The humble topali boat takes on India’s Niagara Falls

MiD DAY photographer Sameer Markande and his Nikon D-200 take a trip to feel the healing touch of Tamil Nadu's Hogenakal Falls. The whole idea is to 'go round in circles'

The humble topali boat takes on India's Niagara Falls

MiD DAY photographer Sameer Markande and his Nikon D-200 take a trip to feel the healing touch of Tamil Nadu's Hogenakal Falls. The whole idea is to 'go round in circles'

This story takes place at the Hogenakal Falls located in the Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu, about 180 km from Bengaluru. Hogenakkal is located 750 feet above sea level amid the Melagiri Hills. David is the topali, a saucer bowl that's seven-feet in diameter, and has been challenging the torrents of Hogenakal Falls, or in this case, Goliath, for centuries.

The topali boat is constructed from bamboo carefully woven to lend it strength and balance. Before plastic took its place, the boats would use animal hides for waterproofing along with a layer of tar. The local boatman takes you for a two-hour ride (R 100) in the Kaveri River and do all the rowing while you take in the misty heavens that give way to a velvety green hill range.

Locals call it 'India's Niagara Falls' and are convinced of the water's healing powers. Smoky clouds rise as the waters of the Kaveri dive off a 100-feet cliff into a waterfall that thunders as it crashes on rocks below. The healing powers are a consequence of Carbonite rocks found at the site, considered the oldest of its kind in South Asia.

The falls, located near the border of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, are a popular stop for foreign tourists and are often frequented by local devotees from Tirupati, four hours away. You can watch local fishermen as they get their big catch of the day, before you have a meal made with traditional masalas by the women.

Monsoon is everyone's favourite season to visit the falls. Share the cool waters with plenty of others at the state's most popular family picnic destination. If you'd like to spend the night there, your options include Hotel Tamil Nadu and a bungalow run by the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation.

Fast facts
Altitude: 750 m
Weather: Smoky clouds drift off the waterfall, it is cool throughout the year
Cost: R 100 for a two-hour boat ride

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