Dekrajodi Waterfall lies near Bhejangiwada village in the Kalimela block of Malkangiri district, about 20 km from Kalimela and 51 km from Malkangiri town. It is a forest waterfall on the edge of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, and it has become the district’s best-known picnic spot, drawing families from both states through the winter.
Key Highlights
- A forest waterfall near Bhejangiwada village, Kalimela block, Malkangiri district, close to the Odisha and Andhra Pradesh border.
- About 20 km from Kalimela and 51 km from Malkangiri town; the nearest station is Jeypore, about 157 km away.
- October to June is the best time to visit, with winter the peak season for picnics and photography.
- Tribal statues and art near the falls reflect the culture of the tribal communities who live in the region.
- Facilities are basic, so carry drinking water, snacks, and first aid; the site suits a day trip from Malkangiri town.
What Dekrajodi Waterfall Looks Like
The water drops over rocky ground into natural pools below, with dense forest closing in on every side. The flow stays steady through winter and early summer, when the pools are calm enough for a light splash. In the monsoon the fall turns stronger and louder, and the rocks get slippery, so the visit needs more care then.
The setting is the main draw. The road in passes through forest patches, tribal villages, paddy fields, and low hills. Birdsong fills the air in the morning, and the forest holds butterflies and small wildlife that reward a slow walk. The fall is smaller and quieter than the big-name cascades, more like Rajgiri Waterfall in Nayagarh than the crowded falls near the cities, which is exactly why people who know it keep coming back.
Tribal Culture Around Dekrajodi Waterfall
Malkangiri is home to several tribal communities who have kept their customs, dress, and festivals alive for generations. Near the waterfall stand tribal statues and art installations that show that heritage: figures in traditional dress, scenes of ritual and dance, and craftwork made by local hands.
These pieces give the visit a second layer. The fall is the reason people come, but the art is what they remember, because it ties the place to the people who live around it. Local artisans sometimes sell handmade crafts near the site. Visitors should treat the statues and the forest with care, leave no litter, and ask before photographing people.
The picnic culture here is part of the same story. Families from Malkangiri and the nearby districts of Andhra Pradesh drive in with food cooked at home and spend the day by the water. In winter, the area fills with music, games, and group photos.
Things to Do at Dekrajodi Waterfall
Picnics lead the list. Bring food from home or from Malkangiri town, find a flat spot under the trees, and plan to spend a few hours. Short walks through the forest trails around the fall suit anyone who wants to stretch their legs, and the paths are gentle enough for beginners.
Photography and birdwatching fill the rest of the day. The forest edge holds birds through the morning, and the falls photograph best before noon. For a fuller trip, pair Dekrajodi with Ekagudi Waterfall near Salimi village in the Mathili block, another quiet picnic spot in the same district. Both falls sit on the same kind of forest road, and covering them together gives a good sense of how much of Malkangiri stays off the tourist map.
Swimming needs caution. The pools are shallow in the dry months, but the rocks are slick, and there are no lifeguards. Wade only where the water is calm and the bottom is visible, and keep children close.
How to Reach Dekrajodi Waterfall
The fall sits about 20 km from Kalimela, the nearest town and bus stop, and about 51 km from Malkangiri town. The road from Malkangiri runs through forest and tribal villages. A private car or taxi is the most practical option, since public transport thins out on the last stretch. Ask locally for the Bhejangiwada turn, since signboards are few and mobile signal fades near the falls.
By Air
The nearest airport is Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar, about 674 km away, which means a full day of road travel after landing. Most visitors fly to Bhubaneswar or Visakhapatnam and then travel by road towards Malkangiri. Check the route before you book, since the last leg depends on local buses and taxis.
By Train
Jeypore is the nearest railway station, about 157 km from the falls, with trains from Visakhapatnam and Bhubaneswar. From Jeypore, take a bus or taxi to Malkangiri town. The rail journey suits travellers coming from the coast, but the road leg after Jeypore still takes several hours.
By Road
Buses connect Malkangiri town with Jeypore, Visakhapatnam, and Bhubaneswar, and local buses run to Kalimela, about 20 km from the falls. From Kalimela, hire a taxi or auto-rickshaw for the last stretch. Driving yourself works if you download offline maps first, since the signal drops on the forest roads.
Best Time to Visit Dekrajodi Waterfall
October to June is the best time to visit, and winter, from October to February, is the peak season. The weather stays cool, the water runs clear, and the picnic crowds give the place a festive feel. Mornings and evenings are the best hours in summer, when daytime heat builds.
The monsoon, from July to September, makes the falls stronger and the forest greener, but heavy rain can make the roads hard to use. If you travel then, wear shoes with grip and leave before dark. For a first visit, pick a winter weekend, when the falls are at their most welcoming.
Nearby Places to Visit in Malkangiri
Ekagudi Waterfall near Salimi village is the closest companion trip, about 70 km from Malkangiri town and 30 km from Mathili. Ammakunda Waterfall near Balimela, about 40 km from Malkangiri town, is another forest fall worth the drive, and Garia Duduma, about 60 km from town, rounds out the district’s waterfall circuit.
For a wider view of the state’s falls, our list of the most popular waterfalls in India places Odisha’s best-known cascades side by side. Together, Dekrajodi, Ekagudi, Ammakunda, and Garia Duduma show why Malkangiri is gaining a name among travellers who like their waterfalls without the crowds.
Malkangiri town makes a practical base for the circuit. Stay the night there, stock up on food and water in the morning, and drive out to one fall a day. The roads are slow, so one waterfall per day keeps the trip relaxed.
Travellers who like the wildlife side of Odisha can also plan a trip to Bhitarkanika National Park, the mangrove and crocodile reserve on the Odisha coast, for a very different kind of nature day.
Travel Tips for Visiting Dekrajodi Waterfall
Carry drinking water, snacks, comfortable shoes, and a small first-aid kit, since the facilities are basic: small local shops, picnic spaces, parking, and resting spots. There is no entry fee published for the falls, but carry cash, since card payments are unlikely on these roads.
Travel with a local driver or guide if you do not know the area. Signboards are few, the last stretch runs through forest, and the mobile network fades. Start early so you reach the falls with daylight to spare, and leave before dark. Keep the site clean, respect tribal customs, and do not damage the forest or the rock. For more ideas across the state, see our Odisha tourism guide, which covers the temples, beaches, and waterfalls worth building a trip around.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Dekrajodi Waterfall located?
Dekrajodi Waterfall is located near Bhejangiwada village in the Kalimela block of Malkangiri district, in southern Odisha, close to the border with Andhra Pradesh. It is about 20 km from Kalimela and about 51 km from Malkangiri town, reached by a forest road that passes tribal villages and paddy fields.
What is the best time to visit Dekrajodi Waterfall?
October to June is the best time to visit Dekrajodi Waterfall, with winter, from October to February, the peak season for picnics and photography. The weather stays cool and the water runs clear. The monsoon makes the falls stronger but the roads harder to use.
How do I reach Dekrajodi Waterfall?
Drive or take a taxi from Malkangiri town, about 51 km away, via Kalimela, the nearest bus stop at about 20 km. Jeypore, about 157 km away, is the nearest railway station, and Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar, about 674 km away, is the nearest airport.
Is there an entry fee for Dekrajodi Waterfall?
No entry fee is published for Dekrajodi Waterfall, and the site has no ticket counter. Facilities are basic, with small local shops, picnic spaces, parking, and resting spots. Carry drinking water, snacks, and cash, since card payments are unlikely on the forest roads around the falls.
What can I do at Dekrajodi Waterfall?
You can picnic with family and friends, walk the forest trails, photograph the falls, and watch birds in the morning. Tribal statues near the falls show the culture of the local communities. Wade only in calm, shallow pools, since the rocks are slippery and there are no lifeguards.
Which waterfalls are near Dekrajodi Waterfall?
Ekagudi Waterfall near Salimi village in the Mathili block is the closest, and Ammakunda Waterfall near Balimela and Garia Duduma are also in Malkangiri district. All three are quiet forest falls that suit a picnic day trip, and visitors often combine Dekrajodi with Ekagudi in a single outing from Malkangiri town.
Weather Dekrajodi Waterfall
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