Ethipothala Falls, a picturesque waterfall located in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, India, has been a popular tourist spot for many years. The falls are approximately 70 feet high and are a cascade of the Chandravanka River, which is a tributary of the Krishna River. The name 'Ethipothala' is derived from the Sanskrit words 'etthi' meaning lift and 'pothala' meaning pour.
The history of tourism at Ethipothala Falls can be traced back to the time when the local communities would visit the falls for picnics and to worship at the nearby Ranganatha and Dattatreya temples. It wasn't until the late 20th century, however, that Ethipothala Falls began to gain popularity as a tourist destination, thanks to improved accessibility and the development of tourism infrastructure by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC).
In the early 1980s, the APTDC developed a viewpoint, established a resort for accommodation, and created a park with a crocodile breeding center near the waterfall, which significantly boosted the influx of tourists. Over the years, Ethipothala Falls has become an eminent part of the tourism circuit in Andhra Pradesh, especially for those visiting the nearby city of Amaravati and Nagarjuna Sagar Dam.
With the evolution of travel preferences, Ethipothala Falls has kept up with changing trends in tourism:
Furthermore, local festivals and cultural events are becoming an integral part of the tourism experience, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the local culture and traditions of the region.
The best time to visit Ethipothala Falls is during the monsoon season when the water levels are high, and the falls are most spectacular. Tourists are advised to check local weather conditions and accessibility given that the falls are located in a natural setting that can be affected by seasonal changes.
The APTDC resort nearby provides accommodation options for visitors, but it is advisable to book in advance, especially during peak seasons. Moreover, given the focus on sustainability, visitors are encouraged to follow Leave No Trace principles to ensure that the environment around Ethipothala Falls is preserved for future generations.
