Nature and its beauty is something that captivates our memory for life time. Human mind always recall those fantabulous moments when the nature is associated with few very special occasions. May it be green rich Amazon rainforest or tropical African grasslands, from the great Himalayas to driest Atacama desserts, every place has its own charm. Our quest to reach out to each of the beauty associated with nature is never ending. This post is all about the so called ‘Niagara of India’ aka Hogenakkal water falls which is about 130 kms from Bangalore. Thought it is such a nearby place, never been to this place before and we had a reason to visit this time!
Since some of our team mates are about to bid a bye to Yahoo! and join Microsoft as a part of search alliance, we chose to bid farewell to them in an unique way. The outcome of that thought process is the visit to Hogenakkal water falls on River Kaveri. Though we were just four to visit the place, it included 2 repeated visitors who had visited few years back. We chose to travel by Ford Figo 1.2 disel variant by starting early on a saturday morning. If you follow any online map, the chances are more likely that you may end up travelling longer distance. We took the route via Hosur, Denkanikottai and Anchetty through which the roads are pretty good except few small stretches spread over not more than 15 kms. I can strongly recommend this route for travel by bike as well as car.
Up on reaching the venue, we hired a coracle boat at the cost of 200 per head (800 for 4 of us). No receipts for this what so ever! Though there were few officials, the counter which sells the boat tickets was closed! The officials didn’t even bother to enforce wearing of life jackets by the tourists who hired coracles. Safety precautions have to be taken up voluntarily by the visitors. We requested for life jackets and they did provide us without insisting on the proper way of wearing them. Nobody cares here for the lives unless you demand for the safety measures on your own. Keeping aside this safety flaw, rest all is awesome! Multiple water falls across this place is just a great sight. When the tiny water particles flying in the air hit our body, the feel is so refreshing!! You just have to experience it to believe. Water looks all smokey when flowing through precipice and hence no wonder the name ‘Smoking Rocks’.
Coracle boat ride was for almost 2 hours and we enjoyed every bit of it. Moving close to multiple water falls through carbonatite rocky terrain is an absolute feast for eyes. Astonishing sound of the falls due to sheer force of the water just re-iterates the power of nature. Though the water level was neither too high nor low, I would say it was more than enough to make our minds to revisit this place!
Our purpose of bidding farewell to our colleagues through this unique way will sure be remembered for a life time! And this post is also my entry for the ‘Cleartrip My Purpose‘ contest on indiblogger. If I get to win this contest, another travelogue on the cards for sure 🙂
Mani Venkat says
Thanks for the information
travel couple says
We have been to Hogenakkal last year and absolutely loved it
Abhay Singh says
None can define the beauty of nature. Only a poet, writer, traveler and Child can define, Famous poet William Wordsworth has define ‘The Beauty of Nature’ as a small child “Lucy” in his poem :Lucy gray”, Famous Hindi poet Jay Shankar Prashad has define in his book “Kamayani” as Manu and Shraddha. Thank you for sharing such post.
Ramkumar says
I planned to go Hogenakkal. Before that i got some information from you mohan. Thanks.
Abhay says
I last visited Hoggenikal Falls in late 2008. Its beautiful special post monsoon. I must appreciate your blog, it covers what needs to be covered. One thing though I would like to mention is that, its the worst managed tourist destination on Cauvery basin. Plastics all-around, liquor smell and no facilities for tourist (decent stay, toilets, etc). Manage on your own
sujatha sathya says
lovely. i have been to hoganekkal many times. enjoyed the fish fry,the theppa (coracle) rides n of course the waterfalls
nice post
Mohan says
Thank you! Nice to see you on my blog too 🙂
Rahul says
Hi Mohan…Valuable information for planning a trip to Hogenakkal
A.sasidhara says
yeah ! good place to visit
Thank You for all the valuable information You have provided in this article.
Kind Regards
A.sasidhar
Prashant says
Hi Mohan,
It is awesome info given by you but I needed few more advice.
1.Could you suggest what will be the good place to have snacks and lunch around the trip.
2.Is there any bike stands so that we can park the bikes.I am sure there will be.
3.Till what time is it safe to be there and return ( mind you on a bike and with wife)
Waiting for your reply,
Prashant
mohan says
Its realy a nice place to visit, and i hav visit many times.
nice sharing.
kaushal says
I visited Hogenakkal today.While going i took Hosur, Denkanikottai and Anchetty route and must tell you its in very bad shape.Even in my Scorpio I felt it was tiring.Road has been dug at so many places. While coming back I came via Krishnagiri and roads are very good.Travelling on the first route on a motorbike may not be a good idea.
Unfortunately I enjoyed the return drive more than the tour itself :).
Zak says
Your post refreshed my memories of Hogenakkal falls. Its really a beautiful place.
Question for you. Your blogs’ comment design looks similar to Reddits’. Did you custom design it?
Preeti says
Gorgeous photos mohan! I remember visiting this place a couple of years back, but by then the water wasn’t so whitish. It was more reddish with muddy water.
keerthana says
I’m so very scared of this place…I don’t know why..the boatman went so near to the waterfall that it just shook the crap out of me…:(
sajeev kumar menon says
Hi Mohan
looks like a great place. nice pictures
sajeev
umesh derebail says
I have never been to Hognekal, good info on the place i would like to definitely make it one day or the other.
Saket says
Woah,its so gorgeous. I’ll be visiting Bangalore in a month or two, I hope I visit it 😀
Nona says
I always pictured Jog Falls as the Niagara of India!
Farila says
I remember going there with my family a long long time ago…. May be 25 years or so. My sister loved going on picnics and this was one of her arrangements. Not been on outing much after I lost her to breast cancer.
Thanks for bringing back lovely memories of past.
Your blog is wonderful with amazing pictures as usual.
Mohan says
Things have changed a lot for sure… Ah! sorry to know about your sister.
Ash says
Gorgeous! I so want to visit here.
Mohan says
Yes, it is Ash!
Iwrite4u says
I love those pictures,nice.I love to go there someday and enjoy the plash of water 🙂
Mohan says
Thank you! yes, one can’t miss to do that fun filled activity there!
Varsha says
Nice pics Mohan.. being a kannadiga I didn’t visit many parts of south karnataka.. need to visit this place when i am in India. Nice pics and nice description 🙂
Mohan says
Thanks Varsha! Yeah, plan to visit this place between nov to feb.
Jeevan says
Very nice pics Mohan and kudos for sharing them.
You made my day(morning).
I have not visited the Niagara Falls, however I hope to visit Hogenakkal Water Falls some day. 😉
Mohan says
Thanks Jeevan, i am glad you liked it 🙂
psyche says
Hey Mohan,
Yeah, went there a couple of years ago.. and it was indeed a fun outing.. Plus, bunch of friends, out of d city always pays off.. Lovely pics and description! :)))
Mohan says
Thanks Sid 🙂
Nyaya says
Nice pictures. Circular boats bring a lot of memories of college. Boys used to try and show off to us girls as to how good they were in rowing however ended up going round and round being teased by the local boats man. Thanks for the photos.
Mohan says
Ah… those golden days!
Simply Ridiculous says
Cool pics!!
Mohan says
Thanks!
vasrao says
The circular boats are unique ! I have seen only in some films.Do they keep going round & round ? The snaps are so inviting !
Mohan says
They are the countryside boats. Yes, the boatman can take it to circle around which gives a different kind of kick altogether! Thanks 🙂
Rakesh says
Hi Mohan…
I want to go hogenakkal water falls on bike with my wife.which route is best for me.give me some suggestions and precautions…
Mohan says
Rakesh, the route I have mentioned is pretty good even for a bike ride.
Deepa says
The place seems to be quite nice…I have heard my dad speak about this place.
Would love to visit it someday.
Mohan says
It is indeed a nice place Deepa, plan to visit when you are around.
RESTLESS says
Breathtakingly beautiful pics!!!!
Mohan says
thanks Restless 🙂
Shrinidhi Hande says
Different water levels at different seasons give different perspectives
Mohan says
True.. I second that 🙂 Saw your posts on the same place.
Arti says
The pics are amazingly beautiful… and the travelogue is captivating!
Never been to this amazing place, would definitely love to be there someday!
Mohan says
Thanks Arti! 🙂
afshan says
Hi
have been to bangalore but never visited this place 🙁 sad
will try once defnitely
GOOD luck with the contest!!and awesome pics
Mohan says
Sure, you will enjoy there definitely, but make sure you choose the right season.
Vineeta says
Oh I remember how small children jump from the top into these waters for money! My god! btw.. are these falls comparable to Niagara or should it be Jog or Shivasamudram?
Mohan says
Oh yeah! I was told by one of my colleague about such kids doing somersaults for money. But there weren’t any such kinds during my last week visit. Well, the water level is pretty less compared to what it would be around Aug/Sep. Certainly the might of Niagara is something unmatchable!
Devilzangel says
ohhh amazin 😀 well d falls arnt quite like niagara falls in terms of width n speed :p but lucky u tht u @Least got 2 hrs in d boat ride :D. In niagara falls u jus get like half an hr of boat ride 😐 wich is so less :(. n u bet d falls r a royal feast 4 d eyes :D.
Mohan says
I do agree with you on the width and speed. Oh yeah, the coracle ride was awesome.. except that there were a couple of sunburns 😀
Punit says
Nice place…quite a descriptive narration! Would for sure ride to this place someday in near future…
Mohan says
Thanks Punit.. glad you liked the article!
Anuradha says
wow… Niagara of India! I had not heard about Hogenakkal Water Falls… thanks for sharing the experience!
Mohan says
My pleasure.. it is indeed a nice place. Be choosy about the visit season 🙂
Parth Joshi says
lovely pictures…
Mohan says
Thanks Parth!
iniyamalar says
Hi. That was a nice post. I have been there when was ten or so but still the day is so vivid in my memories. The way we dived and played in those streams leading to the falls and one unforgettable moment is that I was pulled into the gushing current towards the falls and my dad used my long hair to pull me back to the shore.
It was fun though. Thanks for sharing this.
Mohan says
Thanks Iniamalar! Yeah, playing in water is always fun… but at times it is scary too! My pleasure, glad you liked it.
Deboshree says
What a place! I must make it a point to visit sometime… thanks for the virtual tour. 😀 Good luck for the contest.
Mohan says
Oh yeah.. you shouldn’t miss Deboshree! Thank you.
Geeta Singh says
amazing waterfall , thanks for sharing this experience , i’ll follow this route because I will go to visit this place soon..I have seen Niagara fall but I missed this one 🙂
Mohan says
Geeta, make it at the earliest else wait till December 🙂
Geeta Singh says
thanks !!
Mohan says
🙂
Pinky says
Niagara of India… wow I never knew about this place. Myself being from b’lore I did not know this place. But thanks Mohan once I am back to India from USA I am gone see this falls.
As my post is about Niagara visit itself… I can totally relate to your amazing experience.
Mohan says
Thanks pinky… just read through your post as well. I can imagine the might of gushing water at Niagara!
Shrikant says
Wonderful pics. Would definitely love to experience floating past multiple waterfalls tumbling from such sheer cliffs. Really breathtaking!!!
Mohan says
Thanks Shrikant!
Prathima says
Nice writeup and pics..I haven’t visited the place, but looks like it is an interesting place..
Mohan says
Timing of the visit is very important. Choose a season which doesn’t flood nor completely dried up for the feast of a visit 🙂
Sai says
Nice write up, place worth visiting.
Mohan says
Yes it is! Thank you Sai.
Praveen GS says
Woow, I had visited this place long time back and really enjoyed. especially the fish prepared by local ladies there is really good. will surely visit in near time
Mohan says
May you want to think about the fish there…. since the adulterated oil has become a famous business all over…
Aathira says
I have always been double minded about visiting Hogenakkal. Some folks have told me… they did not see any water, just trickles… and here you say they were smoky waterfalls with the sprays right on your face!
Mohan says
Aathira, timing of the visit is very important. December to Feb should be an ideal season to visit. Absolutely, that feel is still mesmerizing!
pramod says
really gorgeous. The waterfalls pictured in a magnificent manner. very alluring. The simple descriptive writing has sent tremors to heart to be there and enjoy the bliss of the falls.
really enviable, at the same time unbelievable too, that such exquisite places exist in India.
excellent.
Mohan says
I should be thanking my Canon PowerShot SD 630 point and shoot camera for the pics. I haven’t uploaded the full resolution pics on flickr yet. You will enjoy them much better there!