Jog Falls on the Sharavathi River, Shivamogga district, Karnataka
© Amith Nag Photography/Moment/Getty Image
The art of taking the plunge. Jog Falls, Karnataka
Most rivers spend their lives flowing around obstacles. The Sharavathi River reaches the edge of a cliff and simply jumps. At Jog Falls in Karnataka, the river plunges 253 metres, making it the third-highest waterfall in India.
Set in the Western Ghats, Jog Falls is formed by four distinct cascades: Raja, Rani, Roarer and Rocket. Each stream has its own style before joining the grand plunge below. Raja descends with royal composure, Roarer provides the soundtrack, Rocket lives up to its name and Rani adds a touch of grace.
The falls are at their most powerful during the monsoon, when water surges over the cliffs in a curtain of white. In drier months, the separate streams become easier to spot. Either way, visitors are treated to a view that makes quite a splash. At Jog Falls, the river's biggest drop is also its biggest moment.
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