In India, we have about 108 waterfalls around the country. A waterfall is a natural body where it flows over the edge of a steep, high cliff in hills or mountains that falls into a pool. Waterfalls, commonly referred to as cascades, are significantly shaped by the process of erosion, which involves the gradual wearing away of the earth's surface. In turn, waterfalls contribute to this erosion process. Additionally, natural occurrences such as earthquakes, landslides, glaciers, or volcanic activity can disrupt stream beds and contribute to the formation of waterfalls. The presence of multiple waterfalls in a given area helps geologists and hydrologists identify the fall line and the underlying geological formations. In India, there are a total of 108 waterfalls located in different places. The top 5 highest waterfalls in India are:

 1.  Kunchikal Falls, Karnataka - Tallest tiered type waterfalls

 2.  Barehipani Falls, Odisha - Tiered

 3.  Nohkalikai Falls, Meghalaya - Plunge waterfalls

 4.  Nohsngithiang Falls, Meghalaya - Segmented type waterfalls

 5.  Dudhsagar Waterfalls, Goa - Tiered waterfalls

In this article, we can see the types of waterfalls, a list of the highest waterfalls in India in ascending order, with rivers and the top 10. For any queries, kindly visit the FAQs listed below.

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Types of Waterfalls

The list of waterfalls in India is categorized based on two basic ways to classify a waterfall. One of the ways is by grouping or classifying according to its shape. The other way is by classifying it according to its volume.

• Plunge: Plunge Waterfalls are defined as waterfalls that drop vertically without touching the underlying cliff face. Plunge waterfalls also generate enough spray to erode the underside of the cliff even further thereby causing alcoves or “caves” beneath the lip of the waterfall. Therefore, you can sometimes even go behind these types of waterfalls.

• Horsetail: Waterfalls classified as having a “horsetail” shape tend to fan out as they drop on a steep slope while still maintaining contact with the underlying cliff face. These types of waterfalls are either younger than the plunge type mentioned above, or the hard rock layer supporting the waterfall is steeply sloped to give the appearance.

• Fan: Waterfalls in this category are quite similar to that of the Horsetail variety. They share the common characteristic that the waterfall drops and slides along a steep slope while consistently maintaining contact with the underlying cliff. the difference is that the shape of the waterfall resembles more of a fan than a horse’s tail.

• Punchbowl: It describes the shape you get when you have a stream channeled into a narrow hanging gorge before it shoots over a drop that results in a plunge pool resembling a punch bowl.

• Block: Sometimes called rectangular waterfalls, these are the waterfalls that assume some rectangular shape. Waterfalls in this category end up being wider than they are tall. Usually, the wider the river that’s going over the ledge, the wider the waterfall is, and hence the wider the rectangle.

• Tiered: This category of waterfalls describes those that have more than one vertical leap or tier, but they’re close enough together to be seen together from a singular vantage point.

• Segmented: This category of waterfalls involves the descending watercourse splitting up into two or more parallel segments or threads. Usually, the cause of the split is some protruding rock in the middle of the watercourse before or during the watercourse’s steep cascading descent.

• Cascades: Waterfalls in this category descend along a sloped surface. From the standpoint of the evolution of a waterfall during waterfall formation, this fall could be in the early phase of its development, or the underlying hard-rock layer could be sloped with water moving along that slope.

• Chute: Waterfalls in this category are typically where its watercourse is forced into a narrow channel resulting in a violently pressurized ejection of water over its drop.

• Slide: Waterfalls flowing over a relatively low-angle slope fall under this category.

• Ribbon: Finally, this category is merely a toss-in to encompass very thin or ephemeral waterfalls that have a very narrow stream but may possess a long vertical drop resulting in its ribbon-like appearance.

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List of Highest Waterfalls in India 2024

The following table contains the list of the highest waterfalls in India 2024 pdf with their type. The height of the highest waterfalls in India is given in meters and they are also provided in the table below. This provides you with the information that is frequently asked in competitive exams. Most of the competitive exams contain a section called general awareness which is mainly concerned with static GK. The list of the Highest Waterfalls in India in 2024 is one of the frequently asked topics in the general awareness section. The candidates who are aspiring for the competitive exams should have prepared the topic List of Highest Waterfalls in India 2024 pdf and the highest waterfall in India on which river.

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List of Highest Waterfalls in India With Rivers

The highest waterfalls in India in which state and the highest waterfalls in India on which river are cleared with the table provided below. The table contains the list of the highest waterfalls in India with rivers. So candidates shall check out the location and rivers of the highest waterfalls in India are formed.

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List of Top 10 Highest Waterfalls in India 2024

Along with the list of highest waterfalls in India 2024, here we have listed out the top 10 highest waterfalls in India which will help you for the upcoming competitive exams.

1. Kunchikal Falls

Kunchikal Falls in Shimoga District of Karnataka is the highest waterfall in India and the second biggest waterfall in Asia. It is situated inside the Agumbe rainforest, the place receives rainfall every year and adds to the charm of the waterfall that falls from a height of 455 m as it originates from the Varahi River. It is the biggest waterfall in India. 

2. Barehipani Falls, Odisha

Dropping from a height of 399 m, Barehipani Falls is located inside the Simlipal National Park in Mayurbhanj. This two-tiered waterfall originates from the Budhabalanga River and makes its way through the rocky terrains of the mighty Meghasani mountain. This is the second-highest waterfall in India and attracts trekkers and nature enthusiasts from across the country. It is one of the most attractive tourist attractions in Odisha.

3. Nohkalikai Falls, Meghalaya

On the third spot is the Nohkalikai Falls in Meghalaya. Falling from a height of 340 m, this gorgeous waterfall is located near Cherrapunji in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya. The destination is characterized by heavy rainfall, root bridges, and plenty of nature. It lies about 5 km away from Cherrapunji town. Tumbling down from a height of 1,115 ft, it creates a large blue-green plunge pool at the bottom. 

4. Nohsngithiang Falls, Meghalaya

Dropping from a height of 315 m, Nohsngithiang Falls in the East Khasi Hills district is the fourth-highest waterfall in India. A gem of nature with seven streams, Nohsngithiang waterfall plunges over the limestone cliffs of the Khasi hills and is also referred to as Seven Sister Falls It is inundated with water throughout the year due to heavy rainfall in the region. The seven segments of the falls exemplify the seven sister states of north-eastern states namely Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, and Nagaland, Tripura. The waterfall is nearly a kilometer from the famous Mawsmai village in Meghalaya and is thus known as the Mawsmai Falls.

5. Dudhsagar Waterfalls, Goa

Number five on the list is Goa’s famous Dudhsagar Waterfalls. The spectacular waterfall has a height of 310 m and is one of the most prominent tourist attractions in Goa. The falls have their source in the Mandovi of Goa. This four-tiered waterfall creates an illusion of an overflowing sea of milk through the mountains. It lies in the southern part of Goa at Mollem along the Western Ghats and forms the border between Goa and Karnataka states.

6. Kyneram Waterfalls, Meghalaya

Kynrem Falls is situated inside a beautiful park known as Thangkharang Park, another popular attraction of Cherrapunjee in the East Khasi Hills District of Meghalaya. The waterfall spreads out in two different streams or rivulets with each of them gaining momentum by getting merged while flowing down the last leg of the third tier. The source of this fall originates from Thangkharang Park. The astonishing beauty of the falls can be best enjoyed during the rainy season when the streams are in full swing. You can get a view of Bangladesh also from here.

7. Meenmutty Waterfalls, Kerala

Meenmutty waterfalls are the tallest waterfalls in Kerala and also one of the most beautiful waterfalls, falling from a height of some 980 ft in the Wayanad district of Kerala. It is one of the famous tourist spots in south India. It is a 3 tier waterfall with a measurement of 300m each. Meenmutty Falls is the largest and most spectacular waterfall in Wayanad. Streams of the water gain their fierce strength during the months of monsoon.

8. Thalaiyar Falls, TamilNadu

Nestled in the Palani Hills in the Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu, Thalaiyar Falls is also known as Rat Tail Falls. It is the highest Waterfall flowing down from a height of 297 m (975 ft)  one of the tallest falls in Asia. The widest falls are very popular for their dangerous place and dark caves. On a bright sunny day, Thalaiyar Falls is also visible from the Dum Dum Rock viewpoint on the Batalugundu-Kodaikanal Ghat Road.

9. Vajrai Waterfalls, Maharashtra

Vajrai Waterfall is the tallest waterfall in India. The height of this waterfall is 1840 ft (560m) and it falls from a straight cliff having three steps (stages). The water for the waterfall comes from the river Urmodi. It is the origin of the river Urmodi. The waterfall is situated in the district of Satara in western Maharashtra.

10. Barkana Falls, Karnataka 

Originating from the Seetha River and gushing down from a height of 259 m (850 ft), and appears only during the rainy season. It is amongst the ten highest waterfalls in India. Barkana Falls is one of the ten highest waterfalls in India. The waterfall is located in the Balehalli forest area, at a distance of about 7 km from the Agumbe village in the Shimoga district of Karnataka. Barkana derives its name from Barka, a mouse deer found in this region. The grandiosity of the falls is truly mesmerizing during the rainy season when it is deluged with rainwater.

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FAQs

Q. Where can I get the list of the highest waterfalls in India pdf?

Here our Guidely team has prepared the list of the highest waterfalls in India pdf for the upcoming exams.

Q. Which  River has the highest waterfalls in India?

They fall from a height of 1493 ft., making it the tallest waterfall in India. The falls are situated amidst an abundant rainforest, verdant from the perennial rain. The largest waterfall is formed by the Varahi River.

Q. Which is the third highest waterfalls in India?

On the third spot is the Nohkalikai Falls in Meghalaya. Falling from a height of 340 m, this gorgeous waterfall is located near Cherrapunji in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya. The destination is characterized by heavy rainfall, root bridges, and plenty of nature. It lies about 5 km away from Cherrapunji town. Tumbling down from a height of 1,115 ft, it creates a large blue-green plunge pool at the bottom.

Q. Which is the highest waterfall in India Jog or Kunchikal?

With a height of 1493 feet, Kunchikal Falls in Shimoga District, Karnataka, is the highest waterfall in the country.

Q. Dudhsagar Waterfalls is located in which state?

Dudhsagar Waterfalls is located in Goa.

Q. Vajrai Waterfalls is located in which state?

Vajrai Waterfalls is located in the state of Maharashtra.

Q. What is the height of the highest waterfall in India?

The height of the highest waterfall in India is 1493 feet(455 m) Kunchikal waterfall.