Kapildhara waterfall is located in the Amarkantak district of the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It lies at a distance of 6 kilometers from the Narmada Kund. The holy waters of the River Narmada plunge from a height of about 100 feet, from the ground level. This cascade gets its name from the famous sage Kapil, who had resided at this place and performed severe religious austerities. Kapil muni is said to have received the divine light at this very place, according to the ancient scriptures. He had also written ‘Sankhya Philosophy’ an advance treatise on mathematics in the Kapil ashram. Kapildhara is set amidst majestic mountains, dense forests and low lying hills.
The mountains surrounding the Kapildhara waterfall have several caves within them, where many saints have meditated and attained salvation, during the ancient times. The Kapildhara falls are created by the River Narmada, which originates at the Narmada Kund. Two other rivers Kapila and Erandi, join the Narmada River to form the Kapildhara falls. Though the falls can be visited all year round, the best time however remains the months of September to January, the post monsoon period. En route to the falls, one can come across the Achanakumar Tiger Reserve. The waterfall is prominently set amidst the forests, known as Kapilvan. According to Hindu mythology, sage Kapil had tried to stop the reverse flow of the Narmada River from this point.
Kapildhara is the first waterfall from the Narmada Kund, on the banks of River Narmada. Though the waters jut down with a tremendous force, the depth of the pool underneath is only 20 to 25 feet. It has become difficult to reach the waters, as the steps that led to them have been washed away by the floods. One needs to beware of the monkeys and langurs that frequent the falls! The people, who visit Kapildhara falls, usually collect the stones from the holy river waters, which are worshipped as shivlings, called Narmadeshwar. The pilgrims also worship the footprints of Lord Kapileshwar Shiva and the sage Kapil, at the Kapil Ashram.
