The first condition of understanding a foreign country is to smell it.
Rudyard Kipling
Hogenakkal Falls is a waterfall in South India on the river Kaveri. It is located in the Dharmapuri district of the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The water drops from an elevation of about 65 feet at its highest point and from 15 feet at its lowest point.
The falls is a quiet and beautiful waterfall and is a good picnic spot. It is coined as Niagra of India due to the high waterfall intensity. Its water is believed to have curative powers as the Kaveri (Cauvery) river flows through a forest of herbs on its journey to Hogenakkal.
The Carbonatite rocks found near the waterfall are one of the oldest in the world. This is also the site of a proposed project to generate drinking water.
MEANING OF THE HOGENAKKAL:
The word Hogenakkal is formed of two Kannada words hoge and kal. When the water falls on the rocks it appears as if hoge (smoke) is emanating from the top of the kal (rock) because of the force of the water, hence Hogenakkal (smoking rocks). It is also called as Marikottayam by the people of Tamil Nadu.
The Hogenakkal Falls is famous for its medicinal baths and boating in round bamboo boats with hides (coracles). However boating is allowed only during dry season when the waterfalls aren’t so strong. The coracles or circular basket boats are propelled by a single paddle making them unique. In local languages these boats are called Parisal, Teppa or Harigolu.
The area around the Hogenakkal Falls remains crowded during peak season and there are stalls on the way to the falls. Freshly caught fish, snacks, water are sold by various vendors. Some stalls cook fresh fishes for their customers.
One can try getting a massage from the famed Hogenakkal masseurs. The local malishkarans or the mystic masseurs are armed with oils, powders and esoteric knowledge about the different massage points in the human body. There are also a few women masseurs. The massage offered here is a nice experience for the visitors.
BEST TIME TO VISIT:
The best time to visit the Hogenakkal Falls is just after the monsoons, when it is in full torrent. However, some tourists choose to visit the place in off-season to avoid the crowd.
HOW TO REACH?
Hogenakkal is 140km from Bangalore and 44 kms from Dharmapuri town. From Dharmapuri you will get direct bus to Hogenakkal.
By Bus:
You can easily reach Dharmapuri from Bangalore in TNSTC buses.
By Rail:
You can also go in train till Dharmapuri.
Just now i compare Nigara falls (US) with Hogenakkal falls, yes what you said was correct. I went to shivasandram water falls. This week my plan was fixed to Bangalore to Chennai, in chennai we want visit Marina Beach, i hope i will have fun.
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