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Hogenakkal Falls or Hogenakal Falls (Template:ಹೊಗೇನಕಲ್) is a waterfall in South India on the Kaveri (or Cauvery) River. It is located in southern Indian state of Karnataka.

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).

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 continual thunder. Soon after the falls the river takes a Southerly course and enters the Mettur reservoir. The river carries sediment which makes the "down-river" land fertile.

At Hogenakkal the river spreads out over a wide area of sandy beaches, then flows through to the Mettur Dam and creates a 60 sq mi. lake called Stanley Reservoir. Built in 1934, this project improved irrigation and provided hydropower.

Weather

The best season to visit is soon after the monsoons, when the river is in full spate. But some tourists prefer to visit during off-season to skip the crowd. the The temperature in Summer varies between Max 34 Degree Celsius to Min 23 Degree Celsius while during the Winter it is still pleasant and ranges from Max 27 Degree Celsius to Min 13 Degree Celsius.

Bathing

Hogenakkal waterfalls is a beautiful picnic spot with its waters supposed to be having curative powers. 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. People can take bath in the Kaveri river, before and beyond the falls. Before reaching Hogenakkal, the river flows through a forest which contains herbs that are traditionally believed to enhance health. Hence bathing in these waters are believed to be curative.

Boating

Boating in Hogenakkal is allowed during the dry-season as the water falls are not strong to disrupt the passage of the boats. Local coracles 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 coracles are about 2.24m in diameter, but still can take a load of eight persons at a time. These coracles are made of bamboo, and with all materials available takes about a day to build. The bottom of the boats are made water proof by the use of hides, but sometimes with sheets of plastic. Use of plastics in the Hogenakkal vicinity, not just for boats, has been criticised due to problems with pollution. These boats are steered and propelled using a single paddle, making them unique. The coracles are locally called as parisal in Tamil and either teppa or harigolu in Kannada.

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. The fish caught include katla, robu, kendai, keluthi, valai, mirgal, aranjan and jilaby. 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.

Accommodation

• The Tourist Bungalow run by the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation

If one plans to stay longer than a day, he/she can take long treks in the surrounding Melagiri Hills and explore the lush, rugged, landscape.

Hogenakkal water project and the issues

There is dispute on the ownership of the land of Hogenakal falls. Below is the reference of the Article which clarifies the disputed land and about the issue of project that it taken up by TN Government.

Article on the Issue of hogenakal is not about water but the land which is disputed. The article details the facts about the row on hogenakal. ]

Main Points are as below.

1. The Hogenakal row is not about water, it is about land. If it is just about drinking water, then let me state categorically that there is no problem at all. After all, it is just 1.46 tmc ft of water that Tamil Nadu is seeking for Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts. To draw this water, no dam is required to be built. All it requires is just a jackwell.

2. There are four dimensions to Hogenakal. They are drinking water needs, irrigation needs, power project, and the holiday resort. As far as I can see, the real bone of contention is the resort. Both States claim that the 500-600 acre island, on which the Tamil Nadu tourism department is trying to build a resort, belongs to them.

3. Hogenakal was part of Coimbatore district till 1956 when it was handed over to Karnataka. The Cauvery river forms the border between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu for about 64 km. This is called the “common reach”. Hogenkal is at the 40th km. By international convention, if a river lies between two states or countries, then the centre point of the river forms the border. The island where TN wants to build a resort lies in the middle at Hogenakal but TN has not allowed a survey to be held to determine which State the island belongs to.

4. The Union Government, way back in 1998, had proposed construction of four hydel projects, viz Shivanasamudram, Mekedatu, Rasimanal and Hogenakal. Karnataka agreed to the sharing of power generated by Rasimanal and Hogenakal which are situated in the common reach of the river Cauvery. However, Karnataka objected to the sharing of power generated by Shivanasamudram and Mekedatu projects on the ground that these projects fall entirely within the territory of Karnataka.

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.

Also Very Important Kaveri-Water-Injustice-to-Karnataka -> ]

See also

• List of waterfalls in India

References

1. ^ ARTICLE 262 AND INTER-STATE DISPUTES RELATING TO WATER Ministry of Law, Government of India
2. "Cauvery River in Southern India". cauvery.com. Retrieved 2006-11-11.
3. http://www.hogenakkal.com/services.html
4. http://www.hogenakkal.com/
5. ^ Boats of South Asia- by Sean McGrail el al.,
6. The Hindu - Row, row, row your boat
7. Hide boats at Hogenakal on the river Kaveri, Tamil Nadu- by C Palmer et al.
8. Garbage ruining Hogenakkal's beauty - The Hindu
9. Hogenakkal falls
10. The Hindu - The 1998 story of Hogenakkal
11. Times of India - Hogenakkal project: Water of hope
12. Business Line - Japan Bank agrees to fund Hogenakkal water project

External links

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

• Kaveri River
• Dharmapuri District
• Waterfalls of Tamil Nadu