Odisha's hills — the Similipal massif in the north, the Gandhamardan range in the west and the Eastern Ghats around Koraput — send hundreds of streams down to the plains, and some of the state's most beautiful places are their waterfalls. The table below lists 29 named waterfalls recorded in Wikipedia's list of Indian waterfalls, with heights where the list gives them.
The highest falls
- Barehipani Falls, Similipal, Mayurbhanj — about 399 m, a two-tiered fall and the tallest in the state. Inside the tiger reserve; entry follows the Similipal season and permits.
- Khandadhar Falls, Sundargarh — about 240 m, near Bonaigarh.
- Duduma Waterfalls, Koraput — about 175 m, where the Machhkund river drops at the Odisha–Andhra Pradesh border.
- Joranda Falls, Similipal — about 150 m, a single plunge near Barehipani.
- Khandadhar Falls, Kendujhar — about 150 m.
- Koilighugar Waterfall, Jharsuguda — about 61 m.
All waterfalls by district
| Waterfall | District | Height | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ammakunda Falls | Malkangiri | — | |
| Ashokjhar Waterfall | Jajpur | — | Near Sukinda |
| Badaghagara Waterfall | Kendujhar | 60 ft (18 m) | |
| Bagra Falls | Koraput | 30 ft (9 m) | |
| Barehipani Falls | Mayurbhanj | 1,308 ft (399 m) | In Similipal; India's second-highest waterfall by Wikipedia's list |
| Beniadhus Fall | Nuapada | 24 ft (7 m) | |
| Bhimkund Fall | Kendujhar | — | |
| Budhakholo Falls | Ganjam | 25 ft (8 m) | |
| Chatikona Falls | Rayagada | — | |
| Deokunda Falls | Mayurbhanj | — | |
| Duduma Waterfalls | Koraput | 574 ft (175 m) | On the Machhkund river at the Andhra Pradesh border |
| Gandahathi Falls | Gajapati | — | |
| Godhas Waterfall | Nuapada | 120 ft (37 m) | |
| Handi Bhanga Waterfall | Kendujhar | 30 ft (9 m) | |
| Harishankar Falls | Balangir | — | Beside the Harishankar temple on Gandhamardan hill |
| Hathi Pathar Falls | Rayagada | — | |
| Joranda Falls | Mayurbhanj | 492 ft (150 m) | In Similipal |
| Khandadhar Falls (Sundargarh) | Sundargarh | 800 ft (240 m) | |
| Khandadhar Falls (Kendujhar) | Kendujhar | 500 ft (150 m) | |
| Khanduala Falls | Kalahandi | — | |
| Koilighugar Waterfall | Jharsuguda | 200 ft (61 m) | |
| Machhakunda Falls | Koraput | — | |
| Miriglotah Falls | Sundargarh | — | |
| Nrusinghanath Falls | Bargarh | — | Beside the Nrusinghanath temple on Gandhamardan hill |
| Phurlijharan Falls | Kalahandi | 30 ft (9 m) | |
| Pradhanpat Waterfall | Deogarh | 30 ft (9 m) | |
| Putudi Falls | Kandhamal | — | |
| Rabandarh Falls | Kalahandi | — | |
| Sanaghagara Waterfall | Kendujhar | 30 ft (9 m) |
Heights are as given in Wikipedia's list; "—" means no height is recorded there. Several falls share a name or have local spellings, so check the district when planning a trip.
Visiting
- Season: the falls are at their best from the monsoon to about January. Similipal is usually closed to visitors in the monsoon months — check the park's opening dates before you go.
- Getting there: most falls are reached by road from the district town; the last stretch can be a forest track or a walk down steps.
- Safety: pools below waterfalls are deep and currents strong after rain, and drownings happen every season. Do not swim where it is not allowed, stay off wet rocks at the edge, and follow forest-department signs and timings.
- Nearby: Harishankar and Nrusinghanath falls sit beside the two famous temples on Gandhamardan hill; Sanaghagara and Badaghagara are a short drive from Kendujhar town.
