Agumbe (Kannada: ಆಗುಂಬೆ) is a village located in the Shimoga district in the state of Karnataka, India. Lying in the Thirthahalli taluk and the Malnad region, Agumbe is among the places in India that receive very heavy rainfall earning it the sobriquet, "Cherrapunji of the South".

Attractions in Aagumbe:

Agumbe is one of the most scenic places on the Western Ghats of the Southern India. Added to the lush green view all around, the attractions for the visitors is the spectacular sunset and vast opportunities it offers to the trekkers. Agumbe is among the places that receive high rainfall and is rightly called the Cherrapunji of South India. Agumbe also served the screening of most of the episodes of one of the most popular television serial Malgudi Days based on R.K Narayan's novel.

If you are looking for a peaceful break for a few days from the hectic city life, away from the crowded and commercialized attractions, then this is the place for you.

Kunchikal Falls:

Kunchikal Falls is the highest waterfall in India and ranks 116th in the list of highest waterfalls in the world. Its total height is 1493 ft/455 mts. It is formed by the Varahi river.

Barkana Falls:

Barkana Falls is the 10th highest waterfall in India with a height of 850 ft/259 mts. It is formed by the Seeta River.

Onake Abbi Falls:

This is another waterfall near Agumbe. In the Kannada language, "Onake" means a pounding stick which is used to pound grains in villages.

Sunset point in Agumbe:

Agumbe has a sunset point which receives lot of visitors. On a clear day, one can see the sun setting over the Arabian Sea though the sea is at quite a distance from Agumbe.

Biodiversity in Agumbe:

Being a part of Malnad and Western Ghats, Agumbe and its surroundings are rich in biodiversity. It is adjacent to one of the last surviving lowland rainforests in the Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary and the Kudremukh National Park. Many new species of flora and fauna are found in this region. The renowned herpetologist, Romulus Whitaker called Agumbe the capital of King Cobra.

Rainforest research station:

Agumbe is the location of the only permanent rainforest research station in India which was established by the herpetologist, Romulus Whitaker.

Getting there:

Agumbe is near the town of Thirthahalli which lies on the National Highway NH-13. From the state capital of Bangalore, Agumbe can be reached by taking NH-4 till Tumkur, then NH-206 till Shimoga and then NH-13 to Thirthahalli (a total distance of about 380 km.). Udupi on Konkan Railway is the nearest railhead. Nearest airport is Mangalore. Agumbe is now effected by Naxalite activity