Also see: Places around Bangalore on the bank of kaveri
You get the feel of the river running nearby when you enter the sanctuary enclosing Hogenakal waterfall. Suddenly, there is plenty of vegetation and little habitation, the road keeps going down and down into the valley indicating the probability of finding a river. A 15 minute of quite drive into the forest leads you to a busy and noisy village(or call it a marketplace) or Hogenakkal.
The real action begins with the boatmen, even before you get to see the waterfall. You realize that you need a coracle to go there, and approach the boatmen expecting to pay may be a 20, 30 or 50 rupees. You would be in for a big surprised when they ask you for a 500! Heavy bargaining can bring it down considerably but they are pretty smart businessmen and they know you wont go back easily after coming this far!
This is another big waterfall on the Kaveri river after Shivanasamudra. Though not as high as the earlier one, it is equally magnificent, with the river falling into a narrow gorge in several bursts of water. There is no wide open space where you can stand and watch the fall; you need to hire a coracle and get right into the gorge to be able to see it. The boatmen can take you really close to the falling water, sometimes to make the water splash into you if you wish. River here is only a little wider than Mekedatu but much mellow, flows through a narrow channel surrounded by rocks on both sides which are carved into strange shapes by the river. Boatmen say water is probably a 100 feet deep here. The channel looks lovely and the rocks look as if they were carved by an artist!
There are many such bursts of water in Hogenakkal
Another attraction are local kids who can show you their diving skills, for a fee. They can dive for you from a height of around 30 feet into the water and climb straight up back on the rocks in no time, all for mere Rs.5 from the spectator. There is competition within them and you may be offered a discount! A little downstream to the river is a wide plane where day trippers and picnic crowd spend most of their time, but you don’t really find a good shelter anywhere there. Men can attempt a massage offered by the local masseur but is best avoided.
Hogenakal Information
Hogenakal is around 150km from Bangalore. You need to take Hosur road and drive through Hosur and Krishnagiri, turn left after Krishnagiri and reach Dharmapuri. Drive into Dharmapuri and ask for directions to the fall. Another 30km drive takes you to Hogenakal. Roads are pretty good till Dharmapuri and then will slow you down a bit. Expect a two and a half hour journey. No food or accommodation available at the location and it is good to pack your lunch before you start. Starting early from Bangalore helps, as it can get really sunny as the day goes.
Hey..I love your blog…By the way as you show is Hogenakkal just 150 kms away from Bangalore?? How much time by bus or bike..You could visit my blog http://www.lifesimplyrocks.blogspot.com or mail me at vidyainbangalore@gmail.com
Do reply…I would love to go here
HI,
LOVELY BLOG…BUT PLZ TELL ME..
IS IT SAFE TO GO IN CORACLE BOATS…AND IS LANGUAGE A PROBLEM THERE..DO THE BOATSMAN UNDERSTAND HINDI…AND IS THERE ANY PLACE WHERE WE CAN DIP IN THE RIVER(I DONT KNOW SWIMMING…)..
rahul, i dont think there is anything to fear as far as teh language goes… but of course be ready to bargain with the corackal boatmen. but believe me the rideis worth the money… say 250 – 300 bucks is not a raw deal at all.. by any standards. if u are with a nice enthu boatman …he will take u places where u can dip in the river…
Prabhu From TUTY
I want to see that place, Any other places nearer to that, Guys I am tour hunger ,put some more also,It will help for every one.
hi,
Thanx a lot for the info about hogenakkal.I went there in bike .It took around 3 hours.As I got the info I took the route of bangalore-hosur-rayakottai-palacode-pannagram-hogenakkal.IT is about 150km.It was very hot so we went to see the waterfall near about 4.it was cool then.the boatman took us for a 1 hour trip.He will even do a body massage for you if u want.He will charge you for that.In between that ride he will take you to a shore kind of place where local people will fry fresh fishes and you can have it there.Lots of fishes.you can enjoy as much as you want.You can play in the water there at the same time.There are places to stay back if you want like hotel Tamilnadu and CM hotel etc.Language may be a problem but I have seen people adjusting somehow.You can manage somehow.But need to bargain.It was a wonderful one day trip and people can go in groups to enjoy the weekend.
You need to be extra careful as the boatman may take you near the waterfall unaware. All ur belongings like dress, purse, mobile, credit cards, camera etc., may get fully drenched in the water fall. Make sure you pack these things in a water proof bag before you enter the river. Buy a hat if u can as it may protect your head both from sun and water.
Would there enough water in the falls now-a-days?
I think there would be water now, with all the kind of rains we are having.. even if it is not there now, another week and there should definitely be good amount of water
Hey , Is it a hiily drive to Reach Hogenakal Fall. I am planning to go there by driving car ..
Hi every body this is lucky from bangalore
We a batch of 30 people hav planned to hav a trip to hogennakkel for the week end but i hav no exact information abt the place,like will there be any places to stay back there at night i.e accomidation and food. So could any body give me the exact details of that please.
Wonderful post PaintedStork.
I referred to your post before visiting the place myself. And I must tell you, the place was way too good. I couldn’t resist writing about it at http://travellersdiary.wordpress.com
Hi All,
This is Ramesh from Bangalore. This week end (28/06/08)I’m planning to go Hogenakkal with family. Can anybody tell me is it right time to visit Hogenekkal. And also hoz the bus facility from and to bangalore?
Thanks…
Route map for Bangalore to Hogenakal water falls.
For every half an hour we have bus’s to salem from bangalore. We have to catch a “salem” bus and getdown at “Dharmapuri” stage, Fair from Bangalore to Dharmapuri is 58 RS in tamilnadu RTC. Journey upto Dharmapuri is three and half hours journey.
The distance between Dharmapuri and bangalore is 130 kms. Via Hosur, Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri.
From Dharmapuri we have lot of buses to Hogenakal water falls. The distance between Dharmapuri and Hogenakal is 46 KMS. Bus fair is 15 RS. Journey is one hour from Dharmapuri to Hogenakal water falls.
We can visit Hogenakal water falls in the months of July, August and September.
Now the current (Water flow) in Hogenakal is excelent. For Boatmen pay only 80 RS to show all the spots of river kaveri and waterfalls. They will ride the boat for 3 kms.
Watching the beauty of kaveri river from falls is very beautifull. Baotmen sail near to the waterfalls in opposite current, it is very beautiful and romantic.
For lovers, newly married couple and for firends it is very beautiful picnic spot. We can swim in water.
It is good place for trucking also. Hotels and rooms are available at Hogenakal.
Massage is also avaialble.
We have to start from bangalore at 1 AM, and we can reach the Dharmapuri at 4.30 AM in Bus. There are plenty of buses available we can reach the water falls at 5.30 AM.
We have to see the beauty of mountains at 5.30 AM it is very very beautiful.
Who are is bangalore please visit waterfalls atleast once. It is very cheap to travel and enjoy the weekend.
Hi..
I have been to hogenakkal twice. Its very beautiful. The view from the top is just awesome!!
Plan your visit such that you reach the top in the evening. The sunset is very beautiful.
If the water current is very strong, as is the case in every monsoon, you may not get to visit the top. The coracle guy may not dare to go near the waterfall even!!!
So avoid peak monsoon times. Best time to enjoy would be after the monsoons.. may be in december or january, when you have lots of water, but not so much that you cannot go in. And ofcourse, a bike ride from bangalore (about 140 kms) via bannerghatta – anekal road is simply too good!!!
All the best!
Lovely pic…I will be going this week to Hoganekkal…hoping for some nice shots…
-Maneesh.
Admirableindia.com
Hi All,
Thanx a ton for dropping all the above comments as it helped me in making my christmas vacation very easily…
Cud sumone help me out in givin a info bout:
*Is hoggenekal worth stayin for 2 days??
*Safe to stay as we all who are going are girls??
*Any other place around hoggnekal..worth visiting???
Hi,
Thanks for sharing the info. I wanted to know if the place is safe enough to visit with a 2 yr old kid.
Thanx in advance for any info.
Regards
@Shwetha, it is not so good a place for a 2 year old. You will have to keep a close watch or keep him/her with you all the time.
CVan anybody tell me how the falls will be during Dec end ?
Hi..
I found the contents of your blog copied in this website…
http://www.hogenakkal.com/services.html
hi…thanx 4 d info.. i wud lik 2 know whether v can enjoy by swimming n playing in water for few hrs over der…plz do reply 2 http://manoj1551.blogspot.com
also i wud lik 2 know any otger places around hogenekal.. places were v can enjoy wit water or any other gud place..
Folks, there’s a much better way to reach Hogenakkal from Bangalore. The route’s fantastic as far as I know it. Here we go:
Bangalore – Hosur – Rayakottai – Palakkodu – Pennagaram – Hogenakkal.
Hi Friends,
Is this the right time to visit Hogenakkal falls. As this is summer can we enjoy in the water falls there? How about the flow of water?? please let me know.
I want to know, whether can I take my 3years old son to hognekkal falls, can he enjoy there?
I guess so. But you should keep a constant watch over your son. It would not be a place where kids can roam around freely at will.
hi, wanted to check which is the closest river/water fall one can go to, where we have a decent hotel to stay by, from Bangalore
Can you plz tel me if there is any thing much to do in this place, is fishing allowed? any place you suggest for stay.
Hi Priyanka, Fishing is allowed. I don’t think there is any good place to stay nearby.
any surrounding places worth a visit????
can we go to hogenakal now (sep middle)?
can we go by crocale…is it safe?
i am aged 58 i wish to take my family to this tourist spot from chennai tell me the en route to this spot
massage with water what a experience it is