and the rest is mud road. The roads runs through dense forests and hence is shaded and pleasant throughout the year. Almost midway between falls a tiny village called Mallandoor which has approximately 50 families.
Barkana Falls

Nestling in the Southern end of Tirthahalli, Agumbe is also called as Cherapunji of South of Switzerland of Karnataka. Here in this region of heavy falls lies the Barkana Falls. The Barkana Falls are made by the river called as Sita River. Bakrana Falls also makes for one of the best trekking grounds as one covers the Kudllu Teertha to reach the Bakrana Falls. There amidst the dense forest which cover the area lie the Barkana Falls.

The forests flora changes every 100 meters - from bamboos to hurbs to shurbs. The main attraction of this forest apart from the Bakrana Falls is the plant called Guruji. It is said, it blossoms once in 7 years and it is also believed that the flower signifies coming of Drought. But with sadness comes the happiness. Along with the draught also comes a lot of natural honey. Whenever, this bounty flower blossoms, there is a large scale production of Honey which fills the entire village.

Interesting things to Visit:

 

Mobile range info:

 

How to reach?

Nearest Railway Station:
Nearest Airport:

To reach Bakrana Falls one has to trek the Western Ghats ranging the Gumbo Ghats. As one treks the range, one can see the beautiful lush greenery which surrounds the entire place. But while climbing the Ghats one has to be careful as the slopes are steep, some as deep as 75 to 85 degrees. One has to trek at least 2000 ft from the valley to reach Bakrana Valley Falls. With the Falls at such a height, one can see almost the entire valley. The beauty of the falls coming from the Himalayas is insurmountable

The way to Bakrana Falls is also a motorable path and those interested in adventures like Motorbiking can very well trek the path of from Agumbe to Bakrana. Barkana Falls come under the Indias Ten Highest Waterfalls

Nearest Visiting places:

Kudlu Teertha Falls : Kudlu Teertha Falls are the beautiful falls, falling 126 feet deep. The water of the falls drop the top to bottom in one big leap. Its a 4 kms walk from the grounds to reach the falls. This fall has a religious aspect too from the villages point of view.

Narasimha Parvata : Narasimha Parvata is the tallest peak in the surroundings with a depth of 3780 feet. The trekking to Narasimha Parvata begins from Mallandhur Village . The route to Narashimha Parvata is not very dense but has several trees which are as high as 40 to 50 high. It takes approx. three hours to reach the Parvata or Hill. The sight from the Hills is panaromic.

Kigga : Kigga, a small village which houses to beautiful waterfalls - Mage bail and Sere mane. Kigga is about 16 kms from Sringeri. The local buses coming from Nassimha Parvata take you to the falls.

Ambuthirtha:
It is about 16 kms to the North-West of Thirthahally Town. The river Sharavathi takes its birth here and it is considered holy. A Shivalinga is installed at the spot.

Agumbe:
Nestling on a ghat head is the picturesque town of Agumbe famous for its glorious sunsets. Other spots include the Gopala Krishna temple and the observatory.

Belagavi:

Famous for Old Temples.

Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary:
Bhadra wildlife sanctuary is in the Shimoga and Chikkamangalur district is one of the most fascinating sanctuaries. Barking dear, Flying fox,Mongoose, Elephant, Panther, Gaur and birds like King Fisher, Weaver bird can be seen in this Sanctuary.

Gudavi:
A bird Sanctuary near Soraba.

Jog:
60 kms from Honnavar. The river Sharavathi spreads into four steams and cascades as the Raja, Rani, Rocket & Roarer.

Honnemaradu:
15 km from Jog Water Sports Centre.

Kodachadri:
Hill Station in Western Ghats.

Sinhadham:
A Lion Safari Park on Shimoga-Sagar Road.

Nearest Petrol Pump:

 

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:

Nearest Human Vegetation - Tirthahalli - Shimoga

Things to carry:

 

Tips & Suggestions:

Nearest Medical Help - Shimoga 80+ kms

?  The nearest Airport is Thiruvananthpuram ( 95 kms) and the railway station is Kollam and Aryankavu. The train to Kollam and Aryankavu can be catched from Thiruvananthpuram. Palaruvi is 4 kms from Aryankavu.
? There are good rest houses, both in Kollam and Aryankavu. However its better to get the Hotels booked in Kollam rather than in Aryankavu if you want to see some beautiful places around. Kollam being the gateway of Backwaters, it can also be a place for Backwater Excursion.
?   The nearest tourism place to Kollam is Periyar. From Kollam one can go to Periyar and see the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary there.
?  Palaruvi is also known for the Ayurvedic Healing Therapies Packages. Go for some of the famous therapies which are meant for rejuvenation for body and mind.

Barkana Falls Nearest Attraction

Agumbe Hillstation
Agumbe, a small village located in Karnataka for all those who wish to find peace with nature in the western ghats. It is known to be the wettest region in Karnataka receiving highest rainfall. The tiny village is much known for its beautiful sunset and the trek opportunities it offer.....more
Sharavathi Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in Shimoga District, Sharavathi Valley Wildlife Sanctuary spans over 431 sq km. Apart from the area occupied by the Liganamakki Reservoir or Honnemaradu, the sanctuary is divided into core zone, buffer zone and tourism zone.....more
Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary
Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Shimoga District of Karnataka. It spreads over 395 sq km of tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forests. The sanctuary is inhabited by tiger, leopard, wild dog, jackal, gaur, elephant, sloth bear, sambar deer, spotted deer, wild pig,....more
Ikkeri Archeology
Ikkeri is situated in Shimoga district of Karnataka state at about 3 km to the south of Sagar. The word Ikkeri in Kannada means "Two Streets". This place was the capital of Keladi Nayakas for some years....more
Keladi
Keladi is 10 km away from Ikkeri and was the Nayaka capital. You enter the precincts with its several small shrines through a long-roofed wooden entrance.....more
Honnemaradu Falls
Honnemaradu, the village, having been engulfed in the mid-1960s by the Liganamakki dam, has been literally resurrected today. This haven for water sport enthusiasts, tucked away in the lush greenery of the Western Ghats, is in the Shimoga District in north-west Karnataka, about 25 km from Sagar town on the way to Jog Falls.....more
Jog WaterFalls
The tallest and no doubt the most impressive waterfall in India, the Jog Falls(also known as the Gerusoppa waterfalls) is located about 400 kms from Bangalore in Karnataka. It is created by the Sharavathi River which comes down in cascades from a height of 292 meters at Gerusoppa in four distinct falls, called the Raja, Rani, Rover and Rocket.....more
Kunchikal Falls
Kunchikal Falls are the highest waterfalls in India and second highest waterfalls in Asia. They are located near Agumbe in Shimoga district of state of Karnataka. Kumchikal falls are formed by Varahi river. Currently Kunchikal falls are the prime source of one of the hydro electric projects in Karnataka.....more
Dandavathi River
Dandavathi is a river that flows in Sorab, India. It originates near Kuppe (Sorab taluk) and ends in the Varada river near Sagar. Sorab's Sri Ranganatha temple is built on the bay of the Dandavathi river.....more
Sharavathi River
Sharavathi is a river which originates and flows entirely within the state of Karnataka in India. It is one of the few westward flowing rivers of India and a major part of the river basin lies in the Western Ghats. The famous Jog Falls are formed by this river.....more
Varada river
Varada River, the only source of water for the Sagar town, is the major river of Shimoga District. Sagar is an industrial town in the heart of the Western Ghats, Sagar is located in Shimoga District of Karnataka. It is 75 km north-west of Shimoga.....more
Varahi River
Varahi River is a river flowing through Western Ghats to Basrur, Kundapur and Gungulli in western India. Varahi is a west flowing river which takes its birth in the Western Ghats at Hebbagilu, near Agumbe in Shimoga District.....more
Gudavi Bird Sanctuary
Sorab taluk of Shimoga district, comes alive in June as the energetic chirping of birds fills the air. The tree-lined banks of the Gudavi Lake become a brilliant mosaic of colours, with branches buried under bright plumage.....more
Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary
The Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary is situated in the Malenaadu region under the Shimoga district, towards Theerthahalli in Karnataka. The Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary has a spectacular collection of migratory birds.....more
Gajanur Dam
Gajanur is a village 12 km from Shivamogga in the Shivamogga District of Karnataka, India. The Tunga River flows through the village. Gajanur is well known for the dam built across the river.....more
Linganamakki dam
The Linganamakki dam was constructed by the Karnataka State Government in 1964. Located in the Sagara taluk, the dam has a length of 2.4 km, stretching across the Sharavathi river. It is located about 6 km from Jog Falls....more
Tunga Anicut Dam
Situiated 15 km from Shimoga, this dam was built across the river Tungabadra. You can enjoy boat trips around the lake. Situated around 15 Km from Shimoga, Tunga Anicut Dam is a popular choice for picnic among the locales.....more
Nagar
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Humbucha
....more