Agumbe, the Cherrapunjee of South India

At more than 2000 feet above sea level, Agumbe in the Shimoga district of Karnataka is known as the 'Cherrapunjee of South India' thanks to the rainfall of 7620mm it gets annually. For the past few years, rain-lovers from Kerala have been frequenting Agumbe making it a major monsoon destination in South India. The rain here has many hues and tones and it often comes abruptly.

Agumbe is a small village in the Thirthahalli Taluka of Shimoga district. It has a small bus-stand, a hotel, a grocery shop and a few tiny tiled houses. The lone big building here is the Mallya's Lodge which, apart from a few homestays, is the only place here for the travellers. Udupi is the nearest hub. Agumbe can be easily reached by private buses plying between Udupi and Shimoga. The driver needs to be really skilful to negotiate the narrow roads passing by tiny villages.

The sunset view in Agumbe is as popular as its rain. The sunset viewpoint is usually crowded. During monsoon, it gets quite cloudy. Yet, there are many picturesque locations around here. The Jogigundi falls nearby is a place of interest. The Sringeri Sarada Temple at 28km is also a place worth a visit. The Koodlu Waterfall about 25km from Agumbe is a good destination for the adventure-seekers and trekkers.

The Kunda Hills (Kundadri), 17 km away is a nearby attraction. There is an ancient Jain Temple there. There are two ponds adjacent to the temple. From the viewpoint to the right of the temple, the Agumbe village and the adjoining farmlands can be seen through the intermittent drizzle.

The ninth century Kavaledurga Fort, about 51 km from Agumbe can be reached by trekking some distance off the main road. The old fort was restored to the present condition by Venkatappa Nayaka in the 16th-17th century. The relics of the old fort are still seen here.

Most parts of the famous television serial 'Malgudi Days' based on the short stories of R K Narayanan was shot at Agumbe. Dodda Mane, the ancestral house by the main junction here of one Kasturi Akka featured prominently in the serial. This is now a homestay.

A visit to Agumbe with its green and serene surroundings and with its rain will be a memorable experience.

The nearest airport to Agumbe is Mangalore at 108km. Udupi at 55km is the nearest railway station. There are regular bus services to Agumbe from Udupi, Shimoga, Mangalore, and Sringeri.