Partha's Travelogue
HogenakkalJourneys around the world
Hogenakkal Waterfalls is just about 180 KM from Bangalore in Tamil Nadu. I found this out quite some time back. I have been planning a trip to Hogenakkal for the last 1 month. However, the plan materialised on 17-Feb-2019 (Sunday).
On Saturday, it was decided that Deepshree, Riya and I would go to Hogenakkal. Maa said that she was not feeling like spending so much time in the sun. Ranoo said that she has to finish her assignments from her college. Late in the night, Deepshree roped in Ujwala and Bhavitha. Ujwala is my sister-in-law and Bhavitha is Ujwala’s daughter.
We decided that we would start by 7 AM in the morning. However, by the we could start, it was 8 AM. We took our Innova as we were 6 of us. Maa also joined us when we were getting ready in the morning. So, we were Deepshree, Riya, Maa, Ujwala, Bhavitha and I on our way to Hogenakkal.
We first filled Diesel near our house and started our journey.
The Google Map suggested that we should reach Hogenakkal in 2 hours 30 minutes. However, we took nearly 6 hours to reach Hogenakkal.
We drove down Hosur Road Flyover. Paid the toll of Rs. 70 for a 2-way pass. Then, drove along till Tamil Nadu-Karnataka border. Here again we paid toll of Rs. 40 for a 2-way pass. Then we drove towards Hosur town.
The Google Map suggested that we should take a diversion to the right at Attibele. However, we missed it as there was a huge truck to our right.
We drove on looking for a U-turn. However, we have to drive nearly 7 KM before we could find a way to take a U-turn. We drove back to that junction. It was already about 10 AM at this time. So, we stopped at A2B for breakfast. We also had to take our Diabetes medicines.
We had Idli, Puri, Pongal and Upma for breakfast. Bhavitha and Riya also had an Ice Cream.
After breakfast, we started on our way to Hogenakkal. This time we took the turn at Attibele and were on track.
Now, we were driving on a single road. The road is just 2 lanes and with vehicles moving on both sides. Also, we were passing through a series of villages. So, there were lots of people and cattle on the road. So, our progress was very slow.
After driving for about an hour, we came to the Ghat section. Here, the road was through the hills. There were a lot of sharp turns on the way. So, I had to drive very carefully.
We drove for nearly one hour through the Ghat Section. All of a sudden, we could see the Kaveri River. As we closed in, we saw some cars parked on the road and people on the banks of the River Kaveri. So, we stopped our car and got down. We walked down to the banks of River Kaveri.
This place is extremely dirty. A lot of people were drinking alcohol and swimming in the River here. So, after a little while, we came back to the car and drove on to Hogenakkal.
Soon, we reached a gate where we had to pay Rs. 50 as parking fees. We were told that we were in Hogenakkal. We drove for another 15 minutes to reach the Hogenakkal Waterfalls.
We reached Hogenakkal at about 2 PM.
We were looking for a place to park our car when one local told us to drive to Hotel Tamil Nadu, where we could find a parking place. So, we did that. We had to pay Rs. 50 for parking in Hotel Tamil Nadu.
After we had parked our car, one person came and explained to Deepshree how we could see the Water Falls. We had to hire a “Tappa”.
“Tappa” is a boat that is used at Hogenakkal.
Each Tappa can carry 4 people. As we were 6 of us, we had to hire 2 Tappas. The guide showed us to the counter from where we had to buy the tickets for the Tappa.
I paid Rs. 750 each for 2 Tappas.
Once we had paid for the Tappas, we had to wait to get our Life Jackets.
It is quite difficult to get into the Tappa as it is very unstable. Especially, Maa had a very tough time. Nevertheless, we managed.
The Tappa took us a little distance and asked us to get down. So, we got down from the Tappa. Then they asked us to walk along a path where the Tappa would pick us up again.
We walked down about 150 meters to reach a spot where we had to board the Tappa again. Here there are steep stairs. Maa had quite a bit of difficulty getting down these stair. However, we all managed.
Again, we boarded the Tappas. Ujwala, Riya and Bhavitha were on one Tappa. While Maa, Deepshree and I were on the other Tappa.
The Tappa took us to the Hogenakkal Waterfall this time.
From the Waterfalls, our Tappas took us for boating on the Kaveri River. Before that one of Tappa driver gave Ujwala, Bhavitha and Riya a real spin.
It is important to carry one extra set of clothes. This is because the Trousers get completely wet sitting in the Tappa.
Our Tappa driver took us to a place where they were selling Fish Fry. These are fresh River Fish. I bought 8 pieces for Rs. 200. They were very tasty.
Again, we had to walk after the Tappa dropped us. Again, the Tappa drivers carried the Tappas. We again boarded the Tappa to return to the Tappa boarding station.
I paid Rs. 250 each to the 2 Tappa drivers.
It was nearly 4 PM by the time we were back.
We were extremely hungry by now. So, we went to a Hotel near the Gate. We had Sambhar Rice. They also gave some Potato Fry and Pappad.
As it was nearly 5 PM by the time we started, I did not want to drive back the way we had come to Hogenakkal. This was because it would driving through the Ghat in the night. So, we took the much longer road through Dharmapuri.
My decision was very good. We had to drive through the Ghat for about 35 KM before we reached Dharmapuri. From Dharmapuri, we were on National Highway number 44 which is a 6 lane highway.
However, the highway was full of traffic. Also, there were huge number of heavy lorries on the road. I had to drive very carefully though I was driving at about 80 KMPH.
The scenery around the road is pretty good.
When we reached Dharmapuri, we wanted to stop for having some Tea. However, we could not find anything till we reached Krishnagiri town.
This hotel is right after the Krishnagiri Toll Plaza. I had to pay Rs. 65 at this Toll Plaza for a one-way pass.
We drove back at a brisk pace and reached the Electronic City in Bangalore. Then, we faced a huge traffic jam. By the time, we passed through the traffic jam and reached hime it was 10:00 PM. I ordered food from the Chinese Hotel next to our apartment. They delivered the food. We all took bath and ate food and slept.
Lovely photos–thank you for sharing!
Thanks a lot!!!