Notes on the Geography of Northern India: Raneh Falls

Raneh Falls is one of many marking the edge of the Rewa Plateau, which lies to the southeast of the Bundelkhand Upland. Although the flow of the Ken River has been tamed by the Gangau Dam, the fall is still impressive as a reminder of how mighty the Ken once was.

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The falls are easily reached in an hour from Khajuraho; the road heads east from the north end of town.

Close to the falls, there's still no hint of what lies ahead.

Then the forest opens to reveal a huge expanse of rock scoured bare by historic monsoon floods.

Somewhere in this wilderness, the river has etched a canyon.

There it is.

The rock is hard enough to form sheer cliffs.

The falls themselves are almost hidden in the canyon.

A closer view.

The virgin flow of the river varied from 5 to 300,000 cubic feet of water per second--everything from a trickle to a flood that overtopped the canyon walls.

Close to the water level.

Swimming height.

Downstream, the river slows into a broader stream famous for Indian crocodiles.

Midday, none are to be seen.