PaulineBarwell2 at 14:36, 10 January 2026

2026-01-10T14:36:16Z

New page

{{Short description|Waterfall on Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border}}
{{pp-sock|small=yes}}
{{Infobox waterfall
| name = Hogenakkal Falls
| photo = Hogenakkal Falls Close.jpg
| photo_caption = Hogenakkal Falls
| location = [[Tamil Nadu]] and [[Karnataka]]
| elevation = {{convert|700|m|abbr=on}}
| coords = {{coord|12.1182|77.77385|format=dms|type:landmark|display=inline, title}}
| type =
| height =
| height_longest = {{convert|20|m|abbr=on}}
| average_width =
| number_drops =
| average_flow =
| watercourse = [[Kaveri river]]
| world_rank =
| website =
| alt_name=
}}
'''Hogenakkal Falls''' is a [[waterfall]] in [[South India]] on the [[Kaveri]] river on the border between [[Dharmapuri district]] of [[Tamil Nadu]] and [[Chamarajanagar district|Chamrajnagar district]] of [[Karnataka]].<ref>Upon entering Tamil Nadu, the Kaveri continues through a series of twisted wild gorges until it reaches Hogenakal Falls and flows through a straight, narrow gorge.... {{cite encyclopedia|title=Kaveri River|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/100477/Kaveri-River|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=6 March 2012}}</ref> It is located {{Convert|46|km|mi|abbr=on}} from [[Dharmapuri]] and {{Convert|199|km|mi|abbr=on}} from [[Chamrajnagar]]. [[Carbonatite]] rocks in this site are considered to be the oldest of its kind in [[South Asia]] and one of the oldest in the world.<ref>{{cite journal |id={{INIST|3910799}} |doi=10.1016/0301-9268(94)90104-X |title=2.0 Ga old pyroxenite-carbonatite complex of Hogenakal, Tamil Nadu, South India |year=1994 |last1=Natarajana |first1=M |last2=Bhaskar Rao |first2=B |last3=Parthasarathy |first3=R |last4=Kumar |first4=Anil |last5=Gopalan |first5=K |journal=Precambrian Research |volume=65 |issue=1–4 |pages=167–81}}</ref> The [[Government of Tamil Nadu]] made a proposal to convert the falls into providing drinking water for the state.

==Etymology==
According to the consensus, the name ''Hogenakal'' is derived from [[Kannada]] ({{Lang|kn|ಹೊಗೆನಕಲ್}}) and means ‘Smoky Rocks’. The river when falls on the rock below, the gushing force of water resembles like smoke emanating from the rocks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hogenakkal Falls, Dharmapuri {{!}} Dharmapuri District, Government of Tamil Nadu {{!}} India |url=https://dharmapuri.nic.in/gallery/hogenakkal-falls/ |access-date=2022-08-10 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="kannada">{{cite web
|url=http://www.tamilnadutourism.org/places/citiestowns/Dharmapuri.aspx?CatId=C1&SubCat1Id=C1S1&SubCat2Id=C1S1S16
|title=Dharmapuri district - places of interest
|publisher=tamilnadutorism.org
|access-date=2006-11-11
}}</ref> It is also called as ''Marikottayam'' by the people of Tamil Nadu.

However, another etymology related to the Tamil language has recently emerged. Some argue, in relation to the modern [[Pure Tamil]] politics in the state of Tamil Nadu, that ''Hogenakkal'' is derived from the Tamil ''Uguneer Kal'' ({{Lang|ta|உகுநீர் கல்}} ; possibly meaning ‘Milky water Rocks’).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=வள்ளல் அதியமான் கோலோச்சிய பூமி: தகடூர் நாடு என்று புகழ் பெற்ற நம்ம தர்மபுரி |url=https://www.dinakaran.com/news_detail.asp?Nid=629341 |access-date=2022-08-10 |website=www.dinakaran.com}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2021-12-28 |title=கர்நாடகா தமிழகம் உரிமை கொண்டாடும் ஒகேனக்கல் அருவியின் சிறப்புகள் |url=https://in4net.com/hogenakkal-falls-features/ |access-date=2022-08-10 |website=IN4NET - Dotcom for information |language=en-US}}</ref>

== History ==
Hogenakkal falls is mentioned in [[Sangam literature|Sangam Literature]] as Thalaineer aruvi (தலைநீர் அருவி). All the areas around this waterfalls are called Thalaineer Naadu (தலைநீர் நாடு). It was ruled by the King named Adiyaman Neduman Anji. References to this King and the Falls are found in the [[Sangam literature|Sangam Literatures]] like [[Purananuru|Purananooru]] ([[:ta:புறநானூறு|புறநானூறு]]), [[Agananuru|Agananooru]] ([[:ta:அகநானூறு|அகநானூறு]]), [[Kuṟuntokai|Kurunthogai]] ([[:ta:குறுந்தொகை|குறுந்தொகை]]) etc.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

==River==
{{main|Kaveri river}}

The Kaveri is considered to form at [[Talakaveri]] in the [[Brahmagiri (hill)|Brahmagiri hills]] in the [[Western Ghats]] of [[south India]] and gathers momentum as the land drops in elevation. It becomes larger as various tributaries feed into it on the way down.<ref name=law>[http://lawmin.nic.in/ncrwc/finalreport/v2b3-6.htm ARTICLE 262 AND INTER-STATE DISPUTES RELATING TO WATER] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090409234827/http://lawmin.nic.in/ncrwc/finalreport/v2b3-6.htm |date=9 April 2009 }} ''Ministry of Law, Government of India''</ref> 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 {{convert|20|m|abbr=on}} and is said to sound like continual thunder.{{citation needed|date=July 2011}} The river carries [[sediment]] which makes the downriver land fertile.
At Hogenakkal the river spreads out over a wide area of sandy beaches, then flows south to the [[Mettur Dam]] and creates a {{convert|60|sqmi|km2|abbr=on}}. lake called [[Stanley Reservoir]]. Built in 1934, this project improved irrigation and provided [[hydropower]].<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.cauvery.com/cauvery_river.html
|title=Cauvery River in Southern India
|publisher=cauvery.com
|access-date=2006-11-11
}}</ref>

==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 water temperature in summer varies between {{convert|23|-|34|°C|°F}} while during the winter it ranges from {{convert|13|-|27|°C|°F}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hogenakkal.com/services.html|title=Overview - Visit India Travel Guide Hogenakkal Adventure|publisher=Hogenakkal.com|access-date=2014-02-07|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224105605/http://www.hogenakkal.com/services.html|archive-date=24 February 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==Boating==
{{See also|Indian coracles}}

[[File:Parisal Boating in Hogenakkal falls in tamil nadu.jpg|thumb|Parisal Boating in Hogenakkal falls|alt=|left]]

Boating in Hogenakkal is allowed during the dry-season as the falls are not strong enough to disrupt the passage of the boats. This is the main source of income for boat operators. The coracles are about {{convert|2.24|m|abbr=on}} in diameter and can carry eight people at a time.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070527173311/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2007/05/12/stories/2007051251900500.htm The Hindu - Row, row, row your boat]</ref> These coracles are made of [[bamboo]], and with all materials available takes about a day to build. The bottom of the boats are made waterproof by the use of [[Hide (skin)|hides]], but sometimes with sheets of plastic.<ref>{{cite journal |id={{INIST|13550447}} |doi=10.1080/02666030.2001.9628601 |title=Hide Boats at Hogenakal on the River Kaveri, Tamil Nadu |year=2001 |last1=Palmer |first1=Colin |last2=Blue |first2=Lucy |last3=McGrail |first3=Sean |journal=South Asian Studies |volume=17 |issue=1 |pages=199–207|s2cid=192182900 }}</ref> Use of plastics in the Hogenakkal vicinity, not just for boats, has been criticised due to problems with pollution.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20050407043024/http://www.hindu.com/2005/02/22/stories/2005022204900600.htm Garbage ruining Hogenakkal's beauty - The Hindu]</ref> These boats are steered and propelled using a single paddle, making them unique. The coracles are locally called ''parisal'' in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] and ''teppa'' or {{Transliteration|ka|harigolu}} in [[Kannada language|Kannada]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hogenakkal Waterfalls, Hogenakkal Falls, Activities at Hogenakkal, Tour to Hogenakkal Waterfalls India|url=http://www.ecoindia.com/waterfalls/hogenakkal.html|website=www.ecoindia.com|access-date=2020-05-02}}</ref>

Freshly caught fish are sold by the gorge and also various vendors selling water and snacks up and down the gorge rowing their coracles is not uncommon. The fish caught include {{Transliteration|ka|katla}}, {{Transliteration|ka|robu}}, {{Transliteration|ka|kendai}}, {{Transliteration|ka|keluthi}}, {{Transliteration|ka|valai}}, {{Transliteration|ka|mirgal}}, {{Transliteration|ka|aranjan}} and {{Transliteration|ka|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.

==Hogenakkal water project==
{{main|Hogenakkal Integrated Drinking Water Project}}
Hogenakal Falls<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dharmapuri.nic.in/tourist-place/hogenakkal-falls/|title=Hogenakkal Falls|website=dharmapuri.nic.in|access-date=24 December 2019}}</ref> is the location for the Hogenakkal Integrated Drinking Water Project proposed by the [[Government of Tamil Nadu|Tamil Nadu Government]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080408041355/http://www.hindu.com/2008/04/05/stories/2008040557820100.htm The Hindu - The 1998 story of Hogenakkal]</ref> The objective of this project is to provide safe drinking water to the urban and rural areas in Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121020195600/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-04-16/chennai/27762465_1_fluorosis-fluoride-hogenakkal-water-project Times of India - Hogenakkal project: Water of hope]</ref> In February 2008, The Japan Bank for International Cooperation agreed to fund the Rs 1,340-crore project.<ref>[http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/02/07/stories/2008020751992100.htm Business Line - Japan Bank agrees to fund Hogenakkal water project]</ref>

== Gallery ==
{{Gallery
|title=Gallery
|File:Mountain near the hogenakkal falls.jpg
|Mountain near the hogenakkal falls
|File:Whirlpool damaged mountain portion in hogenakkal falls in tamil nadu.jpg
|Whirlpool damaged mountain portion in Hogenakkal Falls in Tamil Nadu
|File:HoggenekkalLandingParisalsPanorama2.jpg
|Area near Hogenakkal falls with the coracles beached for picnics
|File:Hogenakkal Falls bathing area.jpg
|Hogenakkal Falls bathing area
}}

==See also==
*[[List of waterfalls]]
*[[List of waterfalls in India]]
*[[Hogenakkal, Dharmapuri|Hogenakkal]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Hogenakkal Falls}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070825031019/http://www.hindu.com/2005/09/22/stories/2005092213820300.htm Protest against `encroachment' of island near Hogenekal Falls]

{{Kaveri River}}
{{Hydrography of Tamil Nadu}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}

[[Category:Kaveri River]]
[[Category:Dharmapuri district]]
[[Category:Waterfalls of Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Internal territorial disputes]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Chamarajanagar district]]
[[Category:Waterfalls of Karnataka]]

Hogenakkal Falls - Revision history

PaulineBarwell2 at 14:36, 10 January 2026