Bhairaghumar Waterfall in Nabarangpur, Odisha

Deep inside the Ambapani Wildlife Sanctuary, near the Odisha–Chhattisgarh border, the Bhairaghumar Waterfall drops about 150 feet through dense forest — and the only way to reach it is a 2–3 km hill trek. Known locally as the Kuhudi Bhairaghumar Waterfall, it sits roughly 16 km from Chandahandi and about 100 km from Nabarangpur town. The falls are open daily from 8 am to 5 pm, the best months are October to June, and a visit takes half a day: drive in from Chandahandi, trek through the sanctuary forest, and end with a bath in the crystal-clear plunge pool. There is no published entry fee — expect a nominal forest-department charge and confirm it at the gate. Come for the waterfall, stay for the silence: this is one of Odisha’s least-crowded cascades, and the trail is half the experience.

Key Highlights

• Bhairaghumar Waterfall (locally Kuhudi Bhairaghumar) inside Ambapani Wildlife Sanctuary, Nabarangpur district — about 150 feet high.
• Reached by a 2–3 km hill trek through dense forest from the Chandahandi/Jharigaon side; roughly 16 km from Chandahandi and 100 km from Nabarangpur town.
• Open daily 8:00 am to 5:00 pm; best season October to June, with winter months ideal; nominal forest-department entry — confirm at the gate.
• Top draws: bathing in the clear plunge pool, forest trekking, picnics, bird and wildlife watching, and nature photography.
• Nearest railway station Jeypore (~142 km); nearest airport Biju Patnaik International, Bhubaneswar (~513 km); combine with other Ambapani falls like Badghumar and Karak.

About Bhairaghumar Waterfall

Bhairaghumar is a sanctuary waterfall in the truest sense — it exists inside the Ambapani Wildlife Sanctuary, a vast forested tract of roughly 600 sq km straddling the Odisha–Chhattisgarh border, and there is no motorable road to its base. What you get in exchange for the effort is a tall, clean cascade (about 150 feet) pouring into an emerald plunge pool, surrounded by unbroken forest where spotted deer, sambar, barking deer, wild boar, sloth bear and leopard are recorded in the sanctuary — and black panthers are famously sighted around the Behera reservoir.

The waterfall’s setting keeps crowds away. Visitor reviews call it a “hidden beauty” — the trade-off is honest: the approach road is rough in places, there are no shops or restaurants at the falls, and you carry in what you need. For trekkers, photographers and families who like their picnics wild, that’s precisely the appeal.

How to Reach Bhairaghumar Waterfall

By Air

The nearest airport is Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar — about 513 km away. This is a long journey (the best part of a day by road), so most visitors fly into Bhubaneswar or Raipur and continue by train or road toward Nabarangpur/Jeypore.

By Train

The nearest railway station is Jeypore, roughly 142 km from the falls, on the railway network of southern Odisha. (Ignore older travel pages that mention a “Nabarangpur railway junction” — Nabarangpur has no functional station.) From Jeypore, hire a taxi or take a bus toward Chandahandi/Nabarangpur.

By Road — and the Final Trek

The practical base is Chandahandi, about 16 km from the falls and the nearest bus stop. Nabarangpur town is roughly 100 km away and has the nearest cluster of hotels. From Chandahandi, drive to the sanctuary entry and continue to the trek start. The final 2–3 km is a hill trek through dense forest — the standard approach from the Chandahandi/Jharigaon side. (A longer 4–5 km route exists from the Bhawanipatna side of the sanctuary; the 2–3 km trek is the one most visitors take.) Wear proper trekking footwear and consider a local guide if you’re unsure of the trail.

Best Time to Visit

The best window is October to June, with the winter months (October–February) the most comfortable for trekking. The falls are at their fullest during and just after the monsoon — but the forest trail gets slippery then, so tread carefully and skip the trek in heavy rain. Summer visits are fine for the plunge pool, though the midday forest walk is hot; start early.

Entry Fee, Timings and Permissions

Timings: The waterfall area is open 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily. The forest department’s sanctuary entry operates roughly 9:00 am to 4:00 pm — a separate timing, so plan to enter the sanctuary early enough to complete the trek and return before closing.

Entry fee: No official fee figure is published anywhere. Expect a nominal forest-department entry charge or permit and confirm the amount at the gate on the day. The forest department also maintains nature camps and forest guest houses inside the sanctuary if you want to stay overnight — bookable through the usual Odisha ecotourism channels.

Things to Do at Bhairaghumar Waterfall

• Bathe in the plunge pool. The crystal-clear pool at the base of the falls is the main event on a hot day — but check the depth and current first, and keep children within arm’s reach.
• Trek the forest trail. The 2–3 km walk is rich in birdsong and wildlife sign; go slowly and listen.
• Picnic by the falls. Reviewers rate picnicking as the #1 use of the spot — carry all food and water, and carry every wrapper back out.
• Wildlife and bird watching. The Ambapani forest holds deer, monkeys, wild boar and a remarkable bird list; dawn and late afternoon are best.
• Photography. The cascade, the emerald pool and the panoramic viewpoints along the trail — sunset over the hills is the shot regulars chase.

Nearby Places to Visit

Bhairaghumar anchors a wider Ambapani circuit worth a full day:

• Ambapani Wildlife Sanctuary — the sanctuary itself, with its other waterfalls: Badghumar, Karak, Dokrichanchara and Thippa.
• Behera Reservoir — inside the sanctuary; known for black panther and wildlife sightings.
• Haladigundi valley — a scenic valley in the sanctuary landscape.
• Gudahandi prehistoric cave paintings — roughly 5 km from the sanctuary; ancient rock art.
• Chandahandi and Nabarangpur town — base towns for food, fuel and stays.
• Waterfall-hoppers can continue to Ekagudi Waterfall, Malkangiri and Dekrajodi Waterfall, Malkangiri, or the caves and hills of Balda Cave, Koraput — see our beautiful waterfalls of India roundup for the bigger picture.

Travel Tips and Safety

• Roads are rough. Multiple visitor reviews flag poor road conditions on the final stretch — a sturdy vehicle and daylight driving are strongly advised.
• Carry everything. There are no shops, restaurants or drinking-water points at the falls. Pack food, at least 2 litres of water per person, and a basic first-aid kit.
• Start early, return before dark. Complete the trek and exit the sanctuary well before the 5 pm closing — forest trails are no place to be after sunset.
• Wear proper footwear. Trekking shoes with grip, not sandals; the rocks near the pool are slippery.
• Consider a local guide. The trail is straightforward but unmarked in places; a guide from Chandahandi is cheap insurance.
• Respect the sanctuary. No littering, no loud music, no feeding wildlife — and never approach or corner wild animals.
• Swimming safety: the plunge pool looks inviting, but depths vary; non-swimmers should stay at the edges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is Bhairaghumar Waterfall?

Inside the Ambapani Wildlife Sanctuary in Nabarangpur district, Odisha, near the Odisha–Chhattisgarh border — about 16 km from Chandahandi and 100 km from Nabarangpur town. Locally it’s also called the Kuhudi Bhairaghumar Waterfall.

How long is the trek to Bhairaghumar Waterfall?

The standard approach from the Chandahandi/Jharigaon side is a 2–3 km hill trek through dense forest. A longer 4–5 km route exists from the Bhawanipatna side of the sanctuary, but most visitors take the shorter trek. Wear trekking shoes and allow 45–60 minutes each way at an easy pace.

What is the best time to visit Bhairaghumar Waterfall?

October to June is the recommended window, with the winter months (October–February) ideal for trekking. The falls run fullest during and just after the monsoon, but the trail gets slippery — avoid the trek in heavy rain.

What is the nearest railway station and airport?

The nearest railway station is Jeypore, about 142 km away. The nearest airport is Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar, roughly 513 km away — so plan this as part of a longer southern-Odisha itinerary rather than a quick hop.

Is there an entry fee or permission needed?

Expect a nominal forest-department entry charge or permit — no official figure is published online, so confirm the amount at the gate. The sanctuary’s forest-department entry runs roughly 9 am to 4 pm, separate from the waterfall’s 8 am–5 pm hours.

Can you bathe at the falls, and is it good for a picnic?

Yes to both — bathing in the clear plunge pool and picnicking by the falls are the two most popular activities, according to visitor reviews. Check water depth and current before swimming, watch children closely, and carry all food, water and litter back out with you.