Ekagudi Waterfall in Salimi, Mathili, Malkangiri, Odisha

Tucked away in the forests near Salimi village, Ekagudi Waterfall is Malkangiri’s tallest waterfall — a 200-foot cascade of silvery water plunging off a rocky cliff into a clear pool below. Reaching it is half the adventure: rustic country roads through farmland and tribal hamlets, then a final 1 km trek through bamboo groves and dense woods. About 70 km from Malkangiri town and 30 km from Mathili, Ekagudi is still gloriously off the tourist map — which is exactly why it is worth the trip.

Key Highlights

• Ekagudi Waterfall drops about 200 feet (roughly 60 metres), making it the tallest waterfall in Malkangiri district, Odisha.
• It lies near Salimi village in the Mathili block — about 70 km from Malkangiri town, 30 km from Mathili and 90 km from Jeypore, the nearest railway station.
• The best time to visit is October to February, when the flow is strong and the trails are dry; avoid the monsoon (July–September), when the path turns slippery.
• The last stretch is a moderately challenging 1 km trek over rocky steps and tree roots — wear non-slip shoes and carry water, snacks and insect repellent.
• There is no published entry fee or gate timing; the waterfall is freely accessible. Winter picnics by the pool are a local favourite.

About Ekagudi Waterfall

Ekagudi is not a roadside attraction you photograph from a viewpoint and leave. The waterfall sits deep in the undulating hills of southern Odisha, fed by multiple small streams that swell into a powerful cascade during and after the monsoon. At the base, the water collects in a serene pool surrounded by native hardwoods, bamboo groves and wild orchids — keep an eye out for hornbills, deer and langurs in the surrounding forest. The roar of the falls reaches you before you see them: the final approach is a short trek, and the clearing at the end opens suddenly onto the full 200-foot drop. Some listings also mention the waterfall under the local name “Tulsi”, though this is not widely corroborated.

Things to Do at Ekagudi Waterfall

• Watch the cascade: the main event — best photographed in the morning light.
• Trek the final kilometre: rocky steps, roots and uneven ground make it a proper little adventure; take it slow in the wet season.
• Bathe in the pool: the spring water is clean and locals consider it a good bathing spot — enter carefully and stay within your depth.
• Picnic: winter is the classic picnic season here; carry your own food and take all waste back.
• Photography: golden-hour light on the falls is superb; drones need local permission.
• Birdwatching and nature walks: hornbills, passerines and orchids reward patient walkers.
• Tribal culture: the Koya, Bonda and Gadaba communities live in this region; Salimi’s local haats are worth a look for crafts.

How to Reach Ekagudi Waterfall

By Air

The nearest major airport is Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar, about 600 km away — a long journey, so most visitors combine Ekagudi with a wider southern Odisha trip. A new airport project for Malkangiri has been reported, which may eventually shorten this dramatically.

By Train

The nearest railway station is Jeypore, about 90 km from the falls, with connections to Visakhapatnam and Bhubaneswar. From Jeypore, hire a taxi or take a bus towards Mathili and Malkangiri.

By Road

The route runs via NH-326 from Malkangiri town, then local roads toward Salimi near Mathili — the final stretches are rural and partly unpaved, so a sturdy vehicle helps. Distances: Malkangiri town ~70 km, Mathili ~30 km, Jeypore ~90 km, Koraput ~130 km. Park at the trailhead and walk the last kilometre; the falls become visible roughly 1 km from the parking area.

The drive in deserves a note of its own. From Mathili the road narrows into red-earth tracks flanked by paddy fields and cashew plantations, passing Koya and Gadaba hamlets where weekly haats still run. The last few kilometres are unpaved and bumpy — a sturdy car or SUV is far more comfortable than a low sedan, and during the monsoon the track can get slushy enough that locals advise waiting for it to dry.

Best Time to Visit Ekagudi Waterfall

October to February is the best window: post-monsoon flow is still strong, the weather is mild, and trails are at their safest. March to June is doable — go early in the morning to beat the heat. July to September (monsoon) is not recommended: the trail gets slippery, the flow turns violent, and flash-flow risk rises. Winter doubles as picnic season, which is when most local families visit.

A Sample Half-Day Plan

Most visitors do Ekagudi as a morning trip from Malkangiri town. Leave by 7 am to reach Salimi in about two hours, trek the final kilometre, and spend an hour or two at the falls — watching the cascade, bathing in the pool and photographing the forest. Pack a picnic lunch (winter is ideal for this) and head back by early afternoon, or combine the trip with Satiguda Dam, which suits a relaxed sunset stop on the return leg. If you are coming from Jeypore, the Mathili–Salimi route makes a comfortable full-day outing with a local guide.

Entry Fee and Timings

No source — official or otherwise — publishes an entry fee or ticket price for Ekagudi, and one travel guide lists the timings as 24×7, implying open access. Treat it as free and open through the day, but visit in daylight: the forest trail should not be attempted after dark. Whether locals charge for parking at the trailhead could not be confirmed.

Nearby Places to Visit

Malkangiri district is waterfall country, and Ekagudi anchors a strong circuit. Satiguda Dam and Nature Camp (about 8 km from Malkangiri town) offers boating and nature walks — see our Satiguda Nature Camp guide. Dekrajodi Waterfall (about 20 km from Kalimela) sits near the Andhra border amid tribal shrines — read our Dekrajodi Waterfall guide. Ammakunda (about 70 km from Malkangiri, near Khoirput) is a perennial fall where the fish are believed to be Lord Vishnu’s Matsya avatar, and Gummajharan (near Sukriput, about 60–70 km) is called the district’s largest waterfall. For a broader shortlist, see our roundups of the most popular waterfalls in India and beautiful waterfalls in India.

Travel Tips for Ekagudi Waterfall

• Footwear matters: non-slip trekking shoes are essential; the rocky steps are treacherous when wet.
• Carry the basics: water bottle, snacks, basic first-aid, insect repellent, torch and a power bank — there are no facilities at the falls.
• Hire a local guide: the trail is unmarked in places and a guide from Salimi knows the safe lines.
• Travel in groups and keep phones charged; mobile network at the falls could not be confirmed.
• Stay back from edges: the rocks near the cascade are slippery, especially after rain.
• Respect the place: no single-use plastic, stay on marked paths, and respect local beliefs at any shrines.
• Stay options: basic homestays near Salimi; better hotels in Mathili or Malkangiri town — most visitors day-trip from Malkangiri.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Ekagudi Waterfall located?

Ekagudi Waterfall is near Salimi village in the Mathili block of Malkangiri district, Odisha — about 70 km from Malkangiri town and 30 km from Mathili, set in forested, hilly terrain.

What is the height of Ekagudi Waterfall?

Ekagudi drops about 200 feet (roughly 60 metres) from a rocky cliff into a pool below, making it the tallest waterfall in Malkangiri district.

How far is Ekagudi from Malkangiri town, Mathili and Jeypore?

Ekagudi is about 70 km from Malkangiri town, about 30 km from Mathili, and about 90 km from Jeypore (the nearest railway station). The final approach is by road to Salimi, then a 1 km trek.

What is the best time to visit Ekagudi Waterfall?

October to February is the best time — strong post-monsoon flow, mild weather and safe trails. March to June is possible with early-morning visits. Avoid the monsoon (July–September): trails turn slippery and the flow becomes dangerous.

What is the nearest railway station and airport to Ekagudi Waterfall?

The nearest railway station is Jeypore, about 90 km away, connected to Visakhapatnam and Bhubaneswar. The nearest major airport is Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar, about 600 km away.

Is there an entry fee, and can you bathe at Ekagudi Waterfall?

No entry fee or ticket has been published for Ekagudi — access appears to be free and open through the day (visit in daylight). The spring water at the base pool is clean and locals consider it a good bathing spot; enter carefully and exercise normal caution around slippery rocks.