Duduma is one of the most beautiful waterfalls you will see in your lifetime. It is marvellous falls, surrounded by greenery, mist and clouds. It almost looks heavenly from a distance, calling for us from a distance to witness its majestic falls of a height of 175 meters. It is located in Odisha.
Duduma waterfall ranks as one of the highest waterfalls in India with a height of 175 meters. It is situated at the Eastern Ghats near the Machkund River. If you are looking for an offbeat location to help explore, filled with adventure l, greenery in Odisha, this is your best spot. Here we will discuss the location, the history, how to reach and more.
Where is Duduma Waterfall Located?
Duduma waterfall is located in Koraput district situated in Odisha. This place borders Andhra Pradesh and there is just something magical about places that are situated on the border. There are two ways you can reach these waterfalls, one from koraput town and other from Jeypore. If you come from Koraput town, these falls are going to be 77 Kilometres and from Jeypore is 77 kilometres from the Duduma waterfall. These beautiful falls are roughly 3,000 feet above sea level, with the most breathtaking water fall you’ll ever see in India. With such a green terrain, irrespective of how warm the town is, this place is filled with mist and is much cooler than the town.
The way towards the waterfall is beautiful in its own way. It is breathtaking, filled with dense forest, so full of greenery and path towards the hills. You will enjoy the process of walking towards the hills as much as you’ll enjoy the stuffing view of the waterfall from the distance.Trip becomes special as both the route and destination are so enjoyable.
Also note that another name of Duduma that is popular amongst locals is “Machkund”. A lot of locals refer Duduma as Machkund so if you’re asking around the locals about the waterfall, you can always refer Duduma as Manchkun. Don’t get confused if locals refer to the waterfall by Machkund.
The Twin Falls -What Makes Duduma Unique
Duduma waterfalls looks stunning, majestic, standing 175 metre tall, with mist and clouds around it. Filled with greenery, it is just definitely one of the most beautiful waterfalls in India. If you’re nearby, you should definitely visit this waterfall because this is one place you should definitely explore in India.
The most unique part of this waterfall is that it is between two different states like the mountains Mount Abu. The waterfall splits in two distinct falls, one part of the waterfall drops on the Odisha side and the other one falls in the Andhra Pradesh side. While the waterfall divides the states into two from above, the river Machkund does the same on the land, becoming a concrete boundary between both the states.
According to the local legend,the common name popular amongst locals is called Matsya Tirtha, which also means”fish pond,” because of the abundance of fish that collect in the pool below the falls.
Duduma is classified as a horsetail waterfall which means that it is not a free-falling in a single narrow column, the water stays in contact with the rock face while it falls towards the Earth. This gives the falls a flowing, almost fabric-like appearance rather than the sharp plunge seen at many other Indian waterfalls.”
History and Machakunda Hydel Project Connection
Spiritual and cultural history
Local tribes and Hindu communities consider this place to be the home of Goddess Duduma, an avatar of Goddess Parvati.
Also according to the locals, saint Sri Chaitanya visited here in the 16th century to spread the teachings of Vaishnavism. This spiritual identity predates the region’s hydroelectric development by centuries. This is the reason why this area was a pilgrimage stop long before it became a very popular tourist destination.
The hydroelectric project
One of the most interesting facts is that the post-independence Machkund Hydroelectric Project brought the first real infrastructure and outside attention to the area. This project gave this place a spot on the map. The waterfall remains a major functioning source of hydroelectric power for the region even today.
How to Reach Duduma Waterfall from Jeypore and Koraput?
There are three ways to reach Duduma, here we will give you a quick review into the mode of transport, its cost and what you need to look out for.
By road (most common)
The first way to reach Duduma waterfall is to hire a private taxi from Jeypore or Koraput. This will cost you roughly ₹1,200-1,500 for the one-way trip
Checkpoint requirement: This is one of the most important details you need to keep in your mind. Now the Duduma waterfall is located near the Machkund Hydroelectric Project, due to which the visitors need to stop and obtain permission at a check post along the route. The drive itself is scenic but demanding, the roads include ghat sections with sharp bends, so an experienced local driver is strongly recommended rather than self-driving since it is unfamiliar territory.
Nearest railway and air links
Jeypore is the nearest railway station; the nearest airports are Visakhapatnam and Bhubaneswar, both of the routes require a long onward drive.
What is the Best Time to Visit?
The best time to visit the Duduma waterfall is Winter from November-February as it has cooler temperatures which makes this the most comfortable season, and it’s especially popular for picnics. You can also add Jalaput Dam in trip and make a weekend getaway out of this.
Monsoon (June-September)
The monsoon makes this place the most stunning. Duduma falls look so beautiful in the monsoon, so green, filled with petrichor, mist and it looks visually stunning.
Since it is raining, the roads can turn slippery and visibility may drop, so the roads can get a little tricky so tread carefully.
Summer (March-May)
Summers are not the best time to visit Duduma waterfall since the water flow drops noticeably, and the heat makes both the drive and the journey towards the peak quite exhausting.
What are the nearby Attractions
If you have a little more time, you can always visit these nearby attractions before calling it a day.
Jalaput Dam
It is a hydroelectric reservoir on the Machkund River, known for its scenic beauty and serene surroundings. Both the dam and the hydroelectric plant sit on the same river system.
Kolab Dam
This is a beautiful dam site near Koraput offering boating and sunset views.
Deomali Hill
Deomali hills is one of the highest peaks in Odisha, popular with trekking and camping enthusiasts. If you’re planning to visit this place with the Duduma waterfall, make sure you have at least half a day only for the hills.
Gupteswar Cave Temple
This is a Shiva temple set inside a limestone cave, worth including for readers interested in a religion or history or both.
Onkadeli tribal market
Here you get an interesting chance to see Bonda tribal life and trade firsthand, appealing to travelers wanting more than scenery.
Tips for Visitors Safety
There are certain things you need to keep in mind before making this trip-
- There are roughly 700 steps to the base of the falls so make sure to wear proper walking shoes, especially in the monsoon. Also the climb up is going to be more difficult.
- Make sure you carry your own water and snacks.
- Keep ID on hand for the hydel project checkpoint
How tall is Duduma Waterfall?
The Duduma falls is approximately 175 meters which is about 574 feet.
Can you swim at the base?
No, there are strong currents and this place is not ideal to swim.
What is the best month to visit Duduma falls?
The best time to visit Duduma falls is from August-September .
