Drive to Hogenakkal Falls

Hogenakkal falls is located Tamil Nadu, about 40 km from Dharmapuri and 180 - 200 km from Bangalore, depending on the route you choose. This spot rose to fame when it was pictured in the '90s movie "Roja". Tourists flock to this spot every weekend, many from Bangalore, as the drive to the place is an absolute treat to the petrolheads. Winter is the best season to go there apparently.

Planning

This was an impulsive trip, with very little planned, I just wanted to have a road trip. Just looked up the route on google maps and drove down to the place. There are a few alternatives to the route itself, but I chose the one with the best road. Though Google says its 160 km, the odometer ran to 194 km on this route.

View Driving directions to Hogenakkal Falls, Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu, India in a larger map

There are few pit stop points along the way, and since I was cruising in top gear I didn't feel like stopping. We got stuck in a 30 min traffic stall at Hosur, but it was smooth sailing after that. You can reach top speed and maintain it without breaking a sweat. Trucks and fellow car drivers maintain good discipline on this stretch and stick to proper lanes.

There are 3 toll booths on this route. One for the elevated highway till Electronics city, second near the Karnataka border, and one more mid way. You just need to follow the sign boards for directions, no critical points as such. The drive takes around 3 - 3.5 hours at 100 - 110 kmph cruising speed.

We returned in the evening retracing the same route. Return took longer as it started raining, and traffic inside Bangalore was crazy.

The place

The waterfall is scenic, with mist rising up through the gorge it gives the visual effect of smoke - and hence the name. I managed to get only few pictures as the spray is too much; was worried it'll damage the cam.

I didn't like how the locals use the same river upstream as a dobhi-ghat. Also people have oil bath etc. right there. I was put off from getting into the water due to this.

You can take a coracle rides in the gorge and look at the location of the Roja film shot. The gorge apparently gets filled during monsoon and the waterfall doesn't exist during that period.

Food here is an issue if you are a vegetarian. The TN tourism restaurant is the only decent place I found. You get fish aplenty though. 

Overall, its a decent place to visit. A good weekend getaway from Bangalore, especially if you like to drive. 





Comments

  1. UnknownJune 30, 2013 at 3:55 PM

    Savandurga you visit . It is better .how do you travel ?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Abhijith KashyapJune 30, 2013 at 5:17 PM

    I've visited Savandurga. Travel by car mostly.
    BTW, whoever you are, your ID shows up as Unknown :P

    ReplyDelete

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