February in Hogenakkal is the dry-season low. Daytime 28-32C, nights 20-21C, humidity 55 percent, rainfall under 20mm. The Cauvery river drops to 20 percent of post-monsoon peak. Mettur dam upstream releases water for irrigation but at metered low rates. The Hogenakkal falls — the river dropping through a narrow gorge across a series of rock-face cascades — reduce to a thin stream across a few rock chutes; the multi-channel Niagara-style spread that gives Hogenakkal its tagline does not exist this month. Coracle (parisal) rides at ₹150-300 still operate; the boatmen pole through the depleted gorge but the encircling-the-falls routes that define the experience are non-functional. The 2,000-year-old oil massage tradition continues at the river-side ghat — ₹300-800 per session. River-bath at ₹50 still happens at the diminished flow points. Stay limited — TTDC Tamil Nadu Tourism Hotel ₹800-1,500, riverside lodges ₹500-1,200. Day-trip from Bangalore (180km) the more common pattern. The trip-defining "India's Niagara" experience requires July-November flow. Skip — push to July.

Why February scores 2.0/10