The moment I first stood in front of the waterfalls at Barehipani and watched them fall almost 400 meters through the lush greenery of Similipal I realized why people hardly mention Odisha when talking about places like Meghalaya or the Western Ghats and why they should. The Eastern state Odisha features more than 15 waterfalls in its lush hills and jungles, from over. This list features not just the 2nd tallest falls in India but also waterfalls where you can enjoy a laid back picnic with a mountain and jungle backdrop just an hour away from the capital city Bhubaneswar.
This is your ultimate guide to the top waterfalls in Odisha including the best time to visit, how to find them, what to expect and what to take along. Alongside the detailed list of water bodies, advice on seasonal precautions and answers to the most common first time visitor questions.
Why is Odisha a waterfall paradise?
Aside from a handful of very impressive exceptions, waterfalls in Odisha are all the product of the Eastern Ghats cross range hills that run down the state’s western and southern flanks catching the south west monsoon and funneling it into scores of seasonal and perennial streams. The biosphere reserve of Similipal, the Gandhamardan hills and the hilly tracts west of Kendujhar and Sundargarh add still more to the mix of Odisha waterfalls, some roar up past 200 meters in height and others run a sluggish trickle once the rains are gone. What distinguishes these waterfalls from some of the more prominent Indian waterfall circuits is how relatively few people visit many of them which means you could often stumble upon a truly magnificent waterfall without a single other traveler in sight even during the busiest part of the year.
The 15 Best Waterfalls in Odisha (Detailed Guide)
1. Barehipani Falls – India’s Second Highest Waterfall
Location: Mayurbhanj | Height: 399m
Best Time: October to February | Entry: Forest permit required
I’ve never seen a waterfall that makes the surrounding forest feel small the way Barehipani does. Tucked in Similipal National Park, it drops in two dramatic tiers off the Meghasani hills, and on a clear day you can watch the mist rise from a designated viewpoint reached by jeep safari. This is, without argument, one of the best waterfalls in Odisha for sheer scale.
Perfect For: Wildlife lovers, photographers
Nearby: Joranda Falls (4 km), Similipal Tiger Reserve safari zones
2. Joranda Falls – Similipal’s Twin Beauty
Location: Mayurbhanj | Height: 150m
Best Time: October to February | Entry: Forest permit required
A short drive from Barehipani inside the same reserve, Joranda drops in a single, uninterrupted plunge over a forested cliff face. It doesn’t get Barehipani’s crowds, which makes the walk to the viewpoint feel almost private. Pair the two in one trip most visitors do — and you’ll cover Similipal’s best waterfalls in a single day.
Perfect For: First-time Similipal visitors
Nearby: Barehipani Falls (4 km), Similipal nature trails
3. Duduma Falls – The Roaring Wonder of Koraput
Location: Koraput | Height: 175m
Best Time: July to December | Entry: Free
The Machkund River hits Duduma with real force, and during monsoon you can hear the roar well before you see the falls. It’s one of the most powerful of all Odisha waterfalls, straddling the Odisha–Andhra Pradesh border, with roughly 700 steps leading down to the base for those who want the full view.
Perfect For: First-time visitors, photography
Nearby: Gupteswar Cave Temple (67 km), Koraput Tribal Museum.
4. Khandadhar Falls – The Sacred Stream
Location: Sundargarh | Height: 244m
Best Time: October to February | Entry: Free
Shaped like a sword blade cutting through the hillside, which is exactly what its name means, Khandadhar falls is the second-tallest of Odisha’s waterfalls after Barehipani. The single, uninterrupted drop over Korapani Nala is best appreciated after a short trek through dense sal forest, and the horsetail spray is especially striking just after the monsoon.
Perfect For: Trekkers, serious photographers
Nearby: Vedvyas Temple, Rourkela city
5. Pradhanpat Falls – The Hidden Gem of Deogarh
Location: Deogarh | Height: 65m
Best Time: October to February | Entry: Free
Just a kilometre from Deogarh town, Pradhanpat falls is proof that you don’t need a long trek to find a proper waterfall in Odisha. A small temple to Maa Pradhani sits beside the falls, and the well-kept park around it makes this one of the easiest family picnic spots on this whole list.
Perfect For: Families, easy day trips
Nearby: Basant Nivas, Deogarh town temples, Kailash palace
6. Sanaghagara Falls – The Serene Cascade
Location: Kendujhar | Height: 30.5m
Best Time: October to June | Entry: Nominal fee
Sanaghagara means “small waterfall” in Odia, and it lives up to the name — a modest, two-drop cascade set inside a well-maintained nature park just outside Kendujhar town. There’s a boating lake, a children’s park, and enough shade to make this a genuinely relaxing stop rather than a trek.
Perfect For: Families, casual visitors
Nearby: Badaghagara Falls (3 km), Kendujhar tribal museum
7. Badaghagara Falls – Nature’s Amphitheatre
Location: Kendujhar | Height: 60m
Best Time: October to June | Entry: Nominal fee
Badaghagara, located just 3 km downstream of Sanaghagara at the same Machha Kandana river, is a waterfall that surpasses Sanaghagara in height and draws very few visitors. Besides providing a magnificent scenic view, this special place is of practical importance; the solitary waterfall is the only source of water for the residents of Kendujhar via the reservoir.
Perfect For: Quieter alternative to Sanaghagara
Nearby: Sanaghagara Falls (3 km), Kendujhar town
8. Harishankar Falls – The Temple Waterfall
Location: Balangir | Height: 21m
Best Time: November to February | Entry: Free
Harishankar sits on the southern slope of the Gandhamardan hills, cascading over granite in stages right beside the Harishankar Temple, dedicated to a combined form of Vishnu and Shiva. Bathing in the pool at the base is considered spiritually cleansing by pilgrims, and the natural rock slide is a genuine highlight for anyone visiting.
Perfect For: Pilgrims, families
Nearby: Harishankar Temple, Gandhamardan Hills
9. Phurlijharan Falls – The Spiritual Retreat
Location: Kalahandi | Height: 16m
Best Time: July to December | Entry: Free
Phurlijharan waterfall, which is nestled inside the Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary, is located close to Bhawanipatna. The best feature of Phurlijharan waterfall is the formation of the little rainbows when sunlight penetrates the forest canopy during spraying conditions. The waterfall is a more peaceful and introspective attraction than the typical Odisha waterfalls, and the forest sanctuary around enhances the possibilities of sighting deer or langurs.
Perfect For: Nature walks, quiet visits
Nearby: Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhawanipatna town
10. Devkund Falls – The Pool of Gods
Location: Mayurbhanj | Height: 15m
Best Time: July to September | Entry: Free
Devkund forms one of five sacred pools locally known as Pancha Kunda, and a climb of over a hundred stone steps leads up to the Ambika Temple perched above the falls. The trek through dense Similipal-adjacent forest to get here is part of the appeal — this is one of the more offbeat Odisha waterfalls, and it rewards the effort.
Perfect For: Pilgrims, moderate trekkers
Nearby: Ambika Temple, Similipal buffer zone
11. Bhimkund Falls – The Mythological Marvel
Location: Kendujhar/Mayurbhanj border |
Height: Natural rock pool, multi-tier
Best Time: July to February | Entry: Free (small watchtower fee)
Named after Bhima of the Mahabharata, who is said to have bathed here, Bhimkund is less a single drop than a striking natural pool of blue-green water cutting through white marble rock on the Baitarani River. A watchtower straddling both districts gives you a view of the falls from above, which is worth the short climb.
Perfect For: Photography, mythology enthusiasts
Nearby: Ghatagaon Maa Tarini Temple, Karanjia town
12. Koilighugar Falls – The Lesser-Known Wonder
Location: Jharsuguda | Height: 61m
Best Time: July to December | Entry: Free
Reached through thick sal and mahua forest near Lakhanpur, Koilighugar hides a submerged Shivalingam inside the falls itself, with a second one installed outside for pilgrims. It’s one of the least-visited entries among the best waterfalls in Odisha, which makes it a good pick if you want scenery without the crowds.
Perfect For: Offbeat explorers
Nearby: Belpahar town, Lakhanpur
13. Handibhanga Falls – The Broken Pot Falls
Location: Kendujhar | Height: 61m
Best Time: July to December | Entry: Free
“Handibhanga” translates to “broken pot,” a nod to local legend about the shape the falling water carves into the rocks below. It sits around 30 km from Khandadhar Falls, so the two are easy to combine, though the connecting road can get rough during monsoon.
Perfect For: Combining with Khandadhar
Nearby: Khandadhar Falls (30 km)
14. Gandahati Falls – Southern Odisha’s Quiet Cascade
Location: Gajapati | Height: 20m
Best Time: October to February | Entry: Free
On the Mahendratanaya River near Paralakhemundi, Gandahati draws steady winter crowds without ever feeling overrun. It’s a good stop if your Odisha waterfall trip is taking you toward the southern hill country rather than Similipal or the western belt.
Perfect For: Southern Odisha circuit
Nearby: Paralakhemundi town, Mahendragiri hills
15. Nrusinghanath Falls – The Foothill Shrine
Location: Bargarh | Height: 15m
Best Time: October to February | Entry: Free
On the northern foothills of the Gandhamardan, same as at Harishankar, Nrusinghanath combines a small waterfall with a 14th century cave temple of Lord Nrusinghanath. A perfect extension if you’re heading to Harishankar already; the temple architecture in itself makes the detour worthwhile.
Perfect For: Temple-and-waterfall combo trips
Nearby: Nrusinghanath Temple, Gandhamardan Hills
Waterfalls in Odisha by Region
Waterfalls in Koraput District
It is Duduma Falls which is the main attraction here, the powerful Machkund River is tumbling off these falls close to the border in Andhra Pradesh. It is the water which gives the landscape a special flavor here, and you will find deep tribal areas home to the Bonda, Gadaba and Paraja communities nestled among the mountain folds of the Eastern Ghats. A visit to Duduma should be combined with the Koraput Tribal Museum and Gupteswar Cave Temple nearby to get a good picture of the region.
Waterfalls in Mayurbhanj District (Simlipal Region)
Barehipani, Joranda and Devkund are located in or on the edge of Similipal National Park and Mayurbhanj is the easiest single location to use for chasing more than one waterfall trip of Odisha within a single trip. Besides waterfalls, Similipal is a UNESCO biosphere reserve and tiger habitat, and so waterfall visit could be combined with wildlife spotting and so expect forest permits and jeep safaris to be the normal part of such a trip.
Waterfalls in Sundargarh District
Khandadhar is located at the panchayat of Bhadrasahi in Sundargarh district alone. True to form, this is a spectacular waterfall – the second highest single-drop waterfall in the state of Odisha after Barehipani. The district is an industrial region with the Rourkela steel plant and in itself. So one leaves the district into a very different state when venturing out into the lush sal forests of Khandadhar.
Waterfalls in Kendujhar District
Kendujhar packs the most waterfalls into each square km of anywhere. Sanaghagara Badaghagara Bhimkund, and Handibhanga are all within a few hours drive of one another. The district makes a simple two day tour, able to combine the picnic waterfalls with the haunting mythologies of Bhimkund.
Waterfalls in Deogarh, Balangir & Bargarh Region
For waterfall come several in this western pocket in combination with the town of temples: Pradhanpat near Deogarh, Harishankar in Gandhamardan hills of Balangir and Nrusinghanath just on the other side of range in Bargarh. All three have equal waterfalls and temples and because of this, if you want both then this is the best area to visit.
Waterfalls in Kalahandi, Jharsuguda & Gajapati
The other waterfalls on this list are a little more spread out Phurlijharan inside Kalahandi’s Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary, Koilighugar hidden away in the forest belt of Jharsuguda, and Gandahati in Gajapati down near Paralakhemundi. They’re not near each other, but every one is worth one more little trip if you happen to already be rolling through that section of the state.
Best Time to Visit Waterfalls in Odisha
It’s Monsoon (July-September) that delivers the biggest water flows to most of Odisha’s waterfalls; Duduma, Khandadhar and Koilighugar are often truly deafening damn it all that was a sight and sound yet can be treacherous: the paths can become unmanageably cloggy, the low-lying roads frequently cratered out and leeches rampantly active in holidaymaker-friendly forests like Similipal.
The best season to visit all of them is surely Autumn (October-December) when most are flowing strongly, the weather is fine and the roads more manageable. It is for undertaking a comprehensive Odisha waterfall experience that time of year becomes best.
Winter (January-February) really is just good for trekking and camping. The weather is cool but the flows at the lesser Kolkata and Badaghagara exhibit will have started to abate.
Summer (March-June) is best avoided for most, as flows at all but perennial Bhimkund and Badaghagara dwindle to mere drizzles.
How to Plan Your Odisha Waterfall Trip
If time is your constraint, it’s best for a one-day visit to have a small base in a major city and then find the closest waterfall you want to see. Bhubaneswar places you near to Pradhanpat and Nrusinghanath, while Rourkela is the perfect startpoint to Khandadhar. A weekend with a small regional trip with staying for two to three days, would make for a very good choice, the Similipal circuit (Barehipani Joranda Devkund) as well as the western Odisha circuit (Harishankar Nrusinghanath Pradhanpat) include 3 or 4 cascades without too much of a drive involved. For a trip of a complete view, 7-10 days would be good, from Mayurbhanj to Kendujhar, Sundargarh, and Koraput, covering all the major waterfalls at the same time. Still, for such parts the use of a car will be better than other public transport means as a rule.
Essential Tips for Visiting Waterfalls in Odisha
- Go through the weather forecast for the day before going out, Mostly in the months of monsoon.
- During heavy downpours, you must not swim or wade near the feet of the mountain – flash floods are common in this region.
- Keep to the trails that are marked and viewpoints; the loose rock close to such steep edges can bring accidents.
- Bring a basic first-aid kit, insect repellent, and a flashlight for forest trails.
- Dry or wet weather makes a trekking pair of shoes with a firm grip the necessity. Mainly in slippery rocks like Duduma rock.
- You should consider hiring a local guide to explore offbeat and deep-lying forest interior falls like Devkund and Koilighugar.
- You ought to take with you the waste bags which were not cleaned since several of these sites lack regular cleanup service.
- Get permission beforehand from the local tribal communities near such sites as Duduma and Khandadhar before taking their photographs.
Which is the highest waterfall in Odisha?
Barehipani Falls is the highest waterfall in Odisha as well as the second-highest in the country. The waterfall is around 399 metres in height and is situated inside the Similipal Tiger Reserve in the Mayurbhanj region.
Which is the best waterfall to visit in Odisha?
That is the question of the person. First timers most commonly pick Duduma because of its mighty and easily accessible beauty.Adventurers might prefer Barehipani or Khandadhar, while a leisurely spot for a couple to have some quiet time may be perfect at Pradhanpat or Sanaghagara.
Are Odisha waterfalls safe to visit during monsoon?
In general, yes but you have to be careful. Don’t go for the waterfall, but take the view points instead. Rain just won’t stop visiting. Also, skip the ones which are deep in the forest like Devkund if it looks unsafe on that day to drive.
Do I need permits to visit waterfalls in Odisha?
Only those in the Similipal area – Barehipani, Joranda, and Devkund require a pass for the forest, which can be obtained through the Similipal Tiger Reserve headquarter. Most other waterfalls on the list are open to the public and do not require a permit.
What is the best time to visit waterfalls in Odisha?
October to December is the period you would prefer if you are a seasoned visitor. This period is good for these reasons: water flow is still heavy from the rainy season, no clouds and most importantly, roads are in their proper condition again.
Start Your Odisha Waterfall Adventure
From the thunder of Barehipani to the quiet temple pool at Harishankar, Odisha’s waterfalls cover a genuinely wide range of experiences packed into one state. You don’t need ten days to get a real feel for it. Pick one region, whether that’s Similipal in the north or the Gandhamardan hills in the west, and build outward from there on your next trip. Whichever you choose first, you’ll likely come back planning the next one. If you’ve already been to any of these, I’d love to hear which one topped your list.
