Lower Toiduchhori waterfall in Khagrachhari

It was a morning amid the rainy season and from the late night it was raining heavily. We were waiting for a group that we met yesterday at Resung Waterfall. They were also planning to visit this Tioduchhori waterfall. So we have decided to combine together for this expedition. Total four members, two from their group and two from ours.

Lot of people talked in blogs about hiring a guide from the TNO’s office in Dighinala. It was Friday, and do you believe that people would work at the TNO office on weekends? And who is going to travel on working days? So in my opinion, the suggestion of hiring from TNO’s office is useless on weekends. But still as our previous travelers hired guides from this place, we have hired a guy (proved worthless later) for 500 Taka (as of 2012). We did not find anyone interested as it was the rainy season. Also it was raining, so everyone was inside the house.

No matter from where you start, you have to reach the Chappa Para first. As it was raining continually, no one was interested in going in that direction. So we hired a CNG driven auto rickshaw for 300 Taka. But our bad luck, due to heavy rain, the village road was completely slippery and muddy. That small vehicle couldn’t move further and unfortunately abandoned us well before reaching the Chappa Para.

Lot of tourists visit this arena during the weekend. So people were aware of our destination. Everyone was discouraging us to return back. There is a river on our way which would be impossible to cross (according to their opinion). But we had only one thought, we wanted to see that river on our own before returning back. Later it proved to be a false warning. it was basically a 1-2 ft height of shallow river with mighty current.

After walking for about an hour, we reached the Toidu Para. Now it’s time to show the real experience of our guide. He doesn’t know the exact way to the waterfall. He came here during the winter, but now everything is covered with lush green jungle. Even this small stream is now converted into a mighty canal. 

Local people from that small Tripura village gathered around us. They were curious about our purpose. Villagers were suggesting we take two people from their village for our assistance. It was only 200 Taka for both persons (young Tripura late teenagers). One of the boy’s names was Polen, and the other one was MonoBikash. Both of the boys later proved their ability and hill experience which was amazing compared to their age. 

Now we are seven members where three of them are guides, including the initial one. From the Toidu Para, our initial half an hour was through that small water stream. It was really hard to go in the opposite direction of the water flow. It appeared like the whole hills just poured water on that small canal. After the trek through the stream, the next few hours were through the uphill and downhill trails. Due to rainy and watery paths, we couldn’t use our camera. But trust me, the hills are always picturesque.

Basically it was a total of 2 hours of trekking during the dry season. Due to rain, we were taking time. Also I was the slowest member from the team as always. I was causing most of the delays. The path is smooth but was not 2/3 years back. After the discovery of this Toiduchhori waterfall, the TNO provided a fund to make a trail to reach near the waterfall. Thanks to the TNO for that initiative.

After reaching the last hilltop, we could hear the roar of the Toiduchori waterfall. Only the top portion of the waterfall was visible from that far distance. After spending 5 minutes at that point, we have started moving further. It was a straight downhill through slippery path. Few of us slipped several times, and we were laughing. 

Last 15/20 minutes of the trekking was through the stream once again. This time it was through the stream of the waterfall itself. Lot of people described that large stones on the path looked like baby elephants. But trust me, we didn’t see anything. Not because we couldn’t find it, but because all those boulders were under water. Before reaching the waterfall, I slipped on the way several times. Got hurt on my knee, fingers and several other places.

I have seen a lot of pictures from several people on the internet regarding this waterfall. All of those were in a different shape from the one currently in front of me. Due to heavy rain, the shape of the waterfall just changed. It’s fatter and flowing fiercely. We have spent around 20/30 minutes beneath the waterfall. Few of us took a shower under the waterfall (though we had it several times from rain). 

From this waterfall, you could easily go to another one which is just 30 minutes of uphill task. I’ll write about that waterfall next time. Till then, please be happy with this one.

About the Toiduchhori waterfall

Toiduchhori waterfall (also known as Toiduchhora waterfall or simply Toidu) is situated near at Dhighinala of Khagrachhori district. A news came on the paper 2/3 years back. After that few tourists use to visit this waterfall during the weekends. As per the local guide they call it as Toidu, but a lot of people visit this place and they call this as Jhorna. So now the local people also call this Jhorna. In Tripura language the word Toidu means the “gate of water”. This waterfall is the second step of the two waterfalls. The first step/upper one is just 30 minutes of trekking. But you have to climb almost a perpendicular path beside the waterfall. Slightly risky, but adventurous. Please feel free to read the Upper toiduchhori waterfall from here.

How to go

To visit this Toiduchhori waterfall, please do not take any guide from the Dighinala. You don’t need this. At best you can take any local who will drop you near the Toidu Para, or at the Chappa Para village. From the Toidu para hire local people. Tribal people are arduous, fast responders and know the hills better than anyone else. It would be around 100/150 Taka per person (as of 2012). Just express your desire to those people, and they would do the rest by their own responsibility. It would be 6-7 hours of trekking for going and returning. This trail between the two waterfalls is extremely dangerous during the rainy season. If you want to avoid risk, do it in winter.