Thoseghar waterfall in Satara: Motha and Chota Dhabdhaba

This post is about my trip to Thoseghar waterfall in Satara in the post lockdown period. The Thoseghar waterfalls were on my bucket list for a long time. But due to some reason or another my plans would get cancelled. And this time I finally got to witness this natural wonder in the Western ghats of India ie. the Sahyadri.

Thoseghar waterfalls are located at the edge of the Deccan plateau and the Konkan region. This natural marvel is located closer to the Koyna wildlife sanctuary.

Moreover, the area around the waterfalls was very well maintained. Cleanliness and hygiene seemed to be the priority. And the viewing platform from where you can see the waterfalls was safe.

Quick details about Thoseghar waterfall in Satara

• Best time to visit: July to November.
• Timings: 9 am to 6 pm.
• Entry fees: ₹30
• Washrooms and parking: Available and clean.
• Accessibility: Not accessible by wheelchairs or strollers.
• Food: Few snacks stalls near the waterfall gate.
• Transport: The best way to reach Thoseghar waterfalls near Satara is by your own car or bike. And if you have none, you can easily rent it in Pune or Satara. The frequency and timeliness of public transport in this area is debatable.

Satara to Thoseghar waterfall

The drive from Satara to Thoseghar waterfall is scenic. The roads are in good condition and yet there are no crowds. There arent many cities, industries or towns ahead. So, this is why there is always less traffic and more nature here. I would say industrialists, please stay away. Moreover, there are fewer restaurants or dhabas on this route.

The ghat or mountain pass leading towards the Thoseghar waterfalls is built on the shoulder of a mountain. There is a beautiful valley on the left, and more mountains across the valley. Moreover, you will start spotting several windmills all around you. It feels magical to see these giant windmills (close up), as well as tiny windmills (faraway), filling up the landscape. They add a slow consistent motion to it.

Distances to Thoseghar waterfall

• Satara to Thoseghar waterfall: 27 km
• Pune to Thoseghar waterfall: 137 km
• Mumbai to Thoseghar waterfall: 280 km
• Mahabaleshwar to Thoseghar waterfall: 93 km
• Panchgani to Thoseghar waterfall: 73 km

Thoseghar Waterfalls in Satara

Very close to Satara is a small village town called Thoseghar. The waterfalls here are named after the village itself. The area around the waterfalls is a dark woody forest. There are some good steps and walking trails descending towards the waterfalls. You should wear good footwear as you have a short hike before you reach the waterfall viewing area.

The atmosphere here is very cool and quiet. Inside this park-like area, are two viewing points from where you can see two different waterfalls. They call one of them as Motha dhabdhaba or the large waterfall and another one as Chota dhabdhaba or small waterfall.

Motha Dhabdhaba at Thoseghar waterfalls

This is the most spectacular valley in the Sahyadris. I was amazed that this kind of place even existed in Maharashtra. As I reached the viewing platform I could see numerous waterfalls emerging from the surrounding mountains and falling into the dark green valley below. The water creates a deep gorge which goes ahead for a long way.

The highest one of them falls from a height of almost 200 metres. And close to it is another large waterfall which is comparatively smaller in height. Apart from these 2 large waterfalls which take up all the attention, several others fall from various heights all around this valley. It is a sight to behold.

I could hear the thunderous roar of the waterfalls echoing through the valley. After squinting a bit I could see a small lake at the base of the waterfalls. It was full of pristine blue water from the mountains. And I could also see a distinctive mist rising up from the rocks on which the water collided continuously.

Here, I was squinting because the sun was directly behind the waterfalls. I would recommend visiting this place early in the morning or afternoon. I reached Thoseghar around 5.00 pm and the sun was blazing just behind the waterfalls. At this point, it was hard to see clearly in the valley below. And my pictures too had a lot of overexposure rendering them almost useless.

But at that moment, when I was looking at these waterfalls, I realised the power of water and nature. I realised what a small place I take up in this world. And this viewing platform was built in the best place, giving us the best view of the waterfalls. It was safe at the same time. You cannot enter the waterfalls, or reach the base of these waterfalls.

Please note: This is not the highest waterfall in Maharashtra. The highest waterfall in Maharashtra is Vajrai Waterfall (560+ meters) located near Kas Pathar. I read it somewhere on the internet before visiting. But later found out that this isn’t the highest one after all.

Chota Dhabdhaba at Thoseghar waterfalls

After descending some steps, you come close to these dramatic waterfalls. It was almost closing time when I reached this place and the sun was about to set. The light was soft and the roar of the waterfalls was loud.

There is a walking trail which takes you very close to this waterfall. Here, you can witness the immense power of water up close. Moreover, at the base of the waterfalls is a beautiful blue lake. But the area is sealed off for safety reasons. So you cannot take a dip in these waterfalls either.

Honestly, these waterfalls felt even better than the other larger ones. Moreover, the cleanliness around here added to its natural beauty. For a moment I felt as if I was in Croatia or the Philippines and not in Maharashtra, India.

Waterfall Cave

Just beside this waterfall is a small dark cave. I didn’t see much inside it, cause it was damp and wet. But the place was interesting. I could think of how some ancient men must have lived inside this cave close to this source of water, long before modern civilizations took over.

Other places to near Thoseghar waterfalls

As I mentioned earlier, I reached Thoseghar waterfalls on one evening, just before sunset. And it took me some time to turn my back on the Chota Dhabdhaba at Thoseghar waterfalls. So by the time I finished visiting this attraction, it was already dark. I had planned to visit Chalkewadi windmills viewing point for the sunset. And also some other places nearby which I am mentioning below. So, if you have extra time, make sure to check these out too.

• Chalkewadi Windmills point
• Thoseghar Lake: This is the lake from where the water comes to these waterfalls. Needless to say, it must be spectacular too.
• Kas Pathar, Kaas Lake and Vajrai Waterfall: A must visit in the flowering season from August to October.
• Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Sajjangad Fort.

Find more places to visit in Satara.

FAQs about Thoseghar Waterfall in Satara