Ethipothala Falls is a natural waterfall located in Andhra Pradesh. This waterfall is situated on the Chnadravanka River, a small tributary of Krishna River.
Ethipothala Falls is 70 feet and attracts the tourists of national and international level not only as a nature tourism site, but also the place of leisure tourism.
This 21 meter high river cascade is situated on the Chandravanka River, a rain fed river. This river is a tributary of the Krishna River, which acts as a life line of South India. The waterfall is a combination of three streams namely Chandravanka Vagu, Nakkala Vagu and Tummala Vagu.
Ethipothala Falls is situated about 11 kilometres from Nagarjuna Sagar Dam. Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is the world"s largest dam. It was built on the Krishna River at Nagarjuna Sagar in the border of Nalgonda District and Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh.
Chandravanka River then joins the Krishna River after the dam travelling about 3 kilometres from Ethipothala Falls. A strategic view point was created by Telangana Tourism Department from the adjacent hillock. There are Ranganatha and Dattatreya temples in the vicinity. There is a crocodile breeding centre in the lagoon formed by the Ethipothala Falls.
The name Ethipothala Falls is derived from the legend that is Yathis and Rishis did the penance here. So the place got the name Etitaposthal, which means the place where Yathis did penance. In Sanaskrit language Iti means the Tapas. Here it refers to a personal endeavour of discipline, undertaken to achieve a goal Sthal which means the place.
The word Ethipothala in Telugu Language means lift and pour. So people assume that Ethipothala Falls are part of Lift Irrigation Scheme, a project undertaken by The Government of Telangana. This is also known as Ethipothala Padhakam.
Near Ethipothala Falls, there is a major Irrigation Project which is known as Nagarjuna Sagar Dam. This Nagarjuna Sagar Dam provide electricity and irrigation waters. This gives a scope for people to assume that Ethipothala Falls are part of that project of Nagarjuna Sagar Dam.
Ethipothala Waterfall is also a most interesting place for mild trekking and camping. This waterfall offers the refreshing nature sightseeing. People believe that the caves near the waterfalls go to Srisailam. Ethipothala Falls is bounded on the North by Medak District and Warangal district, on the South by Guntur District and partly by Mahbubnagar district on the East by Khammam District and Krishna district, on the West by Ranga Reddy District and Mahabubnagar district. Near Ethipothala Waterfall, there are some tourist attractions to visit along the regions like Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, Nagarjuna Konda, Anupu, Srisailam, Ranganadha, Sagara Mata and Dattatreya Temples.
