Chitrakote Falls, located on the Indravati River in Bastar District of Chhattisgarh, is known as the Niagara Falls of India. Because of its horseshoe shape, it is nicknamed the ‘Small Niagara Falls’. Around 100 feet high and about 1000 feet wide, it is the widest waterfall in India. The amount of water discharged per second by Chitrakote is around 20 lakh litres. It is said that the pressure of the falling water is equivalent to the weight of 500 elephants.
The beauty of falls is seen throughout the year, particularly during sunset. As the fast flowing water of the river flows over the sharp near vertical rock exposure at the widest reach of the river, it generates misty clouds and then hits into a pond formed in a semicircular shape at the bottom of the falls. Adventure sports enthusiasts use boats in the stormy part of this pond. Pilgrims bathe in the calmer part of the lake. In the low flow season, paddle boats are used in pools formed in the upstream part of the falls. In the pool below the falls, swimming is permitted and paddle boats are permitted. Local boatmen can paddle their boats under the spray below the falls.
Picture Credit : Google