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Hogenakkal Falls or Hogenakal Falls (Template:Lang-ta, Template:Lang-kn) is a waterfall in South India, located on a stretch of the Kaveri (or Cauvery) River that forms the border between the Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka and the Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu. The exact location of the border near the falls is disputed by the two states, pending a modern survey.

The falls area is a major tourist attraction in the region, known for boat rides using a traditional hide boat known as a Parisal or Theppa, and for its medicinal baths, and has been called "the Niagara falls of India". Carbonatite rocks in this site are considered to be the oldest of their kind in South Asia and among the oldest in the world..

Etymology

When the water falls on the rocks it appears as if hoge (smoke in Kannada) is emanating from the top of the kal (rock in Kannada) because of the force of the water, hence Hogenakkal (smoking rocks). It is also called as Marikottayam by the people of Tamil Nadu.

River

The Kaveri River is considered to form at Talakaveri in the Brahmagiri hills in Kodagu district in Karnataka and gathers momentum as the land drops in elevation. It becomes larger as various tributaries feed into it on the way down. At Hogenakkal, the Kaveri, now a large river, drops and creates numerous waterfalls as the water cuts through the rocky terrain. In places the water falls as much as 20 m and is said to sound like continuous thunder. Soon after the falls the river takes a Southerly course and enters the Mettur reservoir.Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page).

Hogenakkal water project

Hogenakal Falls is the location for the Hogenakkal Integrated Drinking Water Project proposed by the Tamil Nadu Government. The objective of this project is to provide safe drinking water to the urban and rural areas in Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts. In February 2008, The Japan Bank for International Cooperation has agreed to fund the Rs 1,340-crore project. The Karnataka government has disputed this project based on legal issues. . Chief minister of Karnataka Government has reminded Central Govt about this long pending dispute.

Bathing

Before reaching Hogenakkal, the river flows through a forest which contains herbs that are traditionally believed to enhance health and make bathing in these waters curative. Hogenakkal is set in thick, green woods and is considered both a sacred bathing place and a spa-like health resort. Here the water spreads for miles around. The area is surrounded by hills and offers lovely panoramic view .

Boating

Boating is allowed during the dry-season as the water falls are not strong to disrupt the passage of the boats. Local boats called parisals operate from the banks of both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka banks of the gorge. This is the main source of income for these boat operators. The parisals are about 8 feet in diameter, but still can take a load of eight persons at a time. Freshly caught fish are sold by the gorge and also various vendors selling water and snacks up and down the gorge rowing their parisals is not uncommon. After leaving the gorge, on the left shore one can find improvised stalls set up on the sand. There, one can let the fresh fishes be prepared in one of the many kitchens. Also, many people can be found swimming or bathing around there.

See also

• List of waterfalls in India

References

1. http://www.hindu.com/2005/09/30/stories/2005093006130400.htm The Hindu: Survey maps of disputed area available
2. http://www.igpsrmysuru.gov.in/cnagar/cnagar.htm
3. http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:atbWHj0fVoAJ:www.chamarajanagaracity.gov.in/tourism.html+Hogenakal+site:gov.in&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&client=firefox-a
4. http://lawmin.nic.in/ncrwc/finalreport/v2b3-6.htm
5. http://mea.gov.in/maps/physicalmap.pdf
6. http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Mar202008/scroll2008032058461.asp
7. MSN India article referring to the Niagara of India
8. Hogenakkal tourism site
9. http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=3910799
10. "Dharmapuri district - places of interest". tamilnadutorism.org. Retrieved 2006-11-11.
11. Hogenakal
12. Cite error: The named reference law was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
13. The Hindu - The 1998 story of Hogenakkal
14. Times of India - Hogenakkal project: Water of hope
15. Business Line - Japan Bank agrees to fund Hogenakkal water project
18. The Hindu - Row, row, row your boat

External links

• Protest against `encroachment' of island near Hogenekal Falls
• Satellite view
• Hogenakal

• Waterfalls of India