Bangaluru.org - "Gokak Falls" Waterfalls in Karnataka

Gokak Falls Located 65 kms from Belgaum, Gokak gets its name due to the Goki trees found in abundance in these areas. Close to the town is the Gokak Falls. Here, river Ghataprabha takes a leap over a rocky bed 170 ft down which makes a beautiful sight. The Gokak Falls is also known as the Northern Mysore Falls.

6 kms from Gokak town. And once you are finished with the city and all it has to offer, set tracks for the sights close by. To explore or relax, the natural springs, rivers and hills give the maximum pleasure like only nature can. Let her take over at the Gokak Falls.

Take the unconventional low level bridge from the Dhunpadal village and watch the great Ghataprabha river wind its way serenely before plummeting over a sandstone cliff of 52 meters. The rugged valley and the picturesque gorge are what inspire poetry. The dull roar of the falls can be heard much before you reach it. Except in width and colour of the water, the general features of the fall, its height, shape and rapidity above are much like those of " Niagara".

Definitely so, the falls, with a horseshoe shape at the crest, have a flood breath of 177 meters. Interestingly, electricity was generated here for the first time in the country in 1887. The generating station can be reached on the ropeway. Recommended only for the extra courageous! A walk down either bank of the rocky gorge rewards you with ancient Chalukyan monuments waiting to be explored. Check out the inscriptions dating back to the 6th century or wander through the serene temples of Shanmukha, Mahalingeshwara, Basavanna or Durga.

During rainy season , the thick reddish brown water sweeps far over the brink of the cliff with a dull roar that can be heard from some distance. There is a hanging bridge across the river, measuring about 201 metres. Its height above the rock bed is 14 metres.

July to September is the best season to visit the place. The Gokak Falls can be developed into a fine tourist attraction

Other attractions include the Godachinmalki Falls.

Hidkal dam was constructed in the year 1977 with an estimated cost of Rs.9.47 Crores. Area irrigated under this is 13400 hectors.

Photograph of the Tateshwara Temple near the Gokak Falls in Karnataka, taken by Thomas Biggs around 1855, from 'Architecture in Dharwar and Mysore'.The Tateshwara temple is a Shiva temple on the south side of the falls. It faces north, an unusual orientation for Shiva temples. It has a sanctuary with a mandapa or hall. The outside walls of the closed hall are from recent times.

Distance:-	65 km from Belgaum
By Road:-	6 hours
Location:-	Belgaum
Route:-	Bangalore to Belgaum then Gokak town.
When to go:-	July to September is the best season to visit the place.
Tourist offices:-	KSTDC(bookings and info) Badami House, NR Square, Bangalore Tel: 080-2275869, Fax: 2352626 Email: kstdc@vsnl.in
Where to stay :-	Sankam Residency Gandhi Nagar, Airport Road, Belgaum - 590 016 Tel: 08312-455838 - 41 Fax: 08312-455618 Tariff Range: Rs. 775/- to Rs. 2500/- Travel Inn Pune-Bangalore Road, Sattur, Dharwad - 580 002 Tel: 08362-464848 Fax: 08362-464849 Tariff Range: Rs. 1550/- to Rs. 2300/-+Tax Hotel Adarsha Palace College Road, Opposite Lingraju College, Belgaum - 590 001 Tel: 08312-435777 - 84 Fax: 08312-431022 Tariff Range: Rs. 595/- to Rs. 1250/- +Tax Hotel Karishma Near Hubli Toll Naka, Pune-Bangalore Road, Dharwad - 580 004 Tel: 08362-436441 - 43 Tariff Range: Rs.595/- to Rs. 1250/-+Tax Hotel Milan Kittur Chennamma Circle, Club Road, Belgaum - 590 001 Tel: 08312-425555, 62, Fax: 08312-423535 Tariff Range: Rs. 400/- to Rs. 1200/- Hotel Hoysala Opposite Kittel College, Pune-Bangalore Road, Dharwad - 580 001 Tel: 08362-445627 - 29 Tariff Range: Rs. 300/- to Rs. 700/- Central Park Shankar Plaza, Pune-Bangalore Road, Dharwad - 580 001 Tel: 08362-440797, 448389 Tariff Range: Rs. 270/- to Rs. 650/- Hotel Keerthi Near R.T.O Circle, Pune-Bangalore Road, Belgaum - 590 016 Tel: 08312-466999 Fax: 08312-437999 Tariff Range: Rs. 300/- to Rs. 600/- Hotel Vaishali Vijaya Road, Dharwad - 580 001 Tel: 08362-226805 Fax: 08362- 445755 Email: shali_dwd@satyam.net.in Tariff Range: Rs. 200/- to Rs. 560/- Hotel Dharwar Pune-Bangalore Road, Dharwad - 580 001 Tel: 08362-447725, 447727, 443349 Tariff Range: Rs. 500/-Above Pai Hotel Opposite Central Bus Stand, Pune-Bangalore Road, Belgaum - 590 016 Tel: 08312-432252, 426877 Tariff Range: Rs. 160/- to Rs. 450/- Hotel Western Tower Kirloskar Road, Belgaum - 590 002 Tel: 08312-430331, 32 Tariff Range: Rs. 150/- to Rs. 400/-+Tax Brindavan Lodge Station Road, Dharwad - 580 001 Tel: 08362-441580, 444417, 740078 Tariff Range: Rs. 135/- to Rs. 333/- Hotel Sheetal Khadebazar, Belgaum - 590 002 Tel: 08312-429222, 467664, 400610 Tariff Range: Rs. 120/- to Rs. 325/-+Tax Meenakshi Lodging and Boarding Station Road, Belgaum - 590 001 Tel: 08312-422734 Tariff Range: Rs. 200/- to Rs. 300/-+Tax Hotel Pavan College Road, Belgaum - 590 001 Tel: 08312-426424, 430424 Tariff Range: Rs. 200/- to Rs. 300/-+Tax Hotel Gurukrupa Saptapur, Dharwad - 580 001 Tel: 08362-772856 Tariff Range: Rs. 200/- to Rs. 300/- Hotel Nataraja Near Sangam Talkies, Sangam Circle, Dharwad - 580 008 Tel: 08362-442855 Tariff Range: Rs. 200/- to Rs. 300/-