Got an opportunity of a lifetime to visit Thirthahalli a rain forest region in Karnataka popularly known as Malenadu(Rainfall region) in Shivamogga District in the state of Karnataka, south of India. malenadu covers the western and eastern slopes of Western Ghats or Sahyadri Mountain ranges. This region is known for its abundant rainfall, green forests, Ghats, waterfalls, rivers and rapids , Flora and Fauna. It is home to the majestic Jog Falls in Shivamogga.

The time was December 2014 and the occasion to usher in my birthday with my entire maternal family. Weather was dreamy Misty mornings and Chilly nights, clean unpolluted air filling my lungs with every breath, Silence of the forests broken by chirping of birds& insects, greenery and plantations with cool crystal clear water of river Tunga and its sandy beach completing the picture perfect setting for a winter break.

We stayed in this beautiful place called Vihangama Holiday Retreat just a handful of rooms ensuring there is no crowd and a huge estate of betelnut and pepper plantations with other flowering plants , bamboo plantations and other greens. A lush lawn welcoming each quaint cottage rooms. The property is situated on the banks of river Tunga. It was both rustic in its untouched surroundings and modern in amenities.

Have visited Scotland and few others places in UK, but still felt our India is really so beautiful. Thirthahalli is a befitting testimony of the same with its Sprawling green cover, quaint sloping roof houses, Farm plantations and Paddy fields and forest areas and rivers.

After we checked in here we started out for some beautiful places around this region. The serene and evergreen Shettihalli forest reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary.

Shettihalli Wildlife sanctuary houses mammals like Tiger, Leopard, Wild Dog, Jackal, Gaur, Elephant, Sloth Bear Sambar, Spotted Deer, Wild Pig, Common Langur, Bonnet Macaque, Common Mongoose, Striped-necked Mongoose, Porcupine, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Giant Flying Squirrel and Pangolin.

Python, cobra King Cobra rat snake and Marsh Ccrocodile are among the reptiles found in the sanctuary.

Birds include Hornbills, Kingfishers, Bulbuls, Parakeets, Doves, Pigeons, Babblers, Flycatchers, Munias, Swallows, Woodpeckers, Peafowl, Jungle fowl and Partridges.

Best season to visit Shettihalli Wildlife sanctuary is between November and January. For more details you can chk : http://www.karnatakaholidays.com/shettihalli-wildlife-sanctuary.php

We also visited the Sakrebailu Elephant Camp and Tyavarekoppa Wild life sanctuary , The Tyavarekoppa Wild Sanctuary boasts of housing Tigers, Lions, Leopards, Black Panther, Sloth Bear, Ostriches, Emu etc. Most of the tigers were twins named beautifully as Lav-Kush, Bharat- Lakshman etc. A ferocious lioness Manini and Lion Arya and their cub Manya spared no efforts to make us feel welcome with their Roars !! Few amazing pics captured 🙂 . 

The plantations around the Gajanur Dam reservoir/back waters were a treat to the eyes with their amazing shapes and sizes and birds perched on them.

We also visisted the temple towns of Shringeri and Mahishi.

A wonderful 3 days well spent and well experienced. A Must visit to all those nature lovers, wildlife lovers and some one looking for break in middle of forest. 

P.S. No mobile network connectivity in this Resort. A welcome break from internet and social network, A pure unadulterated nature experience.