Kunchikal Falls holds the prestigious title of India’s highest waterfall. Standing at approximately 455 metres, it surpasses all other waterfalls in the country in total height. Located in the misty, rain-drenched Agumbe valley of the Western Ghats, it is a spectacular example of a tiered cascade where water tumbles over successive rock ledges, creating a long, multi-stage descent.
Unlike single-plunge waterfalls, Kunchikal’s beauty lies in its extended vertical journey through the dense forest canopy of one of India’s wettest regions.
| Feature | Data / Fact |
|---|---|
| Status | Highest Waterfall in India |
| Total Height | 455 metres (1,493 feet) |
| Structural Type | Tiered / Cascading Waterfall |
| River System | Varahi River |
| State | Karnataka |
| District / Taluk | Shivamogga (Hosanagara taluk) – near Udupi border |
| Region | Agumbe valley, Western Ghats |
| Key Regulation | Varahi Hydroelectric Project + Mani Dam |
The falls are situated in the extremely high-rainfall zone of the Western Ghats. Agumbe receives some of the highest annual rainfall in South India, supporting lush evergreen forests and making the waterfall’s setting particularly dramatic during the monsoon.
Kunchikal is a tiered (cascading) waterfall. The water does not drop in a single free-fall from top to bottom. Instead, it descends in multiple stages over successive rock shelves, creating a long, stepped visual effect.
The flow of Kunchikal Falls is significantly controlled by human intervention. A large volume of water from the Varahi River is diverted for power generation at the underground Mani Dam powerhouse as part of the Varahi Hydroelectric Project.
Because of this diversion, the waterfall has become largely seasonal and man-regulated. It displays its full, massive height and volume primarily during the peak Southwest Monsoon (July–September) when heavy rainfall fills the reservoir and dam gates are opened or overflow occurs.
Kunchikal Falls is located in the Agumbe valley, one of the wettest regions in India. Agumbe is popularly known as the “Cherrapunji of South India” because of its extremely high annual rainfall.
The surrounding rainforest is part of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot and is a protected habitat for the King Cobra. The dense evergreen forests support rich flora and fauna, making the area ecologically very significant.
| Waterfall | Height | Type | State | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kunchikal | 455 m | Tiered | Karnataka | Highest in India |
| Barehipani | 399 m | Tiered | Odisha | High tiered cascade |
| Nohkalikai | 340 m | Plunge | Meghalaya | Highest single plunge |
| Dudhsagar | 310 m | Four-tiered | Goa–Karnataka | Railway viaduct |
| Jog (Gersoppa) | 253 m | Segmented Plunge | Karnataka | Four cascades (Raja etc.) |
Turn this article into marks: attempt location-based PYQs first, then revise the short notes on Indian and world geography.
Attempt these 10 exam-style MCQs based strictly on this article. Tap "Show Answer" to check yourself.
Q1. Which is the highest waterfall in India?
Correct: C. Kunchikal Falls in Karnataka is India's highest waterfall at approximately 455 metres (1,493 ft).
Q2. Kunchikal Falls is formed by which river?
Correct: B. The falls are formed by the Varahi River in the Agumbe valley of the Western Ghats.
Q3. What is the structural type of Kunchikal Falls?
Correct: B. It is a tiered (cascading) waterfall — water descends over multiple rock shelves, not one free-fall plunge.
Q4. Kunchikal Falls is located in which district and taluk of Karnataka?
Correct: B. It lies in Hosanagara taluk of Shivamogga district, near the Udupi border.
Q5. Agumbe, the region around Kunchikal Falls, is popularly known as?
Correct: C. Agumbe is called the "Cherrapunji of South India" for its extremely high annual rainfall.
Q6. The flow of Kunchikal Falls is heavily regulated by which project?
Correct: B. Water is diverted for power generation at the underground Mani Dam powerhouse under the Varahi Hydroelectric Project, making the falls seasonal and man-regulated.
Q7. The Agumbe rainforest near the falls is a famous protected habitat of which species?
Correct: B. The Agumbe rainforest is a protected habitat for the King Cobra.
Q8. Which is the highest plunge (single-drop) waterfall in India, often confused with Kunchikal?
Correct: D. Nohkalikai in Meghalaya (~340 m) is the highest single-drop plunge waterfall; Kunchikal is the highest tiered one.
Q9. During which months does Kunchikal Falls display its full height and volume?
Correct: C. Full flow occurs mainly during the peak Southwest Monsoon (July–September) when the reservoir fills and dam gates release water.
Q10. Barehipani Falls (399 m), the second-highest tiered waterfall in the comparison table, is located in which state?
Correct: A. Barehipani (399 m, tiered) is in Odisha, second only to Kunchikal's 455 m.
Kunchikal is the height-rank trap against Nohkalikai and Barehipani. Take a full geography mock, then lock the Varahi river in previous-year papers.
Start Free Mock Tests →Explore the complete series of India’s most important waterfalls for competitive exams.