Hogenakkal-Niagra of India

Hogenakkal, known as niagra of India is located about 150km from Electronic city,Bangalore.

Distance: 180 Km from Bangalore,45 Km from Dharmapuri.

‘Hoge’ meaning smoke and ‘Kal’ meaning rock. The drops falling from height on rocks create drops mist like and therefore it is known as Niagra Falls of India.
The falls are derived from Cauvery river , 65ft at highest and 15 feet at lowest.At Hogenakkal, the river creates numerous waterfalls that flow through the rocky terrain. The water from the fall flows towards the Mettur Dam which is also known as the Stanley Reservoir.

Early Morning Start

We reached Silk board at about 8 a.m and should take about 2.5 hrs via NH7.On the way you can stop over at the famous Anand Bhavan for breakfast and further traveled to Krishnagiri.

Rayakottai – On way :

We however took a deviation at Krishnagiri to take a look at the Rayakottai fort ruled in the 18th century by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan.The deviation from Krishnagiri is of about 30km a 40-50 min drive along a little narrow road.We reached the place at about 10.30 A.M.The road is in very good condition with very little traffic which allows you to enjoy the drive along the way.

Nothing much is left of the fort.It is more like a trek up the small hill from where you can get a view of the surrounding.Nothing has been done by the government to promote or save the monument of whatever is left of it which is sad.

If you decide to go to the fort don’t have a lot of expectation.Its just a little trek to the top of the hill where you have a small temple.It should hardly take you an hour to cover the place.We completed our trek in about 40 min and were ready to leave for hoggenakal by 11.30 A.M.

From Rayakottai we didn’t have to go back to NH7 for hoggenakal but took an alternate route via SH17 from where hoggennakal was about 70k.m.The road again was very good and the drive pleasant and scenic.

Hogenakkal

The drive to hoggennakal from the toll is also very good.Along the hills for half the distance and the other half along the jungle before you reach the destination.

First Fall view from Hanging Bridge:

We reached the falls at at lunch time around 1P.M.The falls at first didn’t see seem to offer much.Viewing it from the the hanging bridge view point it seemed like just another falls.

Reaching at Main Water Fall and Island :

It is about 1 hour journey by boat. However the boat ride which we were not really sure of made the fall trip memorable.The boat ride which take 4 in the basket boat is a experience you will not have in any other lake or falls.A unique ride in itself.It is a 2 phase ride.one on the top of the falls and the other at the bottom of it.

The boat ride is about 1 hour long costing 750 for 4 people.Totally worth it.

Boating is not allowed during monsoon reason.Best season is from Aug to May.

You can also enjoy the desi mailish (massage) and champ at the falls.Something that reminded me of my village. Take a sun bath after the oil massage and then a bath in the fall water. Totally relaxing.

The falls overall is a good get away from the monotonous life of bangalore and a good weekend vacation for kids and adults.