mangalore today

Manipal: The Glorious Arbi-Falls needs attention of District administration


Mangalore Today News Network

Manipal: July 30, 2015: The sound of gushing water in calm and quiet surroundings filled with greenery around has a soothing effect on you at the Arabi Waterfalls located at Arabi Kodi in Yembattu Badagabettu village near here.


arbi falls


These cascading waterfalls, though not as high as others in the district, have their own beauty, charm and mesmerising impact.

They attain their majesty during the monsoon. They are just 4 km from Manipal and 9 km from Udupi; and can be reached in about 20 to 30 minutes from Udupi by car.

According to Krishna Nayak, a farmer, the water comes from a stream under a rock on the hillock.

The water (from the waterfalls) then joins a rivulet at Karvalu, which in turns joins the Udyavara rivulet. “There is more water during monsoon in the waterfalls. It becomes less during summer, but never dries up,” he said.

There aren’t food joints around, so tourists have to bring in food from home. “Most people come here during the weekends. If they do not have food with them, they have to drive back about a kilometre to get something,” said Ramakrishna, another farmer.

“It is one of the best places to de-stress and relieve tension,” said social worker Nityananada Volakadu.

No measures have been taken to promote these cascading waterfalls as a picnic destination. Vasudeva Nayak, former President of Yembattu Badagabettu Gram Panchayat, said the panchayat had passed a resolution urging the district administration to develop this spot. But the resolution was yet to be given to the administration.

“A road can be built to the left of the waterfalls to reach it easily. There is government land behind the waterfalls, which can also be used for creating additional facilities. But the land is thickly wooded,” he said.