Kuntala Waterfalls: A Day spent with Mother Nature

Guest Blog Post by Sandhya Dandi

I’d like to recall a wonderful trip that I along with my friends went for in the month of June this year to rejuvenate ourselves with positive energy while we move on to next phase of our professional life - a trip to Kuntala Waterfalls, Nerdikonda, Adilabad District, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Kuntala Waterfalls, located 260KM away from Hyderabad towards Adilabad is the highest falls in Andhra Pradesh and a magnificent spot to spend few special days of yours. According to the popular and prevalent local belief Kuntaala Waterfall got its name after Shakuntala, the beloved wife of King Dushyanth who fell in love with each other and were mesmerized by the scenic beauty of the surroundings.

When our team members decided to go on a trip, we had lot of options but we froze upon this place so that we could end the hot summer on a cool note to just wash away all the heat in waterfalls. Our preparation for this trip, includes though is not restricted to, carrying a map with the directions, hiring a cab, taking some snacks and water bottles, looking up for restaurants available en route to Kuntala, etc.

Our journey started early in the morning on the NH – 7 road on the way to Adilabad-Nagpur. Half of the distance was easily covered, thanks to the four lane national highway. We travelled for more than four hours amidst the required breakfast break to reach a village called Neredigonda. Just after this village, we took right into a very small road. After travelling around 10 KM through the lush green fields and dense forest of the Sahayadri mountain range we finally reached Kuntala which are fed by monsoons.

After parking the vehicle, we walked around half a kilometre to reach a place with 408 steps down to waterfalls. While getting down the steps, you can feel the air around, filled with the magic of gushing and splashing water. The cool breeze surrounds you with the aroma of the dense flora. This ecstatic feeling, one has to definitely experience to understand the charm of the same. The walk was well deserved as at the end we could witness the mesmerising scenic beauty of waterfalls.

We further trekked another half a km through big rocks to reach the footsteps of the waterfalls. We had splendid time wading across these rocks and playing in the waterfalls. It is an experience in itself to look at the water splashing down from a height of 45 metres with such a force that water below turn into whirls. Couple of my friends trekked further on these big rocks to reach the top of the falls. But later they realized it’s too steep and very risky to do so. Although it is quite hot on the rocks, you can cool yourself off in the mystical water. If practically possible we could have settled there. Even though we didn’t want to go, in the end we had to as it was getting late and we were very hungry and extremely thirsty. We had some snacks and shared the only bottle of water we had with us.

Finally, we started climbing the 410 steps again to reach our parking place. It was a tiresome journey back to the top but we were satisfied with our experience at the fall. Somehow we managed to reach the top.

We realized the true value of cold water we purchased from a stall after travelling for more than 10kms before hitting the road to Hyderabad. In the evening, we had some food at the same hotel that we had breakfast from.

Note: Make sure that you carry lots of water bottles and some food parcels with you, as you will not get anything for at least 10 kms from the waterfalls.

We slept almost entire of the return journey and the rest of the journey we spent recollecting the breath taking scenic beauty of the magnificent waterfalls. It’s a truly amazing trip that you can finish in a day if you are coming from Hyderabad or nearby places. A little tiring one; but definitely worthy. I strongly recommend visiting this place especially during the monsoon season.

Attached are the snapshots of some moments back at Kuntala. Here is a brief summary:

How to reach:
250 kms from Hyderabad, and 45 kms (appoximately) from Nirmal, on National Highway no.7, and is on the way to Adilabad-Nagpur.

Where to stay:
As these waterfalls are located near to village Neredigonda, you will not find any hotels to stay nearby. Ideal place is to stay in Nirmal hotels. You will find lot of good hotels in Nirmal.

Food Facility:
You will find some small hotels and Dhabas in Neredigonda Village, which is on the highway. You will not enjoy food, but you can take some snacks and cool drinks before going to waterfalls. Take food parcels from Nirmal hotels (on the way), if you are going from Hyderabad.

When to visit:
Plan your trip in the months of July to December so that you can enjoy the full flow of rain water.

Hyderabad to Nirmal - 210 Kms - 5 hours approx.
Nirmal to Neredigonda - 30 kms - 45 minutes
Neredigonda to Kuntala - 12-15 kms - 30 minutes