Another spectacular sight in the Western Ghats is the Iruppu falls. Lakshmanatheertha river originates in the Brahmagiri hills in the Western ghats and falls elegantly at this place from a height of 51.8 meters.
Picture1 – On the way to Iruppu Falls
Iruppu falls is 50 Kms from Madikeri and 20 Kms from Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary bordering Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala. The sacred river Lakshmanatheertha flows northwest from here to join another rivulet, the Ramatheertha. After the confluence the river changes its course northeastward to join River Cauvery near K.R.Nagar, Mysore district.
Picture2 – Trek to Iruppu Falls and Brahmagiri Hills
The drive in the evergreen forests to the falls is extremely beautiful. The luscious paddy fields shining in the mild sunlight in the valleys adds to the scenic beauty.
Picture3 – Sunlight trying to enter the trek path
Picture4 – Iruppu Falls in full glory
The vehicles have to be parked near the Rameswara temple and a trek of 0.75 kms uphill will reveal the waterfalls.
Picture5 – Glimpses of Iruppu Falls
Orchids, Medicinal plants, Creepers of all sizes, giant butterflies like Malabar Banded Peacock (Papilio Buddha) and Common Banded Peacock, damsel dragonflies and above all the white sheets of water hitting the rocks and creating a lagoon for visitors to splash around makes this place a garden of eden.
Picture6 – Creepers, Burr Mallow Flower, Orchid Pholidota Imbricata
Picture7 – Moth and Damsel Dragonfly
There are many other trekking paths that one can explore.
- 9 Km trek to Brahmagiri peak
- 4 Km trek to Narimale forest rest house
- 7 Km trek to Munikal Caves
Picture8 – Common Banded Peacock Butterfly
The temple of Sri Rameswara/Shiva, which is built in Kerala style of architecture is extremely beautiful.
Picture9 – Rameswara Temple
The temple has a circular garbagriha and a low shikara. Its enclosure has shrines to Gandhrava, Bhairava, Mahadeva, Ganapathi and Parvathi. 7 days of celebrations are held every year during Mahashivaratri festival. An inscription dated A.D.1841 reads that Lord Rama, while returning from Lanka, rested on the banks of Lakshmanathirtha river along with Sita and Lakshamana and installed the Shiva linga.
The best time to visit Iruppu falls is from September to January.
Place Statistics:
Type of Place – Waterfalls
Situated – Madikeri District, Brahmagiri Hills
Distance – 250 Kms from Bangalore, 100 Kms from Mysore, 50 Kms from Madikeri, 20 Kms from Nagarhole National Park, 10 Kms from Srimangala
Transport – Well connected by road, private vehicles
Fecilities – Rest Rooms are available, a restaurant called Lakmanatheertha is located near the temple, where food is prepared on order
Information – Entry Tickets to be bought near the entrance just before the trek
