Chuliya Falls on the Chambal: When to Go and Stay Safe

Chuliya Falls (also spelled Chulia) is one of the most dramatic natural sights within reach of Kota: a place where the Chambal River pours over rock ledges in its gorge near Rawatbhata. The falls are at their thunderous best in and just after the monsoon, when the swollen river roars through the rocks in clouds of spray. The surroundings, near the old fort of Bhainsrorgarh, are scenic and relatively wild.

Where the falls are and why the flow varies

The falls lie in the Chambal gorge just below the Rana Pratap Sagar Dam at Rawatbhata. The dam was built at the lower end of the river’s run across the Kundal plateau, about 1.6 km upstream of Chulia Falls. That location matters for visitors: the river here is controlled by the dam. In the dry months most of the water is held back or passed through the power station, and the falls can shrink to a few channels in a rocky bed. When heavy monsoon rain fills the reservoirs and the spillway gates are opened, the whole width of the gorge can come alive.

This also means conditions can change quickly and without warning. Water released from the dam can raise the river within minutes, so do not walk out onto the rocks of the riverbed, swim, or stand near the edge during the monsoon.

The setting

The Chambal here runs through the same deep gorge that made it ideal for the dams of the Chambal Valley Project. A few kilometres away, Bhainsrorgarh stands on a cliff where the Chambal and the Bamani rivers meet, and the 10th-century Baroli temples are a short drive towards Kota. Much of the land around the dam and the nearby nuclear power station is restricted, so stick to public roads and viewpoints and follow signs and security instructions.

What to see at Chuliya Falls

• The Chambal pouring through its rocky gorge below Rana Pratap Sagar
• Monsoon releases from the dam, when the falls are at their fullest
• Wild gorge scenery and birds along the river
• Easy combination with Baroli and Bhainsrorgarh

Visiting Chuliya Falls: practical details

Detail	Information
Where	Chambal gorge below Rana Pratap Sagar Dam, Rawatbhata, Chittorgarh district
Distance from Kota	About 60 km (via Rawatbhata)
Best time to visit	July to October for full flow; winter for pleasant weather
Timings	Best visited in daylight hours
Entry	Free or nominal
Getting there	Drive to Rawatbhata (about 59 km from Kota by road); the falls are in the gorge just below the Rana Pratap Sagar Dam. A taxi or own vehicle is needed.

Distances are approximate road distances. Timings and entry charges change from season to season, so confirm them locally or with the district tourist office before you set out.

Combine Chuliya Falls with nearby places

• Bhainsrorgarh Fort: A dramatically sited fort on a narrow cliff above the Chambal River, now a heritage hotel, offering stunning river views.
• National Chambal Sanctuary: A protected stretch of the clean, clear Chambal River, home to gharials, muggers, river dolphins, turtles and abundant birdlife.
• Chambal River: The mighty Chambal, one of India’s cleanest rivers, flows through Kota and shapes the city’s gardens, riverfront, wildlife and daily life.
• Rana Pratap Sagar Dam: A large gravity dam on the Chambal River near Rawatbhata, forming a scenic reservoir and part of the Chambal Valley project.

Chuliya is one of several monsoon falls around the city; compare them in waterfalls near Kota, and plan the rest of the day with our Rawatbhata tourist places guide.