Mandya district, between Bangalore and Mysore, sits right on the Cauvery river, and the river does something spectacular here — it splits and drops in stages, creating a set of waterfalls that are well worth a detour off the highway. Here's what to see and how to plan around it.

Shivanasamudra: Gaganachukki And Barachukki Falls

Shivanasamudra is actually home to two separate waterfalls — Gaganachukki and Barachukki — formed where the Cauvery splits around an island before dropping in stages. Gaganachukki is the more dramatic of the two, with the river falling in a wide, powerful sheet, and it's the view most people come for. Barachukki, a short drive away, is calmer and has viewpoints that let you get closer to the water.

The falls are at their most powerful just after the monsoon, roughly August through December, when the Cauvery is running full. By peak summer, the flow can thin out considerably, so timing your visit matters here more than at most waterfalls.

Balmuri Falls

Closer to Mysore, Balmuri Falls is a smaller, gentler cascade on the Cauvery, and it's a popular spot for a quick, easy outing — the water level is shallow enough in stretches that people wade in, which makes it a good stop if you're travelling with kids or just want a low-key riverside break rather than a dramatic waterfall view.

Planning Your Route

Shivanasamudra and Balmuri Falls both sit close enough to each other and to Srirangapatna that they work well as one combined day trip out of Mysore or a slightly longer one out of Bangalore. If you're coming from Bangalore, an early start makes the difference between a relaxed day and a rushed one, since there's a fair bit of driving between stops.