Hogenakkal is a place in Dharmapuri, where the Cauvery River enters Tamil Nadu. It is regarded as the chief picnic spot in Dharmapuri. This most beautiful place in the state of Tamil Nadu is full of picturesque scenes.
At this point in Hogenakkal, the broad stream of the river Cauvery gets forked. It forms an island from where one stream continues and plunges into a deep gorge to create a lovely waterfall. The spray of this waterfall raises clouds of droplets, which looks like a smoke, hence this place is known as Hogenakkal (Hoge means smoke and Kal means rock) i, e, smoking rock.
The Cauvery river flows in a particular narrow gorge so narrow that it could be easily leapt by a goat. Therefore, that place in Hogenakkal is called Meka Dhattu (Goat`s leap). Taking a bath in this fall is considered good for health as the water of Cauvery flows through a herbal forest before it reaches Hogenakkal. So, numerous people come here everyday to have bath in river. A bath after a malish with oil (smearing of oil) is very refreshing. The malish experts are available here minting money.
The parisal is a round basket like boats, which are availed by the visitors to feel the thrill of adventure in the river here in Hogenakkal. It is a perfect holiday spot and one can take the best of it by taking long walks and treks.