Penchalakona Waterfalls

The Penchalakona Waterfalls is among the most popular tourist attractions in Andhra Pradesh. Tourists from all over the nation like to visit this mesmerising site to witness one of nature’s most remarkable creations. The breathtaking beauty of the waterfall and its surroundings make up for an ideal weekend getaway within the state. Individuals looking for spiritual gain can visit the Penusila Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, which falls on the route to the waterfall. It is also known as the Penchalakona Temple and has a unique history of its own. When tourists plan a visit to the region, they often include both the waterfall and the temple in their travel plans. Alongside the natural flair of the falls, the peaceful and tranquil vibe of the region also draws a lot of people who like holidays in offbeat locations.

One of the most exciting aspects of visiting the Penchalakona Waterfalls is that individuals have to trek a short distance to reach the falls. It is a few metres away from the centre of the village and makes for an exciting adventure. The path leading to the falls is quite challenging and is surrounded by lush greenery and beautiful scenic views. Upon reaching the final destination, tourists can take a dip into the shallow water at the bottom of the falls to get relief from the summer heat. 

Location

Penchalakona Falls is one of the most beautiful and famous waterfalls in Andhra Pradesh. It is located in a small village called Penchalakona, within the district of Nellore. The waterfall is about a few kilometres away from the village centre and takes about half an hour to reach if you are starting your trek from the Penchalakona Temple. For reference, the Penchalakona Waterfalls is about 80 kilometres from Nellore City, 115 kilometres from Tirupati and 132 kilometres from Kadapa. The official address of the falls is Penchalakona Waterfalls, Penchalakona, Rapuru Mandal, SPSR, Andhra Pradesh 524414.

Language spoken in Penchalakona waterfalls

The waterfall is located in Andhra Pradesh’s Penchalakona village. Hence, the locals in the region mainly use Telugu as their primary language. Besides that, the two other languages tourists can come across when sightseeing in the region are Urdu and English. However, individuals who are unfamiliar with the Telugu language or the route to the waterfall can hire a local guide. They are mostly fluent in English and Hindi, and you can talk to them to learn more about the falls.

Known for

If you are going on a trip to Andhra Pradesh, there’s a good chance you have already heard about Penchalakona Waterfalls as a popular tourist attraction. Here’s what the site is mainly known for: 

• Natural beauty and atmosphere- The natural beauty of the Penchalakona Waterfalls and its surrounding region is one of the prime reasons why tourists like to visit the place. The dense greenery, and towering rocky landforms on all sides, create magnificent scenic landscapes that are ideal for photography. In addition, its tranquil atmosphere attracts tons of visitors who want some time out from the bustling city life in the state.
• Cool dip- Tons of tourists visit the Penchalakona Waterfalls to take a cool dip in the small plunge pool at the bottom of the falls. This fun activity is a bucket list item for visitors coming to Penchalakona village. 
• Fun trekking spot- The route to the waterfall from the Penchalakona temple makes for an incredible trekking adventure. The path is filled with rocks, slippery slopes and uneven ground, making it a bit challenging, especially when the water flow is strong. The short trek takes about 30-40 minutes and is perfect for thrillseekers.
• The Penchalakona temple- The Penusila Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, which falls on the route to the waterfall, is a major attraction in the region. It is located at the foot of a hill in the Penchalakona Valley, just a few metres from the waterfall. The temple’s religious significance and annual festival make it a must-visit site near Penchalakona Falls. 
• Picnics- The Penchalakona Waterfalls is considered one of the best picnic spots in the Nellore district. The beautiful landscape, enchanting waterfall and challenging route give the spot a unique charm. 

Type of place

The Penchalakona Waterfalls is a famous waterfall in a small village in the Nellore district. It is one of the best natural tourist places in Andhra Pradesh and a well-known picnic spot. The nearby Narasimha Temple makes the region a prominent spiritual hub, attracting thousands of devotees around the year. A lot of casual adventure lovers also prefer visiting the Penchalakona Waterfalls due to its challenging route, which is ideal for trekking activities. The versatile nature of this popular tourist attraction makes it quite a unique place to visit in the state.

How to get to Penchalakona Waterfalls?

There are a number of transport options that individuals can choose to get to Penchalakona Waterfalls in Andhra Pradesh. This includes;

By air

The best option for individuals who want to visit Penchalakona Waterfalls by air is to travel to Tirupati Airport. It is the nearest airport to the destination which is served by popular carriers. It is connected to the major cities in India, like Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, New Delhi, Hyderabad, etc., and features frequent flights. Once at the airport, tourists can cover the remaining 100 kilometres by road and reach the Penchalakona Waterfalls. 

By rail

Individuals who are planning on visiting Penchalakona Waterfalls by rail can first visit Nellore, the nearest railhead to the destination. The Nellore Railway Station is well-connected to major Indian cities, including Tirupati, Hyderabad and Chennai, and features frequent long-distance trains. Once at the railway station, the distance to the Penchalakona Waterfalls is about 81 kilometres, which can be covered by a rental car, cab or bus. 

By road

Penchalakona has a good road network that connects it to various towns and cities in Andhra Pradesh. Individuals can easily get to their destination via a rental car or taxi. Bus service is also available on the route, with major stops being Rapur Bus Station and Nellore Atmakur Bus Station. A direct bus from Nellore to Penchalakona is the most popular transport option that tourists go with. Once at Penchalakona village, individuals can cover a small trek route of about 2 kilometres to reach the waterfall.

Interesting Facts about Penchalakona Waterfalls

Here are some interesting facts about the popular Penchalakona Waterfalls that tourists should know about:

• There’s no such paved route to the Penchalakona Waterfalls. In order to reach it, individuals have to trek through an irregular, stone-filled path through the dense greenery. The journey to the waterfall from the Penchalakona Temple can take anywhere between 40 to 60 minutes.
• The flow of water doesn’t remain the same around the year. In order to get the best view of the waterfall with gushing water flow, individuals can visit during the rainy season. Do keep in mind that during this time, the path becomes quite slippery and challenging overall. Besides that, the period between September to December is considered the peak Penchalakona Waterfalls season for tourism. 
• The famous Kandaleru River is said to originate from the Penchalakona Waterfalls.
• Individuals can find a number of birds and other wild animals in the region surrounding the waterfall. The most common ones are monkeys, frogs, snakes, etc.
• The famous Penusila Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, at the beginning of the waterfall trek, has an image of the Lord which is represented as Swayambhu or the self-manifested one. 
• According to a local legend, the Kandaleru River got its name from Sage Kanva, who used to reside in the region, close to the river banks.

Why is Penchalakona Waterfalls recommended?

Nature lovers will love to visit the Penchalakona Falls in Andhra Pradesh. A thick blanket of dense greenery covers the whole region, and individuals can get some of the best scenic landscape views in the entire district during their journey to the falls. During the non-peak season, the place remains free from large crowds and acts as a serene getaway for individuals looking to spend some peaceful time away from the chaotic city lifestyle. 

Other than that, the Penchalakona Waterfalls is also a prime location for adventure lovers, specifically for trekking activities. Even though the route to the falls is not the hardest one, it sure is challenging. Tourists, especially youngsters, visit the site for the short trek experience with the ultimate goal of taking a quick soak in the cool plunge pool at the bottom of the waterfall. If the trek seems difficult for older adults, they can spend their time at the Penchalakona Temple. Hence, the site is recommended for both thrillseekers and religious-minded people. 

The Penchalakona Waterfalls is an offbeat location that tourists like to visit for a single-day trip. However, there are decent Penchalakona rooms available where tourists can choose to stay and turn their quick visit to the waterfall into a short vacation. The region’s natural beauty, tranquillity and spiritual significance make it a must-visit destination within the Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh.

Operating hours 

The operating hours for Andhra Pradesh’s Penchalakona Falls are from 7 AM to 7 PM. Make sure to visit during the daylight hours as covering 1.5-2 kilometres of the challenging route is not recommended and can be dangerous during the evening/nighttime. 

Chart for Penchalakona waterfalls