A riverside small village located in Tamil Nadu, Hogenakkal means 'smoky rocks'. The beauty of the destination largely stems from the Kaveri River, which enters Tamil Nadu as a big river, and flows from here as natural falls. Formed by a series of falls, Hogenakkal Waterfalls is the most popular attraction of the destination.
The falls result from broad stream of the Kaveri River that gets forked at this point, forming an island. The resultant stream plunges into a deep chasm to create the beautiful waterfalls. Due to the widely grown herbal plants in the nearby areas, the water of the river is said to possess curative powers.
Hogenakkal Waterfalls make a vertical drop from the height of 20 metres with the thundering sound, which provides the place an alluring appeal. Abounding with natural beauty, the area near the falls is inundated with a rich floral system, tall trees and thorny vegetation.
Melagiri Hills located in close proximity of the destination also attracts tourists. Located on the Eastern Ghats, these hill ranges are home to dry deciduous and semi-evergreen forests. Spanning an area of 1,295 square kilometres, the hill ranges provide abode to leopard, dhole, sloth bear, marsh crocodile, jackal, and elephants.
Within its mixed vegetation, chital, gaur, sambar, grizzled giant squirrel, four horned antelope, panther, crocodiles, mouse deer, and python also find inhabitation. In these hill ranges are also found grey-headed fish eagle, brown fish owl, changeable hawk eagle, peacock, plain flowerpecker and other birds.
At Pennagram Village, tourists can view brightly coloured giant terracotta statues that are known as Aiyanars. Theerthamalai Temple is thronged by pilgrims during the celebrations of the Mahashivarathiri, one of the most auspicious days of the Hindu calendar. One of the most respected temples of the Chola and the Vijayanagara Kings, the temple is located in Dharmapuri District.
