Hogenakal Falls
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Image:Arun image38.jpg Hogenakal Falls | |
| Location | near Dharmapuri |
|---|---|
| Height of longest drop | 20 m |
Hogenakal Falls (Tamil:ஒக்கேனக்கல்; Kannada: ಹೊಗೆನಕಲ್), in Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu state along the border with Karnataka, is one of the beautiful waterfalls in southern India on the Kaveri River. It is located 46 km from Dharmapuri and 150 km from Bangalore.[1]. The name Hogenakal is derived from Kannada. It means smoky rocks in Kannada. When the water falls on the rocks it looks as if smoke is emanating from the rocks because of the force of the water. Hoge in Kannada means smoke and Kal means rock thus giving the name Hogenakal aptly to the place.[1]
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[edit] The river
The Kaveri River origninates as a small stream in the highlands of Karnataka and gathers momentum as the land drops in elevation. It becomes larger as various tributaries feed into it on the way down. At Hogenakal, the Kaveri, now a large river, drops into the low elevation of Tamil Nadu 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.[1] The Kaveri flows on through Tamil Nadu's forested valley of tall trees, continually splitting and re-integrating around rocks and outcrops of boulders and little islands. The river carries sediment which makes the "down-river" land fertile.
At Hogenakal the river spreads out over a wide area of sandy beaches, then flows through a straight but narrow ravine near Salem where the Mettur Dam creates a 60 sq mi. lake called Stanley Reservoir. Built in 1934, this project improved irrigation and provided hydropower.[2]
[edit] Bathing
Before reaching Hogenakal, the river flows through a forest which contains herbs that are traditionally believed to enhance health, making bathing in these waters curative. Hogenakal 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.
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b c Dharmapuri district - places of interest. tamilnadutorism.org. Retrieved on 2006-11-11.
- ^ Cauvery River in Southern India. cauvery.com. Retrieved on 2006-11-11.
[edit] External links
| The River Kaveri | |
| Dams |
Banasura Sagar Dam | Bangara Doddi Nala | Grand Anicut | Krishna Raja Sagara Dam | Madadkatte | Mettur Dam | Stanley Reservoir |
| Tributaries |
Amaravati River |
Arkavathy River |
Bhavani River |
Hemavati River |
Honnuhole River |
Kabini River | |
| Cities and Towns |
Karikal | Kodagu | Kollidam | Kushalanagara | Nagapattinam | Poompuhar | Sivasamudram | Srirangam | Srirangapatna | Talakad | Talakaveri | Thanjavur | Tiruchirapalli |
| Physical Features |
Bay of Bengal | Deccan plateau | Hogenakal Falls | Sivasamudram Falls | Western Ghats |
| Riparian States and Union Territories |
Karnataka | Kerala | Pondicherry | Tamil Nadu |
