It is tough to imagine that this beautiful site, 190 kms away from Bangalore, is the cause of the present dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Several people surround us as we try to get out of our cars to catch a better glimpse of the famous waterfall. "Do you want a boat ride sir? One hour for just Rs 500", "Want a head massage sir," we are asked as we wonder if we are actually at the controversial site.

In Hogenakkal, it is business as usual. Aarmugam, our boatman, tells us, "It is all political sir. I have my lunch with the boatmen from Karnataka every day. We do not have a problem. I really don't know why these people are making such a big issue out of the water problem. There was never a problem regarding water over here. Yes I know about a land dispute. But that has been going on for many years now and we have even stopped bothering about it."
Image: The majestic Hogenakkal waterfall.