Time : Aug 15th 2013; 7 AM - 12 PM
Friends: Anshu, Sumit on two Pulsar's
Srikanth, Kiran & Me on Bus
My Hyderabad friends(previous colleagues) who came for client work in Bangalore gathered in my room and we planned to visit Hogenakkal falls. We have to go by bus, as we don't have any vehicle at that time. I told same to my Bangalore friends to include them. Anshu and his friend decided to come by two bikes, but now we are total 5 members, so we three decided to go by BUS only.
Since it is Independence holiday, all roads are empty. Morning 7 AM, we went to Santhinagar bus stand and inquired about bus routes to Hogenakkal. Anshu & his friends confirmed that they will start little late. It took nearly 3 hrs to reach Dharmapuri cross, from where we have to take a private bus to Hogenakkal which is about 1:30 hr journey through ghat roads. Frequency of private bus is very low and full rush. After some 30 mins of waiting, finally got into a private bus.
Ghat road journey in a private local bus is really scary. Driver doesn't even using brakes at corners and going too rash, but no one is asking...looks like its common in this road. Finally reached the Hogenakkal bus stand at 12 PM (bus stand is in walkable distance to falls entrance). The entire place is heavily crowded, looks like one of the best tourist spot in Tamilnadu. Anshu and his friends are on the way, and meantime we have decided to finish lunch after a quick roundup of entire place.
There are many seafood stalls and by looking at them it so much mouth watering. Had rice and fish fry; it was so tasty, price also reasonable. We finished lunch but still Anshu not reached yet. We went inside and time passed at the crocodile cages. Body massage is famous here, many villagers taking it and then bathing in the Kaveri river, but we feel it's kind of disgusting. Kaveri river is so widespread and moderate force due to the many huge trees. We took many photos around the river banks by walking in and around the places.
Anshu and his friend came at 3 PM, and quickly we all rushed to the main falls. But main falls is not allowed due to heavy stream, so they take us in a Coracles boat (200/- per head) to the mini rock structures where we can enjoy the mini/moderate water streams. By the time we reached the mini streams, its already 4 PM. Boat man gave us 20 mins to enjoy and he went away to have a drink, yes there are few hawkers who selling Alcohol un-officially.
The place where we landed is really beautiful and wanted to stay forever. We went further inside where medium water force is there. We couldn't resist and got down into the water fully. After some time, our Boat man searching for us and shouting. When we look at the time, it was close to 5:30 PM, we were there for 1:30 hrs and sun is about to hide. The Boat man was drunk and shouting at us for late, but we didn't care him and returned back to the entrance.
Time is already 6 PM and it's started raining heavily. Anshu and his friend left on bikes in the rain itself as they were already wet. Since we have to go by bus, we have changed the dress and rushed to the bus stand in raining itself, but we got drenched again. Bus started quickly and inquired about the best way to go to Bangalore, conductor suggested us to go Dharmapuri bus stand, so that we can get many buses and also we can safely wait even if it rains. Reached Dharmapuri bus stand and next bus to Bangalore is at 8:30 PM, so we finished dinner quickly and got into the bus.
We are exhausted so much for the day and slept in the bus. Got down at Silk board by 11 PM and in some company cab reached home by 11:30 PM. Anshu and his friend too had a safe night journey in a ghat road while raining; they both reached home by 9 PM. That's how the Independence day really brought the Independence for us.
Kaveri banks:
Coracles ride to water streams:
Me in Coracles boat:
Jump Jump boat is sinking...nah nothing to worry...its just a small leak.
Boat man dropped us here:
Kiran, Srikanth and Sumit:
Me going deep into rocks:
We found some beautiful spots deep inside:
No No I am not skidding, just enjoying the adrenaline rush:
Sumit & Anshu enjoying their part:
Sumit, Srkanth, Anshu & me in an epic movement:
