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| Chunchanakatte Falls |
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History
Situated on the Kaveri River, in Mysore, Chunchanakatte Falls is a waterfall with a height of about 20 meters. Sited in the Western Ghats, the river falls into two smaller cascades before joining again to flow as one big fall.
Chunchanakatte is also considered to be a sacred place for Hindus, as Lord Sri Rama stayed here along with his consort and brother Lakshman, during the course of their 14 years forest stay, and accepted the hospitality of a tribal couple known as Chuncha and Chunchi. The place is thus of great significance. Further, it is observed that the resonance of the potent falls can be listened in every corner of the area except for inside the sanctum sanctorum of the old temple situated here. The fables that does rounds here says that Lord Rama was exhausted with the unvarying complaints of Sita due to the sounds of the falls and thus he cursed the river saying that the tongue of a lady would never be sharp and since River Cauvery is considered to be a feminine the noise that the river made would then not be heard in the sanctum sanctorum of the lord.
It is even said that once when Sita was weary and sleepy and wanted to bathe, Lord Ram asked Lakshman to fire an arrow at a rock, and as soon as Lakshman shot the arrow, water in 3 different shades and qualities of turmeric, oil and shikakai, began to pour out from the rock. These shades are noticeable even today when there is a substantial amount of water in the falls. However, it is said that post the building of power plant, the falls have lost much of their beauty and charm and earlier it was none less than a paradise on earth with natural beauty at its maximum.
An ancient temple is also present here in the praise of Lord Kodandarama. Moreover, the exclusivity of the idol established here is that Goddess Sita stand to the right side of Sri Rama instead of the usual left side. As per the famous legend, while on his 14 years forest stay, Lord Rama met Agnatha Rishi and was overwhelmed by his devotion to lord Narayana, and so he asked the sage to ask for a boon and the Rishi then asked Lord Rama that he wishes to see Goddess Sita on his right side of Lord Rama. The boon was approved and so is the story behind the strange and rare idol installed in the shrine in the area. There are two Hanuman temples as well in the region, one towards the entry to the temple and the other beyond the temple limits near the river.
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Best time to visit
January and February are considered to be the best months to visit Chunchanakatte Falls.
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Trivia
Brahma Rathotsava or the car festival is one of the most famous festivals celebrated festivals held on the day of Makar Sankranti every year. Also, the cattle festival, is one of the biggest festivals in the region, and is held during the month of August.
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Timing
There are no particular timings for the waterfall. However, for safety purposes entry in the premises during late evening is prohibited.
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Travel Tools
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