Geparnath Waterfall Kota: Gorge Temple, Steps and Safety

Geparnath waterfall (also written Gaiparnath or Gapernath) is the closest proper waterfall to Kota: a stream that drops into a deep, wooded gorge beside an old Shiva temple, about 22 km from the city on the Rawatbhata side. Rajasthan Tourism describes Gaipar Nath as a big chasm with an old Shiva temple set in a deep gorge, with sweeping views of the forests and cliffs of the Chambal valley and the sound of the waterfall near the temple. It is at its best in the monsoon, when the fall is full and the gorge turns green.

What you find at Geparnath

• The gorge. The temple sits far below the plateau, so you look down into the chasm before you start the descent.
• The steps. A long flight of steps leads down to the temple and the pool below the fall. The walk down is easy; the climb back up is steep and tiring, especially in humid monsoon weather.
• The Shiva temple. Geparnath Mahadev is an active shrine. Devotees describe water from the natural stream flowing over the Shiva linga, and the site draws crowds on Mahashivratri and on monsoon Mondays in Shravan.
• The waterfall. In the rains the stream falls over the rock face beside the temple into a pool; in the dry months it shrinks to a trickle or stops.

When to go

Season	What to expect
Late July to September	Fullest flow, green gorge, slippery steps, weekend crowds
October to November	Fall still running after a good monsoon, pleasant weather
December to March	Comfortable for the walk; little water
April to June	Very hot; fall usually dry

Our guide to the best time to visit Kota covers the seasons in more detail.

Safety

The gorge is beautiful and genuinely risky in the rains:

• Do not bathe in or wade across the pool when the water is flowing strongly; currents and hidden rocks are dangerous.
• Watch the water level. Heavy rain upstream can raise the stream fast. Move to the steps if the water turns muddy or starts rising.
• Hold the railings where they exist; the steps get slick with moss and mud.
• Leave well before dusk. The approach road passes through forest and is unlit.
• Follow local instructions. Access is sometimes restricted on high-water days.

Getting there

Detail	Information
Where	South-west of Kota, off the Rawatbhata road
Distance from Kota	About 22 km by road
Getting there	Own vehicle or taxi, then the walk down the steps
Time needed	Two to three hours including the climb
Facilities	Very basic; carry water and snacks

Distances are approximate. There is no regular public transport to the gorge.

Photography tips

The best views are from the top of the steps, looking down into the chasm with the temple below, and from the pool looking up at the fall. Morning light reaches the gorge floor better than late afternoon. Keep cameras and phones in a dry bag in the monsoon, use a wide lens for the gorge, and do not step onto wet rocks at the edge of the pool for a better angle. Ask before photographing worshippers at the shrine.

Combine Geparnath with nearby places

Geparnath is on the same side of the city as the Garadia Mahadev clifftop viewpoint over the Chambal gorge, and the two make an easy half day. Continue to Rawatbhata for the Baroli temples, the Rana Pratap Sagar dam and Chuliya Falls; see our Rawatbhata tourist places guide. For other monsoon falls such as Bhimlat and Menal, read waterfalls near Kota, and for river trips from the city see the Chambal river safari.