The Gandahati waterfall is located on the Mahendratanaya River in the Gajapati District in Southern Odisha, India. It is a popular scenic attraction located about 30 km from Paralakhemundi.

Gandahati Waterfall
Gandahati waterfall is located in Odisha
Gandahati waterfall
LocationGajapati district, Odisha, India
Coordinates18°53′21″N 84°16′13″E / 18.889276°N 84.270147°E / 18.889276; 84.270147
Elevation180.5 m (592 ft)[1]
Total height20 m (66 ft)
Number of drops1
WatercourseMahendratanaya[2]

Gandahati waterfall is a tourist destination in the Gajapati District of Odisha and attracts a large number of visitors during winter. This waterfall is 153 km from Berhampur and 30km from Paralakhemundi.[3] It can be reached by road or train, with the nearest railway stations being Palasa and Paralakhemundi.[4] The route to the falls is covered with dense forest and crosses small villages. Nearby to Paralakhemundi is Centurion University of Technology and Management.

Infrastructure

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A temple to the Hindu Goddess Santoshi Maa's temple is located near the waterfall.

The river can be crossed via an adjacent wooden bridge. Additionally, there is a wooden fence that runs from the entrance to the waterfall area to the steps that lead to the waterfall. A small garden and playground are maintained for the amusement of the visitors.

Beneath the falls, the river is shallow, and visitors can wade into the water. Huge rocks offer another viewpoint where visitors can enjoy the fall and take photographs.[5][6][7]

Wildlife

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Traces of the Asian small-clawed otter have been found in 2013.[8]

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References

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  1. ^ "waterfalls - India". Gajapati District, Government of Odisha. 20 March 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2020. The waterfall area is 1212.40 ha, Height 20m, Longitude 840o-16'-23"N, Latitude 180o-53'-42"E. Altitude 609.9 Ft or 180.5m.
  2. ^ Express News Service, Express News Service (30 December 2018). "Renovation on for Titli hit Gandahati waterfall". The New Indian Express (in Odia). The New Indian Express. Express News Service. Retrieved 26 July 2020. Originating in Mahendragiri hills, river Mahendratanya flows down and falls from the hill to 100 ft at Gandahati, situated nearly 30 km from here.
  3. ^ "Gandahati Waterfall". Eodishatourism.com.
  4. ^ "Gandahati Waterfall - Paralakhemundi". Odishaat.com. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  5. ^ "Gandahati Waterfall - Best tourist guide website in Odisha | tourism guide - Odishavisit". 5 June 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  6. ^ "waterfalls | Gajapati District, Government of Odisha | India". Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  7. ^ "Tourist Place | Paralakhemundi Municipality". Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  8. ^ MOHAPATRA, Pratyush P.; PALEI, Himanshu S.; HUSSAIN, Syed Ainul (2014). "Occurrence of Asian small-clawed otter Aonyx cinereus (Illiger, 1815) in Eastern India". Current Science: 367–370.