Hogenakkal Falls

Hogenakkal Falls is a cascade in Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu, India, where the Kaveri River flows over dark carbonatite rock. The water splits into several parallel streams that shift from narrow trickles to wide curtains depending on the season.

The waterfall appears in ancient Sangam Literature as Thalaineer aruvi, pointing to early Tamil references. The area belonged to the Mysore Kingdom between 1652 and 1768 before coming under the administration of the British East India Company.

Cormorant fishers work the calm stretches downstream, using hand-thrown nets in methods passed down for centuries. Vendors offer freshly prepared fish directly along the riverbanks, often grilled over open coals, while families sit on flat stones to eat.

The falls are best seen during monsoon season between June and September when the Kaveri runs fullest. Stone pathways lead to different viewpoints, but the rocks can be slippery when wet.

The carbonatite rocks here rank among the oldest geological structures in South Asia and form sharp edges that cut the water into uncommon patterns. Some of the rocks glow faintly reddish when wet, due to traces of rare minerals in the composition.