Picturesque Agumbe

 

• Agumbe  is a beautiful hill station located atop the western ghats, just 50 kms from Manipal, the world class educational hub on the coastal belt of State of Karnataka.Agumbe, well known as Chirapunji of south, is an ecological hot spot on the world map. The small town was historically significant as the only link  between the east and west part of western  ghats till the 60s and 70s. There used to be mini taxi services to ply the passengers up and down the ghats. The famous bus company was MGTS ( Motor gadi transport services ), the garrage of the bus company was later converted in to S.V.S High school after DR.T.M.A.Pai, Registrar of The Academy of General Education, Manipal,purchased the property to run the school.
• Then the transformation happened. The formation of highways on the coast paved way as a direct link to Mumbai & other important cities. Passengers crowd in Agumbe started diminishing, as the taxis and mini busses started plying between Shimoga & udupi.. Agumbe lost its charm of being an important business centre. The old work horse -taxi service was replaced with mini busses. The exciting ghats beckoned the new breed of travelers and businessmen. The Sharp hair pin curves leading the upward journey to the top of the hills at an elevation of 2000 ft, and the famous sunset view platform at Agumbe, provided nerve tingling experience to the enthusiastic traveler. Hence the new era has dawned in the little village of Agumbe.
• An ever green rain forest is every biologists dream. The thick forest of thousands of varieties of flora and fauna encircles the sleepy little town of Agumbe. Its ambience is reinforced by a stretch of ambulating road, quaint shops; small houses with charming facades add an air of warmth and simplicity to the village.
• This picturesque hill-station, oozing old-world charm paves the way for the discerning traveler to take a detour in to the surrounding forests covered with wild flowers, flame of the forest, natural herbs, tall rain trees. In summer and winter, it is a popular hub for bird-watchers and trekkers.
• It offers a getaway for adventure seeking tourists who look forward to walking trails, hill  climbing, nature walks and a pollution free environment.
• Excellent climatic conditions throughout the year in summer (March-May) temperature ranging between 25°to 32° and in winters (October-February) ranging between 10°to 20°.
• Monsoon time ( June – September) is to be experienced only in Agumbe. With all its fury, the sheet of rain envelops the village for days together, providing a brief respite intermittently for a few hours. The mist filled days brings normal life to stand still, with silent prayers in every lips to give a welcome break from nature’s fury. Yet, the divine beauty of the nature provides you with a rare philosophical insight, as to how fragile we are, when confronted with nature with all its might. You humbly submit yourself to mother nature. And she plays a true signature tune of the creator alerting the les miserables !
• This was the village where the classic serial “Malgudi days” based on the famous novel by Late R.K.Narayan and directed by the dynamic actor and director Late.Shankernag. was filmed.
•  Agumbe has number of trekking trails which are available from Agumbe all through the seasons.