The Shivanasamudra falls, literally meaning Shiva's Sea is situated at a distance of 85 km from Mysore and 139 km from Bangalore. The island town of Shivanasamudra divides the river Cauvery into two different falls which display a captivating sight. On one side, it forms the Gaganachukki falls shaped like a large horsetail, and on the other side are the Bharachukki Falls. The Gaganachukki falls are the larger of the two and are more popular among visitors. The falls are at their best during the monsoon season, which is from June to September. The World Waterfall Database ranked Shivanasamudra falls as world’s top 45 waterfalls among the world’s 100 waterfalls.

The Gaganachukki waterfalls are best viewed from the Shivanasamudra watch tower. There is another approach to the Gaganachukki falls from the Darga Hazrath Mardane Gaib. Bharachukki falls are situated at a distance of approximately one km from the Dargah junction. These falls are best during the monsoons, nevertheless, their beauty mesmerizes tourists throughout the year.

The Ranganatha Temple on Shivanasamudra Island is a huge structure of the Hoysala period. The place is also called Madhya Ranga. The deity is called Jagan Mohan Ranganatha, about 8 ft. in a reclining posture. There are images of Goddess Cauvery, Takshaka serpent, Ramanujacharya, Alwars, and a huge stone image of Sugriva in the temple.

Shivanasamudra is home to the first Hydro-electric Power station in Asia, which was set up in the year 1902. This station was commissioned by the Diwan of Mysore, Sir K. Seshadri Iyer. This is one of the oldest generating stations in India, the electricity produced here was initially used in the Kolar Gold Fields. Thus, Kolar Gold Fields became the first town in Asia to get hydroelectricity.