Orissa is a state crisscrossed with numerous rivers primarily fed by the monsoon rains. These rivers create gorges, river valleys, fertile basins and spectacular waterfalls as they cut through the state's undulating topography to join the Bay of Bengal in the pursuit of a larger water body - the Indian Ocean.

Badaghagra
The Badaghagra falls (about 60 metres) situated around 10 km from Keonjhar is amongst the most popular picnic sites in the region. One look at the beauty and serenity of the place is enough to understand why visitors make a beeline for it!

Barehipani
These picturesque falls (Barehipani - 399 metres and Joranda - 150 metres) situated in the core area of Simlipal National Park are perfectly complementary to their surroundings and are a beautiful bonus to the visitors of the sanctuary.

Duduma
Known as Matsya Tirtha, Duduma is famous for its waterfall (157.5 metres), as well as for the Machhakund Hydro-Electric Project.

Harishankar
On the southern slope of the Gandhamardan hills, around 81 km from Balangir, stands Harishankar, a place of pilgrimage, famous for its uncommon scenic charms and the presence of Hari and Shankar, the dual deities of the Vaishnav and Shaivite sects of Hinduism. A perennial stream gushes forth onto its granite bed to form cascades at different stages, the last fall providing a natural water slide to bathers! As a cool resort in the lap of nature, Harishankar is a panacea for the heat in the summer.

Hatipathar
3 km from Rayagada, the river Nagavali flows through a deep cut valley, forming two lovely waterfalls. An ideal picnic spot known for its scenic beauty, the place gets its name from the huge elephant shaped boulders (in Oriya, Hati means elephant and Pathar means boulder) that litter the landscape.

Joranda
These picturesque falls (Barehipani - 399 metres and Joranda - 150 metres) situated in the core area of Simlipal National Park are perfectly complementary to their surroundings and are a beautiful bonus to the visitors of the sanctuary.

Khandadhar
One of the prettiest districts on the tourist circuit is the Sundargarh region. Located amidst its lush forests is Orissa's most famous waterfall, the Khandadhar fall (about 244 metres). The beauty of this place makes it a site not to be missed.

Khanduala
The jungles of Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary, situated around 32 km from Bhawanipatna, provide the setting for another of Orissa's charming waterfall called Khanduala, so named because of the shrine of the Goddess Khanduala situated on the top of the hill.