Western Ghats, never thought off never cared for…now suddenly is the cynosure of our eyes especially after named as one of the UNESCO Heritages. Stretching across the western coast of India from the state of Dry Gujarat until the state of evergreen Kerala. Truly a paradise and a hot spot for one and all including the typical homo sapiens.

AgumLand5

Scrolling through our school history books I’m sure you would recall, the great Kalinga Battle,  The great Maurya dynasty Emperor, Ashoka, The Chola Invasions, well and many many more. Well for starters, the Kalinga region is generally defined as the eastern coastal region between the Mahanadi and the Godavari rivers. However, its exact boundaries have fluctuated at various times in the history. The Kalingas were great warriors and have been mentioned in the epic “Mahabharata” as well and were lead by their Maurya Dynasty Emperor, Ashoka and then subsequently by many other dynasties and leaders.

They stands as tall as 6 feet and average at about 15-18 feet in length.  Jet black with a yellowish underbelly, injects absolutely lethal neurotoxins, builds a nest for her young and has the only hissing growl, well they are the infamous King Cobras. often mistaken for the usual rat snakes or even the Cobras, Kings are endemic to India and South East Asia.

Agumbe, a tiny hamlet village deep within the state of Karnataka in southern India more prominently known for the Malgudi Days (The Famous Indian Television Series) House. The house is called the Dodda-Mane (Big-House) and is owned by Kasturi Akka. She plays an excellent host to all backpackers that often pass by this small silent town.

Well, so all confused….Western Ghats….The Kalingas….The King Cobra….Agumbe…..well here’s the kicker…Agumbe is part of the Western Ghats and home to The King Cobra which is often called the Kalinga Sarp by the locals.

Makes sense now isn’t it…..

Agumbe often called the Cherrapunji of the South, attracts the highest rainfall across the south of India and is very well known for its scenic beauty and also the massive bio diversity that it hosts. With a mean annual rainfall of 7620mm this is truly one hell of rain forest experience. Boasting of one of the first automated Weather Station set-up by the famous Romulus Whittaker, Agumbe is also famous for photography especially Macro enthusiasts. Romulus has been instrumental in setting up a research station which is dedicated to not only the King but also towards the conservation, documentation and education of the many varied species of frogs, snakes, spiders and many many more reptilian species. Agumbe is equally a botanist’s paradise with the innumerable species of plants especially medicinal that can be found only here.

Well , to know more and to experience this further, do write to us or simply join our expedition which helps in contributing income sources towards research and definitely the local communities on support@theitravelgroup.com or call +91-9503839398