Impromptu and sublime to Fire Falls (Benki Falls)!

There was ample time left once we done with Maralawadi Dam. Kids were unhappy since they couldn't play in water. It was relatively warm weather outside despite November and hence was easy to venture into waters. My better half quickly skimmed through the google and spotted Fire Falls (Benki) as nearby attraction. It was showing 25 mins for short 12kms drive primarily due to forest stretch. We decided to have it go despite images presenting the falls like stream than waterfalls.

We drove through thick forest area with cleanly laid winding road. The last few kms are rough patches but manageable. The google maps showed us the exact location from where one needs to hike for short 300mts. Apparently, the falls is located in Karnataka-Tamilnadu border and belongs to Tamilnadu state. The forest area was dolled up in lush greenery thanks to recent thunderstorm rains. These are the areas of wild elephant crossing and hence the area is guarded by high electric fencing. The fencing is activated post 5PM as per one of visitor.

We parked the vehicle nearby driveway. There was ample space along shoulder which provided enough room for main road travellers. Mobile network was naught to confirm if it was right location. Presence of cars assured that the location was spot on. The unguarded forest gate was open. We started to walk skeptically along the trail. As we climbed up road, the gush of water was clearly heard. That reaffirmed the presence of waterfall with considerable flow. While hiking, a two-wheeler visitor confirmed that the falls is nearby and guided us path to the falls.

The trail is simple and manageable with numerous bamboo trees. Perhaps grown to feed elephants. One needs to cross the electric fence to reach falls. The fence was not activated since our visit was around 2PM. We walked along the trail and sound of waterfall turned deafening. Finally we reached the waterfall and it was time to celebrate.

Perhaps the best decision we made. The waterfall even though had minimal flow was ideal to play and enjoy. The water was fresh and nature was clean. The presence of intermittent clouds and thick forest cover provided us relief from scorching sun. We were drenched in sweat despite shrouded by dense jungle. The fire falls or benki falls might be called so due to ruddy water which looks like fire color? Just a guess though :-).

Benki falls is cascade waterfalls with visible two cascades. The area of each cascade is wide enough like any other waterfalls. The creek water flows down the cascade and forks into multiple plunges along both cascades. The absence of significance water may the reason for forking. Unlike the waterfalls of western ghats, this waterfall sources water from seasonal thunderstorm and hence has limited view. The energy of waterfall was enough take a dip. Kids were unhappy since they couldn't enjoy the dip due to lack of backup clothes since the visit was unplanned. Despite that, they drenched their leg and splashed few rounds of water to pacify themselves :-).

A small creek leading to base of waterfalls and flows as cascade. The waterfall is mighty but presence of less water turns it tiny. The remnant of thunderstorm rains has kept the waterfall alive. But the glory wouldn't sustain long for sure. The thunderstorm season is best time to visit this place when falls would have considerable water. The mighty gush of creek would also will not help to play in water as authorities would restrict allowing tourists due to risks. Also it would be impossible to play in falls if the current is high in creek. The current flow depicted in pictures/video is ideal to both relax and enjoy in water!

To visit the base of first cascade, one has to follow the trail further. There are easy trails which leads to base of waterfall where you can enjoy the energetic shower. It is also possible to walk towards second cascade but nothing significant except for tiny fork diving alone.

Once done with experience, we returned to parking area. There is actually easier trail than we took for reaching waterfall. Its straight and not deep. 

Thanks to weather gods as well for providing relief from rain and sun. Overall it was mesmerising experience and successful unplanned visits always provides profound joy. Few hut type shelters are constructed nearby probably producing indigenous items.

We rode via Tamilnadu roads for few distance before reaching the Karnataka border. The lunch was late around 3PM but was worth thanks again to my wife for scouting good restaurants for famished :-).

Here is short video from visit. Please do not litter this natural beauty

Maralawadi Dam(lake)

17 October 2024,

Kids had half day school this Saturday. We chose Sunday since Monday was holiday for kids school. There wasn't a need to rush to school early Monday morning this week. Therefore we decided to wander this Sunday instead of usual Saturday and the place we chose was Maralawadi dam. We started around 10AM in morning and reached the destination comfortably around 12:30PM. Despite the 50% total distance is covering city limits, it was swift journey thanks to feeble traffic. Looks like city people stayed indoors or would have exited city on Saturday itself? Anyhow, that was advantageous for our drive.

We took south Bengaluru route which is generally hectic in terms of traffic. But Sunday was dry-day for vehicles. It was like thoroughfare crossing the infamous bengaluru traffic despite the metro constructions. We quickly arrived at Electronic city elevated highway and also spotted deviation. The Yellow line metro work is 100% complete but no rails o rails! Bad thing. Dont know whats stopping the authorities to commission this line. Lot of traffic issue would be resolved with this line coming up. Who knows whats the internal matter? I thought it was lobby of private/public players since it would drive away public to metro. Hope to see good news soon despite all the hurdles. I am afraid it would be monument like the abandoned fly-overs of Bengaluru if the operations doesn't start sooner. The entire yellow line stretch seemed like five-star hotel kept for distant watching!

The Maralawadi dam is rather a lake south of Bengaluru city. Its kind of rectangular shape spread longer than wider. The lake is adjacent to NH and is easily accessible. Google navigation took us right to the spot without any glitches. The name is derived from Maralawadi village 3kms from here. Its actually a lake with a spillway to drain excess water downstream.

The source of water is rainwater looks like. Thanks to healthy thunderstorm season, the lake was filled to brim. In fact, the spillway was still wet and draining excess water. The waterbody is surrounded by thick forests on one side and plantations on other side. As we gaze along horizon, distant hills entice us. The clear sight of hills gives us the indication of possible Air Quality Level in this region. This area is protected sanctuary for certain distance bordering both Karnataka and TamilNadu. Not many people here when we landed. Later few folks joined but left early. If you want to play in water, this is not the place. Its for pure nature enjoyment spot. There may be few shores nearby for water play but not official. We didn't explore much though!

The rickety board did not give clear picture of purpose of the lake. My hunch is that the dam storage is  primarily used for irrigation and drinking water. The primary attraction is pier on which you can enjoy panoramic view of the lake. 

Our next visit was impromptu and never planned. Thanks to wonderful wife who quickly skimmed for nearby attractions, we enjoyed thoroughly in this lush green nature beauty. The surprise would be unleashed in my subsequent post! Enjoy the lake glimpses for now!