Photo: Sreyabanerjee, CC BY-SA 4.0
Waterfall
The Kanchi drops 44 metres in several streams off the Ranchi plateau.
Overview
Waterfall
Dassam Falls is a cascade on the Kanchi, a tributary of the Subarnarekha, near Taimara village in the Bundu subdivision of Ranchi district. The river drops about 44 metres (144 ft) in several streams at an edge of the Ranchi plateau, and the roar carries all around. It is a place to watch from the rocks and viewing decks; the clear pool below is dangerous.
The Kanchi pours over a sharp, vertical cliff onto the rocks below, splitting as it falls. The Ranchi district administration says ten separate streams can be seen. Geographers class Dassam as a scarp fall at a knickpoint: a sudden break in the river's bed, left where the river has cut down afresh (rejuvenation) at the edge of the plateau. Dense forest surrounds the falls.
The approach leaves the Ranchi-Tata highway on a link road through Adivasi villages and low, wooded hills to the gate. Two viewing decks look across the falls, reached by flights of steps from the parking area; Bengali travel writers have counted roughly 300 to 400 steps, so the climb back is a real one.
The water is clean and clear, which is exactly what tempts people in. The bottom of the pool is deep, uneven and slippery, with sharp rocks, and the current is strong. Nine people drowned here between 2001 and 2006 and deaths have continued since, so Dassam is best enjoyed from the rocks and the decks.
Past & present
History & stories
The name comes from Mundari, in which 'da' means water and 'song' means pouring or measuring, so 'da:song' is the act of pouring water, an apt description of the falls. People in the area still call it Da-song, and over time the name became Dassam. The place is also known as Dassam Garh.
The falls have long drawn crowds, and the dangers with them. In January 2014, after two deaths within about a week over the Christmas and New Year picnic season, the administration fenced the main pool with barbed wire, put a temporary wooden bridge across a crevice and posted 32 local divers, while the state tourism secretary declared the falls a danger zone.
When you're there
See & do
Two decks overlooking the falls give the classic view of the streams fanning over the cliff into the gorge. They are reached by flights of steps from the car park.
The rocks around the falls are a popular picnic spot. Visitor numbers climb from late December, with people coming from across Jharkhand, West Bengal and Bihar.
Outlook Traveller suggests the early post-monsoon weeks, when the multi-tiered cascades are full and mist rises from the water, as the best time for photographs.
About 20 km away near Bundu, a town on the road from the resort, a temple to the Sun God is built in the shape of a great chariot, with carved wheels and horses.
Gallery
Photos
Photos coming soon
We're putting together our own photographs of Dassam Falls. Been there with us? We'd love to see yours.
Getting there
From Rangamati
Dassam Falls is across the state line in Jharkhand, to the west of the resort — a full day out. We can arrange a cab and driver.
Before you go
Through the year
Seasons & festivals
July – September
July to September brings the most water and the most dramatic falls, but heavy rain can make the approach harder and the rocks slippery.
October – February
October and November still have a good flow and fewer people. The falls are busiest over the Christmas and New Year picnic weeks, and visitors keep coming until February.
Good to know
Questions
No. The water looks inviting, but the current is strong and the bottom is deep, uneven and slippery with sharp rocks. Swimming is prohibited, nine people drowned between 2001 and 2006, and there have been deaths since.
The falls are most dramatic in July to September, though heavy rain makes access harder. October and November keep a strong flow with fewer crowds.
The viewing decks are a few hundred steps below the car park (Bengali travel accounts count 300 to 400), and the climb back is tiring. It suits anyone comfortable with a long flight of steps; wear good walking shoes.
Facilities are limited, so carry water and snacks, as Outlook Traveller advised in 2024.
By road through Balarampur and Chandil, then along the Ranchi-Tata highway past Bundu to Taimara. The resort can arrange a sightseeing cab or driver on request.
Yes. The route passes Chandil, where the dam makes a good stop, and the Sun Temple near Bundu is about 20 km from the falls.
The name is traced to the Mundari 'da:song', the act of pouring water. A popular explanation links it instead to 'das', ten, for the ten streams the river is said to form.
Weekends and the Christmas to New Year picnic season. Outlook Traveller suggests going early in the morning or on a weekday.
Make a day of it
Close by
Other places close to this one, so you can see a few in a single trip.
From our travel journal
Places to see
Nature & outdoorsSources: en.wikipedia.org · hi.wikipedia.org · ranchi.nic.in · jharkhand.gov.in · tourism.jharkhand.gov.in · incredibleindia.gov.in · outlooktraveller.com · outlooktraveller.com · en.wikivoyage.org · sangbadpratidin.in · sangbadpratidin.in · dailypioneer.com · lagatar24.com · newsdrum.in · deccanherald.com · router.project-osrm.org
Rangamati is your base for day trips across Purulia and Jharkhand — tell us your dates and we'll plan the drive.
