Bijakasa
Bijakasa waterfall is one of the Beautiful hidden waterfall of Bastar, which is situated 46kms from Jagdalpur & on the opposite root and in east direction from Chitrakote Waterfall.
It comes under Bastar tehshil in the Bastar district.
Bastar is as usually beautiful & famous for its natural preserved wild forest, waterfalls & tribal community, however the Bijakasa puts cherry on the top of Bastar’s beauty.
It was hidden for a very long time due to its slight difficult trekking trails & also because its beauty blooms during the monsoon season.
What to expect
An enchanting and rewarding experience, a sense of adventure and serenity.
This Hidden waterfalls are usually tucked away from the beaten path, so expect less crowd.
The tranquility of the location can make it feel like a secret paradise.
The waterfalls are unspoiled & natural, present its lush vegetation, rocky cliffs, & the clear water hew.
The Challenging Path could be to Reach the hidden waterfall area that requires trekking through forested trails, climbing over rocks, navigating narrow paths through the paddy field water.
The adventure of finding & walking through the trails itself is exciting as the destination itself.
The trail may not always be well-marked if you are visiting the site during monsoon.
Expect a rugged, natural landscape with insects & small animals(monkeys) sightings along the way.
This Bijakasa waterfall promises an intimate encounter with nature, combining adventure, beauty, and serenity in one magical place.
Best time to visit:
I went to Bijakasa with bunch of my friends during early hours to unlock its beauty along with the rising sun rays .
It took us almost one hour to reach & extra 45mins to reach the actual site of Bijakasa waterfall after trekking the tranquil trails.
As I have visited the place in both monsoon & off season, I could surely tell you that its enchanting & mesmerizing beauty, off trail trekking could only be enjoyed during late monsoon between August to November.
As during the peak monsoon season it could be a little risky to trail on the off road, as you have to walk through the field paddy field filled with water, two rainy season waterfalls to reach the actual site of Bijakasa waterfall.
And its worth every inch of your trembling legs, calf pain & fear.
How to reach?
If you are visitor/ traveller/ tourist & planning to visit Jagdalpur, Bastar for the very first time during the end of monsoon, then start the day early.
Bijakasha almost take your half day to breathe & live-in properly.
From Jagdalpur to Bijakasa it would take 1 hour to cover the distance of 46kms and another 30mins-45mins to reach the actual site of the fall.
It is on the opposite root and in east direction from Chitrakote road, take a right turn from the STF Camp resort that is in the right side & that road would take you to Bijakasa & the road takes to kurushpal temple which 1-2kms takes almost 5mins to reach, on Narayanpal road from here take a left turn & travel another 10kms to reach Ratenga village.
Park the vehicle and walk the tranquil trails to reach the Bijakasa waterfall which you could easily guided by the local bodies.
location
Our experience
A nostalgic journey to the granny’s home, this is what I felt.
When I visited the Ratenga, Bijakasa, a small village in the east direction to Chitrakote waterfall I was amazed by the beauty of nature & the way of living of the villagers, surrounded by fields, near the river.
What I captured & encountered was the beauty of small villages, their huts made of mud, stones & clay, children playing & crawling near varandas(aangan).
Birds chirping, rustling leaves, flowing water, & the wind whistling through the trees;
The scent of freshly cooked chulha meal , flowers, earth, smoke from chimneys, & nearby farms that aroma resided in my core memory forever.
You can canvas a frame & engraved forever in your soul, like what we did.
The main source of their earning is through the farming.
The village Ratenga is peaceful and serene, lively and amble.
As we reached the Ratenga village locals guided us to the site of Bijakasa waterfall.
The trail towards the waterfall was the cheery on the top, the experience of untouched path, beneath was not soft; but with moss and fallen leaves, with roots and stones jutting out, making each step a mindful one for us.
As this waterfall bloom during the monsoon season, to reach there we had to cross one paddy field full of water( that rushed our adrenaline) as we walked through the field it was a different kind of excitement & the ground beneath the water was soft and muddy, which was quite challenging to walk.
The foot sinked into the mud with each step, required more effort to pull them out and move forward. The surface was uneven due to ridges and furrows that divide the paddy.
The water in the paddy field could be between shallow, ranging from a few centimeters to about ankle-deep according to the time you visit, but at our time it was above knee. The water obscured the ground & it was little difficult to step forward but we did anyhow with slow walking & carefull step.
Mixture of water and mud on foot was squishy, sticky sensation. It was physically taxing but with little resistance & energy we reached the solid surface.
The Walk in a paddy field, especially in the rural area, was peaceful and calming. The sound of water, the wind, and the surrounding greenery provided unique connection to nature.
It was slow, careful, but was the satisfying experience.
After that, along the root we crossed two small stream of falls, which rises to its beautiful peak during monsoon.
During the monsoon only, the small waterfalls often observed around paddy fields, particularly in areas with sloped landscapes, formed when rainwater overflows from one level of a terraced paddy field to the next, the scene was like the cascade of water.
You could capture picturesque moments over here though.
After taking trails to paddy fields & along the stream of paddy fields, trekking through natural & man made trails we reached the site after walking 1.5kms from the last parking site.
The innocence in the air, the 5g connection to nature & a little closer to our soul & a disconnection to all the gadgets & dark world, this is what we captured, gathered & carried back with us.
Things to do:
- If you are planning to visit Bijakasa & want to spent a whole day- plan a picnic trip, take food & water with you as there is no grocery stores. Its good to give your whole to rejuvenate your soul.
- Carry your trash bag with you, you are visiting someone’s home, maintain your manners & aestheticity.
- Click alot of photographers: Capture the stunning views of the falls, trekking trails & the enhancing scenery. Capture the beauty of the village, but always ask permission before photographing people or sacred sites.
- Respect the Environment: The Village often have unaltered environments. Avoid littering, and respect local wildlife and natural resources.
- Whether it’s farming, weaving, or pottery, try your hand at traditional village crafts or agriculture, if you get a chance.
- Support Local : Purchase handmade crafts, if they are providing you some as a souvenirs; if you are generous enough try to give small tip to the person who take you to the site or show you the path.
- Take few snacks or tiny chocolates with you, you would encounter various small little faces, hands & limbs gazing at you strangely. Make that little one happy for a moment.
- Immersing yourself in the natural beauty of the waterfall and surrounding hill, enjoy the peaceful, yet vivifying experience.
Things not to do:
- Ignoring Safety Signs: Don’t go close to the rage fall. Always follow local safety signs and guidelines.
- Swimming Near the Falls: Avoid swimming close to the waterfall due to strong currents and the risk of falling into the ditch.
- Climbing on Slippery Rocks: Refrain from climbing on rocks near the waterfall, as they can be extremely slippery and dangerous.
- Littering: Do not litter the area. Help preserve the natural beauty by disposing of trash properly. ( whenever & wherever you go please must carry your trash bag incase if you won’t find there any)
- Do not deface or damage natural formations, plants, or any infrastructure.
- Avoid making excessive noise, be nice to others as it can disturb the peace of the area and other visitors.
- Stay away from restricted or marked off areas to ensure your safety .
- Do not fire play lights, as it can be dangerous and potentially cause forest fires.
- Avoid feeding any animals you encounter to prevent disrupting their natural behavior and diet.
- Avoid alcohol consumption at site or any other toxic items consumption which could potentially have the chance to block your rational thoughts. (As it is a place with hills, mountains, waterfall, uneven trails; your irrational gate might take you to the ditch ).
If you really wanna enjoy & breathe the fresh air then be here at Ratenga Bijakasa;
The true essence, the real India resides in the villages.
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