Formed by the Sharavati River which cascades among the Western Ghats from a height of 6 to 7 feet, the Achakanya Falls is situated close to the village of Aralasurali which lies about 10 km away from the town of Thirthahalli in the Shimoga district of Karnataka.
About the Achakanya Falls
One of the less explored natural beauties of Karnataka, the Achakanya Falls is well hidden beyond view among the dense green forest ranges of the Western Ghats. The water level increases during the monsoon season and the river gushes down rapidly thus creating a fascinating sight to behold. The monsoon season attracts tourists and the Achakanya Falls becomes a great destination for trekkers. Hidden from view at the top of the hills, the trek becomes an experience to locate the waterfalls and to explore the vivid flora and fauna of the dense forested area.
Nearby attractions of Achakanya Falls
The areas near the Achakanya Falls has several other tourist attractions, one of them being Ambuthirtha, the origin of the Sharavati River, which is located in the mountains at a distance of about 5 km from the waterfalls. Another destination is the 100 year old Tunga Bridge created by Sir M. Visvesvaraya across the Tunga River. This bridge resembles the harbour bridge at Sydney. The hills of Anandagiri on the Shimoga Road and Siddeshwara on the Agumbe Road stand guard over the Thirthahalli town. They present a wonderful view of the surrounding areas from the summit. The other tourist attraction is the village of Kuppali at a distance of 18 km from the town of Thirthahalli. It is the birth place of the famous Kananda poet and playwright Kuvempu. Kavishaila and Kavimane are the two historical places to be seen in Kuppali.
Visiting information for the Achakanya Falls
To visit the Achakanya Falls, there are several means of transportations to reach Shimoga. The nearest airport to reach the village of Aralasurali is the Mangalore International Airport. The railway station is located in the town of Shimoga that stands at a distance of 60 km from the village. The ideal time to visit the waterfalls is during monsoon to experience it in its full splendour.
