- Height
- About 45 m (147 ft)
- River
- Kadem
- Best time
- July to December
- Nearest railway station
- Adilabad
- Steps to base
- About 400
About the falls
The falls are fed by the Kadem river and its reservoir, and the name is linked to Shakuntala of the Mahabharata. Local belief holds that she and King Dushyanta met here and that she often bathed in these waters. Another explanation connects the name to the several small pools the water forms on its way down.
The approach road is in good shape, but the final descent is on foot. The climb back up is the tiring part, so pace yourself.
Best time to visit
Visit during or just after the monsoon, roughly July to December, when the flow is strongest and the twin streams are clearly visible. From January to June the water thins out considerably. In peak monsoon the current can be dangerous, so follow local instructions and stay out of the water where signs warn against it. Summer afternoons in this region are very hot.
Other waterfalls nearby
Adilabad district has several falls that pair well with Kuntala on a two-day trip.
- Pochera Waterfalls, about 22 km away and reachable by road
- Kanakai Waterfalls, about 35 km away on the Kadem river, good for short treks
- Gayathri Waterfalls, a remote fall deep in the woods close to Tarnam Khurd village
- Bandrev and Cheekati waterfalls in the same forest belt
How to reach
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad is the usual entry point for most visitors, followed by a long road journey north. Adilabad is the nearest railway station, with trains from Hyderabad, Nanded and other cities; from there a hired car covers the last stretch. The falls lie off the national highway that runs between Hyderabad and Nagpur, and buses serve Adilabad and Nirmal, the two common bases.
Tips for your visit
Wear shoes with a good grip for the wet steps, carry drinking water and leave before dusk. Photographers will also enjoy the Kadem dam nearby. We can plan a waterfall circuit from Hyderabad covering Kuntala, Pochera and Jainath Temple.
Also nearby
Plan it with us
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. We will build the route, book the car, driver and hotels, and send you a clear quote.
