We planned for a long trip over the year-end Christmas holidays. As a group, 3 families set out the Christmas weekend. We started in a Temp Traveller and a car on the early hours of Saturday from Chennai to our first location - Hogenakkal. We took the Krishnagiri route to Hogenakkal at 5 AM and reached there around 12 PM. Had a halt at Hotel Alankar near Ranipet for breakfast. We have been to this restaurant earlier too, they maintain the same good taste. On that day, the restaurant was flooded and we were allowed inside in a queue after giving your names and count beforehand. There are around 20 vehicles outside in the parking giving us a glimpse of just how many of us have hit the road for the holidays.
After reaching Hokkenakkal, we had pay Rs.50 to drive up the hill and park the vehicle. But the Parking lot near the bus stand up in the hill was quite far away from the waterfalls. So we discussed with the locals and went to another paid parking area. This is beyond the Tamilnadu Tourism complex. From here we had to walk for 5 minutes to reach the water falls entrance area. Near the counter for waterfalls we were intercepted by people offering to cook local fish food. Went with them to choose fish and order food. Then took the entrance ticket and for the coracle ride in the water.
We hired 3 coracles and set forth for our ride. Numerous coracles can be seen resting along the corridor. In the first leg of the ride we had to go in the coracle for just 2-3 minutes and then walked through steps through slopes and climb down steep steps like towards a pond. Meanwhile our coracle men carried the coracles to that part and picked us up for the remaining part of the ride. From here, the ride was just splendid. At a time we could see a hundred of coracles sailing in water with tourists. The sailing was happening in a creek surrounded and rocky hills. Water seem to go up to that level when the Cauvery overflows in the rainy season. Caves could be seen around as well.
As we had talked our boatman, he took to specific parts of the falls. At one spot we were taken quiet near the water fall and could hear everyone screaming due to excitement. The boatman put the coracle in circular motion, taking the excitement a notch higher. Further ride took us to a sand bank. We were allowed to get out here and keep our feet in the running water. This was fun time, we enjoyed as a group, getting ourselves wet. After spending some quality time here our boatmen took us back and left us at a spot.
At this spot was a waterfall which was sparsely crowded. We had to walk in water for 50 meters and take a right to the waterfall. It had a step and steep down step to get to the waterfall which was falling heavily. Standing below that was like getting beating. From here we walked over the slopes to reach the small final leg which we started. Coracles there picked us and dropped to the entrance area from where we went to the dress change are to change into dry clothes. Beyond was our dinning area. Food was ready to be served at 4PM, as ordered earlier. Fish fry, fish gravy, rice and rasam was just one would want after a strenuous trip to the water falls.
It got dark by the time we completed our dinner. Locals around said, drive through the forest at this time towards Mysuru is risky. But we had to take that route only as the alternate route would take 3 times more distance to cover. With the Tempo traveller going in front, the car followed. With google map for guidance, we took the forest path. Data connection on the way was not available through out making things difficult. We drove in 60 km/hr speed and crossed the forest area safely. At 10:30 PM we were still some 50 kms away from Mysuru. So found Saviruchi hotel on the way and took rooms there for the night.
Comments