The 15 km descent from Pennagaram to Hogenakkal snakes through very interesting terrain. In these lands, one can see villages with lush fields of mulberry, fodder for busy silkworms, and the broad-leaved though often scraggy castor. On the outskirts of the rural settlements en route are their fascinating guardian deities, often referred to as Iyanars. Made of terracotta or plastered brick, these giant figures are brightly colored and generally depict fearsome and mustachioed warriors. But exceptions to this excessively macho rule are also seen at some places. As the scrub-covered slopes give way to thickets of thorny vegetation and then, almost imperceptibly, when tall trees began to rise, the air reverberates, with the soft roar of running water becoming more and more assertive as one reaches lower and lower.
At the bottom of the valley, the Cauvery tributaries spread in a blue and shimmering web. They gurgle, shimmer, some hardly more than exposed rocks, and large rocky stretches where old trees grew. Women in bright saris bathe, or wash clothes in the running water. The spa-hamlet rises off the road-a scatter of shacks and buildings, staggering up the slopes of the valley, gazing down at the water-woods on the other side of the road. It has the character of a village struggling to become a town, a little tatty in patches, not yet chrome glass-and-polish, still retaining much of its truly rural charm. Often referred to as basket-boats, the circular vessels called Coracles have bamboo frames covered in either black plastic or buffalo hide. They wait like black mushrooms, propped against trees or upturned on the banks of the river. When the river is in spate, all the dark rocks are submerged, but if one goes there in February, which is among the most favored months to visit this riverine spa, there should not be any problem. Coracles are among the oldest types of watercraft in the world, and among the most successful-a reassuring thought when one is floating in these saucer-like-devices.
The Hogenakkal Waterfall is the main highlight of the place. And a trip to Hogenakkal revolves around the fall and the river. The Hogenakkal Waterfall is often called the Niagara Falls of India. Waterfalls here fall from a height of 60 to 1000 ft. A boat ride here is a thrilling activity and a good way to get a slice of adventure. Rides are taken on the coracles, the round small boats that are locally known as parisals. These are made from watertight hides stretched over lightweight wicker frames. It is a spectacular experience. And don’t be surprised when a boatman asks you for Rs. 500 to take you on a coracle ride. Heavy bargaining is recommended. Another exciting attraction at Hogenakkal Waterfalls is the diving skills of local kids, who would dive for a fee. They can dive from a height of around 30 feet and climb straight up back on the rocks in no time. And the fee can range from 5 to 10 rupees.
The spot comes alive especially in July-August. A huge weekly fair is held in the nearby village of Pennagaram. Theerthamalai, a popular pilgrim centre 16 km from Dharmapuri is another interesting place that you can visit. At Hogenakkal, the Kaveri River enters the plains and the river dashing against the rocks is a great sight. The river,here flows through a wooded valley, splitting and merging and splitting again around rocks, and lil islands with towering trees, and boulder- strewn out crops, which are covered only when the river is in spate with the rains of the monsoon.
This riverside spa is famous for coracles, masseurs and roaring waters. The sound of the Kaveri River,roaring between rocky banks, is a constant presence in most places in Hogenakkal.
The spot comes alive especially in July-August. A huge weekly fair is held in the nearby village of Pennagaram. Theerthamalai, a popular pilgrim centre 16 km from Dharmapuri is another interesting place that you can visit. At Hogenakkal, the Kaveri River enters the plains and the river dashing against the rocks is a great sight. The river,here flows through a wooded valley, splitting and merging and splitting again around rocks, and lil islands with towering trees, and boulder- strewn out crops, which are covered only when the river is in spate with the rains of the monsoon.
This riverside spa is famous for coracles, masseurs and roaring waters. The sound of the Kaveri River,roaring between rocky banks, is a constant presence in most places in Hogenakkal.
Theerthamalai: Theerthamalai is a popular pigrim centre and it is 16 k.m. from Harur in Dharmapuri district. This pilgrim and picnic centre becoming very popular with the public. The temple situated about one k.m up the steep slope of a hillock derives that its name from the five springs in the temple. Lord Theerthagireeswar (Lord Shiva) is the worshipping deity. According to the legend it was here that Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva to absolve himself of the sin of having killed several demons in the war against Ravana. Hence there is belief that a holy dip in the waters of this spring will wipe out the sins committed by the people.
According to the legend, in order to worship to Lord Shiva, Rama sent Hanuman to fetch water from the River Ganga, but when Hanuman did not return at the appointed time for pooja, Rama unleashed an arrow onto the rocky slope of the hillock and water sprang forth, which today is called Rama Theertham. The tiny waterfall drops from a height of about 30 feet is perennial and during the summer as well as the rainy season the water falls on the bathing ghat behind the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. The other Theertham, all of which have their origin in different parts of the rocky surface, are the Agasthya Theertham, AgniTheertham. Kumara Theertham and the Gouri Theertham, besides these four Theerthams the Hanuman Theertham is situated about 16km from the main temple on the banks of river South Pennar. This too is also closely associated with the temple. It is stated that when Hanuman returned with the water from the Ganga, he found that Rama had brought the Ganga water with his arrow. He then threw away in anger the vessel containing the Ganga water. This water fell onto the riverbank. Hanuman Theertham also is a very holy place. During summer even when the river is dry there will be sweet water in the spring that flows from rock in the riverbed. The waters of the Theerthamalai are supposed to have medicinal values too. It may be mentioned that Theerthamalai has huge reserves of magnetite iron ore that can be utilized for the Salem Steel Plant.
Several Inscriptions can be found in the Theerthagireeswarar Temple. They relate to the Vijayanagar and Chola rulers. There is one inscription in ancient Telugu and Kannada. Poet Saint Arunagirinathar referred to the Temple of Theerthagirieeswarar in his compositions. The Mandapam near the sanctum sanctorum is supposed to be built by Sila Naicken. He is said to have maintained a well-fortified garrison at the top of the hill from where a commanding view of the surroundings can be on all sides is available.
There is another spring known as Vashista Theertham higher up in the hill. Close by are the wonderful granite pieces of Saptha kanyakas. The beauty of these sculptures is that they can be viewed only through a very narrow crevice in the rock. The nine-day annual festival at the Temple is in the month of March. The main festival is held at the Shiva temple at the foot of Theerthamalai.
