About Hundru Falls
Hundru Falls on the Subarnarekha River is Jharkhand's most famous waterfall and one of the most dramatic in central India — the river drops 98 metres over a wide arc of ancient Precambrian granite in a single, magnificent plunge. The surrounding Chota Nagpur plateau landscape has a unique character: rocky hillocks covered in sal forest, seasonal streams, and a rock art tradition stretching back 10,000 years combine to make Hundru's surroundings as interesting as the fall itself.
The Subarnarekha (meaning 'golden streak' in Sanskrit) has a distinctive reddish hue in places due to the iron-rich soils of the plateau, and in good light the waterfall takes on warm amber tones quite unlike the white cascade of Himalayan falls. The pool at the base is a popular bathing spot and the steps that descend to it pass through sal forest where langur monkeys and peafowl are commonly seen. Post-monsoon (September–January) is the best period, when the river carries its maximum volume after the rains.
September–November for maximum flow and good light; morning for soft light on the falls face.
The wide arc of the falls suits a horizontal panorama — stitch 2–3 frames from the viewing platform to capture the full width.