About an hour and a half from Vadodara are the 100 meters tall Hathni Mata Waterfalls. It is a beautiful place, close to Nature. The falls are surrounded by rich flora & fauna and green hills. The gurgle of the stream and the sound of the water falling on rocks below is music to tired city-ears. Refresh, rejuvenate and rejoice in the natural beauty around you. The falls can be found in the Jambugodha Wildlife Sanctuary.
This is a one day trip and you should take a picnic with you as there aren't any nearby eateries or any commercial establishments here. The best time to visit is July and August during the monsoons. The falls is at its best during this time.
The name Hathni is taken from a local tribal name which named it after a rock at the bottom of the falls that looks like a baby elephant. If you go during the festival season the falls area is a busy place, with local fairs and festivals. There is a temple under the falls inside a cave and an ancient Jhand Hanuman temple nearby. The Pandavas were supposed to have stayed here for some time. The idol is in a horizontal position here. The forest around it is dense and lush. Leopards, nilgai, wild boar, sloth bears, jackals, hyenas, and sloth bears can be seen in the teak, mahuda and bamboo forest.
It's an ideal place for trekking, cycling or just walking. If you are a motorcycle enthusiast you may rent a bike in Vadodara, Halol or in Pavagadh. This writer recommends that you take a bike or car and not rely on local transport because it is famously unreliable. There is a bus stop in Shivarajpur, the nearest small town, but like we said, don't rely on the buses.
Important: Please clean-up after yourself when you leave by removing all rubbish, paper, bottles and other refuse when you leave so that other people can also enjoy the natural beauty of the falls.
How to Get There:
Nearest Bus stop: Shivarajpur
Nearest Railway Station: Vadodara
Once you reach Vadodara take a car or bike to Pavagadh and then to Shivrajpur. Walking to the falls from Shivarajpur bus stop, the nearest small village, is 15 km. You can also come in from archeological site Champaner, reach Jumbugodha Wildlife Sanctuary and Jumbugodha eco-campsite in the center of the sanctuary. There are rickshaws which can take you from there to the Jhand Hanuman Temple. You can walk 10 km from there to the falls.
Where to Stay:
It's best to stay in Vadodara. You can find places to stay in Pavagadh but you won't have much choice in range and comfort levels. The Jumbugodha eco-campsite is also a pretty nice place for the adventurous. There is a forest guest house also for the non-campers. There are a number of resorts around Jumbugodha.
When To Visit:
Best time is July to August during the monsoons. The falls is much smaller in the off-season.