Rajdari and Devdari Falls are twin seasonal waterfalls inside the Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary, in Chandauli district, eastern Uttar Pradesh, on the forested Kaimur plateau about 65–70 km south of Varanasi. They run strongest in and just after the monsoon, draw day-trippers and short-trekkers, and sit within a protected forest, so timing and a few safety habits matter more here than fees.
Rajdari and Devdari Falls are two waterfalls on the Chandraprabha river system inside Chandauli’s Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh. They are a monsoon-season spot, best visited roughly July to October as a day trip from Varanasi, and reached by road via the town of Chakia.
Key takeaways
- Rajdari and Devdari Falls are twin waterfalls inside the Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandauli district, Uttar Pradesh — not in Varanasi city, though Varanasi is the usual base.
- They are a monsoon attraction: the UP Eco Board describes the sanctuary’s falls as being “in full force” during the rains, so roughly July to October gives the fullest flow.
- Nearest large railhead is Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction (formerly Mughalsarai), about 50 km away, per the UP Eco-Tourism Board; Varanasi airport is the usual air gateway.
- This is a day-trip spot — official tourism pages note there is no lodging at the falls themselves; forest rest houses lie about 18–22 km away near Chakia and Naugarh.
- No entry fee or permit is published on the official tourism pages checked (as of November 2026); the falls sit inside a wildlife sanctuary, so reconfirm access with the Kashi Wildlife Division or the Chandauli forest office before you go.
- The UP Forest Department warned visitors in September 2025 against picnicking along sanctuary roads because wild animals can emerge from the bushes.
About Rajdari and Devdari Falls
Rajdari and Devdari Falls are two cascades inside the Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary in Chandauli district, Uttar Pradesh, where the Chandraprabha river drops across the Kaimur plateau. Chandauli was carved out of Varanasi district in 1997, which is why older travel writing often files these falls under “Varanasi” — they are now firmly in Chandauli, roughly 65–70 km from the city.
The two falls are usually spoken of as a pair. Rajdari is the broader, stepped cascade; Devdari is the taller plunge a short distance along the same stream. Per the UP Eco Board, a colony of vultures nests in cavities on the face and flanks of the Devdari fall. Do not confuse these with the Aurwatand waterfall, which is also in Chandauli but on the Karmanasa river, around 25 km away, per Outlook Traveller.
The sanctuary itself was notified in 1957. The UP Eco-Tourism Board lists a core area of 9,600 hectares (96 km²) earmarked that year, with a buffer of 66,000 hectares under the Kashi Forest Division; Wikipedia and several references give the sanctuary’s area as about 78 km². It lies on the Naugarh and Vijaigarh hillocks on the northern edge of the Kaimur Range, within the Kashi Wildlife Division of the UP Forest Department.
There is a well-known back-story here. According to the UP Eco-Tourism Board, Asiatic lions were brought from the Gir forest of Gujarat in 1957 (one male and two females) in an attempt to establish a second population; Wikipedia dates the introduction to 1958 and says the count rose to about eleven by 1969 before the animals were found missing in 1970. The lion experiment failed, but the forest today shelters leopard, sloth bear, chinkara, cheetal (spotted deer), hyena, jackal and a long bird and reptile list.
| Place | Rajdari and Devdari Falls |
|---|---|
| Inside | Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary (Kashi Wildlife Division) |
| District / state | Chandauli, Uttar Pradesh |
| Nearest town | Chakia (gateway); Naugarh nearby |
| Base city | Varanasi, about 65–70 km |
| Best season | Monsoon and just after (roughly July–October) |
| Typical visit | Day trip (no lodging at the falls) |
| Fall height | Not published by official sources — treat any figure with caution |
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Rajdari and Devdari Falls is the monsoon and the weeks right after it, roughly July to October, when the flow is at its fullest. The UP Eco Board describes the sanctuary’s waterfalls as being “in full force” during the rains; outside the wet months the cascades thin out and can shrink to a trickle by late winter.
There is a trade-off. Peak monsoon brings the most dramatic water but also slick rock, strong current and leech-prone trails; the shoulder weeks of September and October usually balance good flow with safer footing and clearer skies. Summer (April–June) on the Kaimur plateau is hot and the falls are weak, so most visitors skip it.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Monsoon | July–September | Fullest flow and greenest forest; slippery rock, strong current, possible road wash-outs |
| Post-monsoon | October–November | Good flow with safer footing and pleasant air; a popular window for picnics and short treks |
| Winter | December–February | Cool and clear but reduced flow; falls increasingly thin |
| Summer | March–June | Hot; weak or dry cascades — generally not worth a special trip |
How to reach
Rajdari and Devdari Falls are reached by road through Chakia in Chandauli district, most commonly as a drive from Varanasi, about 65–70 km away. There is no direct rail or air link to the falls themselves; you travel to a Varanasi-area hub and continue by road to Chakia, then on toward the sanctuary.
By air: The usual gateway is Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi (Babatpur). Official sources differ on the distance — the UP Eco-Tourism Board lists about 65 km, while the Chandauli district tourism page gives about 95 km, so plan on roughly a two-to-three-hour transfer and hire a taxi.
By rail: The nearest large railhead, per the UP Eco-Tourism Board, is Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction (renamed from Mughalsarai in 2018), about 50 km away; Varanasi Junction is about 67 km. From the railhead, take a taxi, or use shared jeeps via Chakia as local pages describe.
By road: Chandauli is well connected by state highways and NH-2/NH-19 corridors to Varanasi, Lucknow and beyond. A common local route is a shared jeep from the DDU/Mughalsarai side to Chakia, then another jeep toward Rajdari/Devdari. A private taxi from Varanasi for the day is the simplest option for most visitors. If you are building a wider trip, see our Varanasi travel guide and the broader Uttar Pradesh travel guide.
| From | Distance | How |
|---|---|---|
| Varanasi city | ~65–70 km | Taxi / self-drive, ~2 hours |
| Varanasi airport (Babatpur) | ~65–95 km (sources differ) | Pre-booked taxi |
| Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Jn (ex-Mughalsarai) | ~50 km | Taxi or shared jeep via Chakia |
| Varanasi Junction | ~67 km | Taxi |
| Chakia town | Gateway; falls a short drive beyond | Shared jeep / taxi |
What to see and do
The main draw at Rajdari and Devdari Falls is watching two different cascades of the same stream within a short walk, set in protected forest. Plan a half-day: time at each fall, a short forest walk, and a packed picnic, since facilities on site are minimal.
- Rajdari fall — the wider, stepped cascade; the easier of the two to approach and the usual picnic point.
- Devdari fall — the taller plunge a short distance along the stream. Visitor accounts describe viewing it mainly from the top of the gorge rather than its base; keep well back from wet edges.
- The sanctuary forest — on the drive and short walks you may spot deer and birds; the UP Eco Board lists peacock, red jungle fowl, parakeet and others, with leopard and sloth bear present but rarely seen.
- Photography — the clear water over rock in good monsoon light is the signature shot; carry a dry bag for gear.
| Spot | Character | Time needed | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rajdari | Broad, stepped cascade | 45–90 min | Main picnic area; approachable |
| Devdari | Taller single plunge | 30–60 min | View from above; vulture colony on the rock face (UP Eco Board) |
A suggested day plan
A single full day from Varanasi is enough to see both falls comfortably in the monsoon season.
- Early morning: Leave Varanasi by 7 am to beat traffic and heat; drive toward Chakia (about two hours).
- Late morning: Reach the sanctuary area; start at Rajdari for the picnic spot and the easier cascade.
- Midday: Walk across to Devdari; view from the top, then a packed lunch.
- Afternoon: Short forest walk or birdwatching, then begin the drive back by about 3–4 pm so you are out of the forest well before dusk.
- Evening: Return to Varanasi for the Ganga aarti if your energy holds.
Where to stay
There is no lodging at the falls themselves — the Chandauli tourism pages note visitors come for a day trip, with no accommodation on site. For a night close by, your realistic choices are state forest rest houses near the sanctuary or hotels back in Varanasi.
- Forest rest houses (government): The UP Eco Board lists Rajdari Forest Rest House inside the sanctuary, plus Dilkusha and Lateef Shah rest houses and Chandrakanta Rest House at Naugarh, each about 18 km away, and Bhesoda Rest House about 22 km. These are booked through the UP Eco-Tourism Board, not on arrival — enquire well ahead.
- Varanasi hotels (most practical): The widest choice of budget, mid-range and premium stays is in Varanasi, where most visitors base themselves for the day trip.
Indicative Varanasi hotel bands (planning estimate — reconfirm): budget guesthouses roughly ₹800–₹1,800, mid-range hotels roughly ₹2,500–₹5,000, and premium/heritage stays ₹6,000 and up per night. See our Varanasi travel guide for neighbourhoods and booking notes.
Food to try
There is no full restaurant at the falls; the Chandauli tourism page notes only roadside eateries nearby serving snacks and drinks, so carry your own water and a packed meal. For a proper meal, plan it around Varanasi or Chakia town.
- Kachori-sabzi (fried puffed bread with a spiced potato curry) — a standard Purvanchal breakfast at roadside stalls.
- Chaat and tamatar chaat (savoury snacks; the tomato version is a Banaras speciality) — best back in Varanasi.
- Banarasi paan (betel leaf preparation) and thandai (a cold spiced milk drink) — classic Varanasi finishers.
- Litti-chokha (roasted wheat balls with a mash of roasted vegetables) — common across eastern UP and neighbouring Bihar.
Budget breakdown
A day trip to Rajdari and Devdari Falls is inexpensive because the big cost is simply the road transfer from Varanasi. The table below is a planning estimate for two people on a day trip from Varanasi, as of November 2026 — reconfirm all figures locally.
| Item | Estimate (₹) | Assumptions |
|---|---|---|
| Return taxi (full day) | ₹2,500–₹4,000 | Varanasi–Chandauli round trip, AC car, driver |
| Food and water | ₹400–₹800 | Packed meal plus snacks for two |
| Entry / parking | Reconfirm | No official fee published for the falls (as of Nov 2026) |
| Misc / tips | ₹200–₹400 | Buffer |
| Total (day trip) | ~₹3,100–₹5,200 | Excludes Varanasi lodging |
Permits and rules for Rajdari and Devdari Falls
No entry fee or special permit for Rajdari and Devdari Falls is published on the official UP tourism or Chandauli district pages checked for this guide (as of November 2026). Because the falls sit inside the Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary, however, forest rules apply, and access or timings can change, so confirm with the Kashi Wildlife Division or the Chandauli forest office before travelling.
- Do not feed or chase wildlife; the UP Forest Department warned in September 2025 against picnicking along sanctuary roads because animals can emerge suddenly from the bushes.
- Carry out all litter; single-use plastic is discouraged in protected forests.
- Drone use over wildlife areas typically needs prior permission — ask the forest office rather than assume.
- Forest rest houses are booked in advance through the UP Eco-Tourism Board, not on the spot.
Practical tips and safety
Treat Rajdari and Devdari Falls as a forest and water destination, not a city park: plan for patchy mobile signal, no ATMs at the site, and genuine water hazards in the monsoon. The single most useful habit is to stay back from wet, slippery rock edges and not to wade into fast-moving water.
- Water safety: Monsoon cascades mean strong current and slick rock. Keep children within reach, avoid climbing above the falls, and don’t enter pools when the flow is high.
- Wildlife caution: You are inside a sanctuary with leopard and sloth bear on the list. Stay with your group, keep to tracks, and leave before dusk.
- Connectivity and cash: Expect weak network inside the forest. Carry cash; UPI and card acceptance is unreliable at roadside stalls, and there are no ATMs at the falls.
- Medical: Nearest hospitals and pharmacies are in Chakia town and, for anything serious, Varanasi. Carry a basic first-aid kit and any personal medicines.
- Solo and women travellers: Go in daylight, ideally with a group or a known driver, and aim to exit the forest well before evening; the area is quiet and lightly staffed.
- What to pack: In monsoon — grippy waterproof shoes, a rain shell, a dry bag, mosquito/leech repellent and drinking water. Any season — sun protection, cash and a power bank.
Nearby places
Rajdari and Devdari Falls pair naturally with Varanasi and a couple of other Chandauli sights. The table lists the main options with approximate distances; confirm road conditions in the monsoon, when forest tracks can wash out.
| Place | Approx. distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Varanasi | ~65–70 km | Ghats, temples and the Ganga aarti; the usual base — see our Varanasi guide |
| Aurwatand waterfall | ~25 km from the falls (per Outlook Traveller) | Another Chandauli cascade, on the Karmanasa river, with rock-shelter paintings reported nearby |
| Chakia town | Gateway to the falls | Food, fuel and the nearest basic services |
| Lucknow | State capital (long drive) | UP’s heritage capital and the UP Eco-Tourism Board office — see our Lucknow guide |
Frequently asked questions
Where are Rajdari and Devdari Falls?
Rajdari and Devdari Falls are inside the Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary in Chandauli district, eastern Uttar Pradesh, about 65–70 km from Varanasi. They sit on the Chandraprabha river system on the Kaimur plateau and are usually reached by road through the town of Chakia as a day trip.
What is the best time to visit Rajdari and Devdari Falls?
The best time is the monsoon and just after, roughly July to October, when flow is fullest; the UP Eco Board calls the sanctuary’s falls “in full force” during the rains. September–October balances good water with safer footing. In winter the cascades thin, and in summer they can nearly dry up.
How do I reach Rajdari and Devdari Falls from Varanasi?
Drive about 65–70 km (around two hours) from Varanasi toward Chakia in Chandauli district, then on to the sanctuary. The nearest large railhead is Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction (ex-Mughalsarai), about 50 km away; a day-hire taxi from Varanasi is the simplest option, as there is no direct public transport to the falls.
Is there an entry fee or permit for the falls?
No entry fee or permit for the falls is published on the official UP tourism or Chandauli district pages checked (as of November 2026). Because the falls lie inside a wildlife sanctuary, forest rules apply and access can change, so reconfirm with the Kashi Wildlife Division or the Chandauli forest office before you travel.
Can you stay overnight at Rajdari and Devdari Falls?
No — official tourism pages describe this as a day trip with no accommodation at the falls. The nearest beds are government forest rest houses about 18–22 km away near Chakia and Naugarh (booked ahead through the UP Eco-Tourism Board), or the wide choice of hotels back in Varanasi.
Are Rajdari and Devdari Falls safe to visit?
They are generally safe in daylight with normal caution, but treat them as a monsoon water and forest site. Stay back from slick rock edges, avoid fast-flowing water, keep children close, and leave before dusk; in September 2025 the UP Forest Department warned visitors against picnicking along sanctuary roads because wild animals can appear suddenly.
Last updated and sources
Go for the water and the quiet forest, not for facilities — Rajdari and Devdari Falls reward a well-timed monsoon or post-monsoon day trip from Varanasi, with an early start and a packed picnic. Anyone wanting lions or guaranteed big-game sightings should set expectations low; this is a scenic cascade-and-sanctuary outing.
Last updated: 2 November 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: UP Eco-Tourism Board — Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary; Uttar Pradesh Eco Board — Chandra Prabha Wildlife Sanctuary; Chandauli Tourism — Rajdari and Devdari; Chandauli District Administration (chandauli.nic.in); Wikipedia — Chandra Prabha Wildlife Sanctuary (for area, coordinates and lion history); Outlook Traveller — Aurwatand waterfall, Chandauli; and an Amar Ujala Chandauli news report (29 September 2025) on the Forest Department releasing a leopard into the sanctuary and its safety advisory. Accessed September 2026.
