The Irupu Falls is located in the Brahmagiri Range in the Kodagu district of Karnataka, bordering the Wayanad district of Kerala. It is a fresh water cascade and is situated at a distance of 48 km from Virajpet on the highway to Nagarhole National Park.

The Iruppu falls presents a majestic sight with water cascading down from a height of 170ft. Originating in the lofty Brahmagiri peaks; the falls become a part of the Lakshmana Teertha River in the plains. During the monsoons, the Iruppu falls swell with seasonal rainfall. The roaring waters of the Iruppu coupled with the picturesque surroundings make it a great picnic spot.

The Rameshwara Temple, located nearby the falls, attracts a large congregation of devout pilgrims during the festival of Shivaratri. Natives believe that the Iruppu falls possesses magical powers and they purge one of one's sins. On the day of Shivaratri, devotees bathe in these falls to clean their sins.

The Falls are also known as the Lakshmana Tirtha Falls, derived from the name of the tributary of Cauvery which starts from these falls, the Lakshmana Tirtha River.

A forest trail leads from these falls to the Brahmagiri Peak in Southern Kodagu.

The Legend:

According to popular legend, Rama and Lakshmana, passed along the Bhramagiri range whilst searching for Sita. When Rama asked Lakshmana to fetch him drinking water, Lakshmana shot an arrow into the Brahmagiri hills and brought into being the river Lakshmana Tirtha. Due to this legend, the Falls is believed to possess the power to cleanse sins and is visited by thousands of devotees on Shivaratri day.

Approach:

The best time to visit the Falls is during the monsoons, when the Falls is at full capacity and is a breathtaking sight.Irupu is situated at 48km from Virajpet, 260km from Bangalore and 120km from Mysore. The Falls can be visited by the highway from Gonikoppal to Nagarhole National Park off the Kutta Road after Srimangala.