Malenadu meaning ‘land of the hills’ is a diverse cultural hub in the Western Ghats of Karnataka. Very unlike the plains, villages here are hamlets (group of houses scattered here and there). Red roofed homes peep out of the lush green landscape often to surprise many nature travelers. The innumerable hamlets punctuating the Western Ghats have a distinct lifestyle perfectly in sync with their natural ambience, intelligently adapting to changing seasons, guarding their identity and retaining much of their unblemished beauty. Although agriculture is the mainstay for most people, their lives are intertwined with the forests surrounding them and governed by natural cycles. Their festivals, arts and entertainment, their faith – almost everything celebrates the grandeur of nature.
Stay in little-known homes, experience rural hospitality, mingle with local culture, fill up on traditional cuisine, and be part of a very different way of life at the rural stays.
- Walk around the paddy fields, hamlets, streams and valleys
- Cycle in the backcountry
- Swim in the Sharavathy backwaters
- Partake in the ongoing (season’s) farming activity – be it transplanting paddy, harvesting, arecanut harvest etc.
- Experience rural life – help with firewood collection, cook on firewood, understand several lifestyle adaptations that enable them survive a harsh landscape, do farming or just sip tea watching the forests as they stand testimony to life in the Ghats.
- Visit popular attractions in the area – Keladi, Ikkeri, Bheemeshwar, Banavasi temples, Holebagilu, Jog falls, Charakha center, Ninasam, sacred grove at Yelkundli
- Go bird-watching at dawn and dusk
- Head out on day hikes – to waterfalls, ancient forts and monuments that litter the forests in this region
- Learn a new skill – for example rope making from river reed, native stove building (using stone and mud), single bamboo ladder balance, picking pepper (seasonal activity), tree climbing, pot painting, mud wall painting, basket making, paddy chaff weaving. Please note: all of these are possibilities only based on prior intimation.
- View a folk dance performance in the evening – these can be organized on prior intimation for an additional cost
The various sites to visit within a 30-50 km radius of the rural stays include -
Ancient temples at Keladi and Ikkeri
: Built by the erstwhile rulers of the region – the Keladi kings, the temples are nearly 500 years old and have intricate carving in stone and wood. Invaded by the Muslim rulers, what one sees are remains/partially damaged marvels in stone architecture.
Bheemeshwar: An ancient temple that overlooks the tall Govardhanagiri ranges, Bheemeshwar is remote and little known. Having survived years of torment in rain and shine, the temple stands in solitude surrounded by lush green jungle in all directions. Perched on a narrow ledge, for about six months a year, it has a cascading waterfall for company.
Kanoor Kote:
An ancient military fort of the Pepper queen (Rani Channabhairadevi) who ruled the area – its strategic location on a cliff made it indomitable in its prime. With Gersoppa as her capital, the queen grew famous as she traded spices from the tropical jungle (cinnamon, pepper etc.) in exchange for weapons with the early Portuguese traders. Now in ruins, the fort is an intriguing visit.
Charakha center at Heggodu: A rural enterprise, Charakha is a women’s cooperative that has changed the lives of hundreds of young women in the Heggodu region. Here, they weave cotton yarn into fabric, dye them with natural dyes (from cinnamon, banana, boiled arecanut waste etc.). Further the fabric is stitched or embroidered or hand block printed. The final product is up for sale in many retail outlets in Bangalore (called DESI). Shop at a small field selling kiosk at Heggodu and pick up a locally made souvenir!
Jain Basdi’s at Haduvalli and Gersoppa: Many Jain Basdi’s dot the forests of the Sharavathy valley. With a sizeable Jain population, the ruins are important hallmarks of a flourishing Jain kingdom between the 14th and 15th century.
Jog falls:
Asia’s second largest waterfall, Jog is a stunning landscape of rock, water and forest. During season (mainly the monsoon months), witness the Sharavathy dive down about 900 feet in four channel (Raja, Rani, Rocket and Roarer) forming a spectacular waterfall.
All rural stays have a separate clean room with beds, blankets, sheets and towels attached with a comfortable bathroom. Facilities are clean but basic. All stays have clean tiled bathrooms with western closets.
The food is mainly local cuisine and vegetarian. We encourage you to try local food which is a lot of rice, rice-rotis, vegetable, an assortment of chutneys & pickles and sambar (made with a regional twist). However, based on prior requests, other arrangements can be made.
Most of these homes are located in remote areas where electricity is a luxury. However being very ingenious - two of our rural stays funnel in stream water from the heights to power a mini hydel unit for their electricity needs. Hence light in the evening is sufficient.
Water is clean from the forest streams. It is filtered for guests.
Folk games like chowka-bara are engaging options in the evening.
Located in the Sharavathy region – the rural stays are in and around Sagar taluk. One of them is located in Nandigodu (which is 12 kms from Sagar town). The other two are in Hebbenkeri, about 48kms from Sagar, about 18kms off the Kargal – Kogar road. In the monsoon months, guests are adviced to park their vehicles and travel the last stretch of 4km mud road by a four wheel jeep as the terrain does get a bit treacherous.