Hogenakkal – The Niagara of India
Hogenakkal is a small village in the western part of the Dharmapuri district in the state of Tamil Nadu. Hogenakkal is more known for the presence of the Hogenakkal falls, sometimes referred to as the ‘Niagara of India’.
The Cauvery River flows through Hogenakkal making its long journey from Talakaveri in the Brahmagiri Hills in Kodagu district of Karnataka. The river plunges from a height of about 20 m in Hogenakkal to form a lot of gorgeous waterfalls.
The name Hogenakkal is derived from two Kannada words, Hoga which means smoke and Kal which means rock. When the water from the river with its enormous force falls onto the rocks, it appears as if smoke is emanating from the rocks. Hence this place is named Hogenakkal, which means smoking rocks. The carbonite rocks in this area are supposed to be the oldest of its kind.
People come to the Hogenakkal waterfalls to enjoy the basket boat rides also known as coracle rides. Boating in Hogenakkal is only allowed during the dry season when the water falls are not strong. The coracles can take a load of up to eight persons at a time and are made of bamboo. The bottom of the boat is made waterproof by the use of hides. The coracles are called Parisal in Tamil and Teppa or Harigolu in Kannada.
The Cauvery River further flows to the Mettur dam and forms a lake called the Stanley reservoir.
The villages in Hogenakkal are dotted with the guardian deities known as the Aiyanaars. These are giant figures made of terracotta in bright colors.
The best season to visit Hogenakkal is soon after the monsoon. Summers can be hot but winter is always pleasant. Many tourists prefer the off-seasons in order to avoid the crowd. Boating is safe during the month of February.
The water here is supposed to have curative powers, since it flows through the forests filled with rare herbs and medicinal plants. Set amidst the thick and green woods, Hogenakkal is considered both a sacred bathing place and a spa. The place is surrounded by hills and offers a panoramic view.
Fishing in the river is yet another attraction in Hogenakkal. Wide variety of fishes caught from here can be cooked on the beach itself. Freshly caught fish are sold by the gorge and you can choose from the various vendors selling fried fish, water and snacks on the banks.
One can reach Hogenakkal only via road. It is easier to reach Hogenakkal from Bangalore than from Chennai. In Hogenakkal, TTDC operated hotels are the easily available and are the best ones to stay. Good hotels can be found in the nearby town, Dharmapuri also.
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