Thousands thronged popular waterfall destinations over the weekend, one the biggest tourist attractions in this monsoon.

Jog Falls, Shimoga, recorded the highest number of tourists for the year on Saturday and the Festival of Falls organised at Bhara Chukki, Chamarajanagar, drew in thousands of visitors as well.

Roads leading to Jog Falls was jammed with thousands of vehicles stalling traffic for hours. On Saturday, we got the highest number of tourists this year- 25,000 and on Sunday we expect 30,000 to 35,000 tourists to visit Jog said Department Information Assistant, Jog Management Authority, Krishnappa. There will be heavy crowds till Independence Day after which visitors will decline he said. July-August draws the highest number of visitors to Jog Falls.

50,000 visitors
The Festival of Falls organised by the Department of Kannada and Culture, Department of Tourism and the Mandya District Administration at the Bhara Chukki Falls near Shivasamudra too drew 50,000 visitors on Saturday. Another 70,000 are expected to visit on Sunday when a grand fireworks over the falls and an orchestra is planned in the evening . A sum of Rs 2.5 crore would spent by the government for development of the Bhara Chukki area.

The falls were named Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara said Kannada and Culture Minister, Mahadev Prasad who was at the location. Apart from a cultural show in the evening, the falls have been illuminated.

In Madikeri, Abbi falls is the major attraction. While in May, about 7,000 people witnessed the grandeur of Abbi falls, which is located in a private estate near Madikeri, Irpu falls, 8 kms from Nagarahole is also drawing tourists.
Tourism Secretary I M Vittalamurthy said the KSTDC buses have been plying full and are booked for the next two weeks to places like Jog, Shivasamudra and Madikeri. Additional buses will ply from next weekend. The rush is expected to continue for one more week, he added.

ESTIMATES OF TOURISTS
*Gokak Falls, Ghataprabha River, Belgaum-2,500 
    visitors
*Magod, Bedthi River, near Karwar-1,500 visitors
*Sathoddi, streams converge, Uttara Kannada              
    District-1,000 visitors
* Kalhatti Falls, Chikmagalur-1000 visitors
*Jog Falls, Sharavathi River, Shimoga -over 50,000
    visitors
*Bhara Chukki, Cauvery River, Chamarajnagar -
    70,000 visitors