Tiware Dhareshwar, Marleshwar

You can certainly consider yourself lucky to be a citizen of India. The country you live in is among the most diverse of all, when it comes to the natural splendors. There are the incredible peaks of the Himalayas in the north of the country. There are some amazing beaches along the western and eastern coasts, in Andaman and the Lakshadweep Islands. Then there are dense forests, extravagant palaces, forts perched on top of hills, and some truly wonderful temples. But this list won’t be complete if there is no mention of the waterfalls in India. We are lucky to be home to some of the most visually stunning waterfalls anywhere in Asia.

Take for instance the Tiware waterfalls in the state of Maharashtra that is often referred to also as Tivare. It is not among the most spoken about waterfalls in the country. But this does not mean that it is less beautiful than the more popular ones. One unique thing about Tiware Dhareshwar is that, it is not just a “winter only” waterfall. You can visit any time of the year. You will still find a lot of water roaring down. It’s quite a spectacle to see.

This waterfall is located within the Paj forest. It comes out from the inside of a cave. Nobody quite knows where it comes from, but we know that this is the source of the Shastri River. It has been estimated that its height is 200 feet. However, this estimation may be incorrect as we are yet to chart the waterfall within the cave system. You can try some cave trekking to do this. It can certainly be a unique experience.

How to reach: The best way to reach the Tiware Dhareshwar is by coming to Ratnagiri first. Ratnagiri is connected to Mumbai, Pune and Goa by both bus and train. You have to go to Sangameshwar from here. You can take a bus or an auto rickshaw. The waterfall is just 15 kilometers away from Sangameshwar.

There are no good resorts in Tiware Dhareshwar and very few home stays in Tiware Dhareshwar. Ratnagiri however offers a range of accommodation options.