Irupu Falls

Infobox Waterfall
name = Irupu Falls

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caption = View from top of Irupu Falls
location = Kodagu District, Karnataka, India
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height = 170 ft
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number_drops = 2
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watercourse = Lakshmana Tirtha River
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The Irupu Falls (also Iruppu Falls) are located in the Brahmagiri Range [http://www.travelcoorg.com/hotels_itinerary/packages.asp?id=767&aid=2 High Falls Holiday] ] in the Kodagu district of Karnataka, bordering the Wayanad district of Kerala. It is a fresh water cascade and is situated at a distance of 48 km from Virajpet on the highway to Nagarhole. [http://www.hillstationsinindia.com/south-india-hill-stations/coorg.html Coorg Hill Station] ] The Falls are also known as the Lakshmana Tirtha Falls, [http://www.dreamroutes.org/western/iruppufalls.html Irupu waterfalls in Madikeri] ] derived from the name of the tributary of Cauvery which starts from these falls, the Lakshmana Tirtha River. [http://www.karnatakatourism.org/sites/des_west_iruppu.html Karnataka Tourism] ]

A forest trail leads from these falls to the Brahmagiri Peak in Southern Kodagu. Irupu falls is a major tourist attraction as well as a pilgrimage spot. A famous Siva temple, the Rameshwara Temple is situated on the banks of the Lakshmana Tirtha River, en route to the Falls. This temple attracts a large number of pilgrims during the festival of Shivaratri.

The legend

According to popular legend, Rama and Lakshmana, passed along the Bhramagiri range whilst searching for Rama's beloved, Sita. When Rama asked Lakshmana to fetch him drinking water, Lakshmana shot an arrow into the Brahmagiri hills and brought into being the river Lakshmana Tirtha. [http://www.karnataka.com/tourism/coorg/ Coorg, The Scotland of India] ] Due to this legend, the Falls is believed to possess the power to cleanse sins and is visited by thousands of devotees on Shivaratri day. [http://www.incredibleindiaholiday.com/incredible-india-hill-resorts/coorg-hill-resorts.html Coorg Hill Resorts] ]

How to reach

The best time to visit the Falls is during the monsoons, when the Falls is at full capacity and is a breathtaking sight. Irupu is situated at 48km from Virajpet, 260km from Bangalore and 120km from Mysore. The Falls can be visited by the highway from Gonikopal to Nagerhole National Park off the Kutta Road after Srimangala.

*By air: Bangalore is the nearest airport. Mangalore airport may also be used to reach the Falls.

Other places of interest

* Abbey Falls
* Jog Falls

See also

* List of waterfalls in India

References

External links

* [http://www.karnatakatourism.org/sites/des_west_iruppu.html Karnataka Tourism: Irupu Falls webpage]
* [http://kodagu.nic.in/gallery/irupu/thumb.html Kodagu Website - Irupu falls photo gallery]