Discover Western Ghats – the Hottest Biodiversity Hotspot of India

Here is a quick table that links to my experiences of the ‘Western Ghats – the hottest biodiversity hotspot of India’ and one of the world’s top ten biodiversity hotspots.
Sorted in alphabetical order. First, by ‘State’ and then by ‘Place of Interest’.    

Goa

Place of Interest	Famous for…	Location	Links to my posts on this blog
Mollem National Park	Wildlife, Dudhsagar Falls, Devil’s Canyon, Tamdi Surla Temple	Mollem (on the eastern border of Goa)	Goa’s wild side
Panjim	Boat Cruises on Mandovi River, Churches, Goan Holiday	Panjim	Riding past the Cruise Boats on Mandovi River at Panjim, Goa, India

Karnataka

Place of Interest	Famous for…	Location	Links to my posts on this blog
Agumbe	Sunset Point, Kundadri Sunrise, Vanakebe Falls, Koodlu Theertha Falls, Barakona Falls, Jogigundi Falls, Hebri, Sita Nadi Rafting, Rainfall Research Station, King Cobra Sanctuary	Agumbe (Near Sringeri)	Famous Sunset of Agumbe Crazy Roads of Someshwar Ghats Dodda Mane at Agumbe – Great Hospitality with a rustic homely experience Elderly Couple from Malnad: Some Portrait Shots! Surya Namaskar Sunset Moments from Agumbe
Baba Budangiri Hills	High wind speeds during the Monsoons, Inam Dattatreya Baba Budan Swamy Dargah, Coffee Plantations	Near Chickmagalur	Backpacking through the Western Ghats – Day 2: Mulaiyangiri to Baba Budangiri
Barakona Falls	Barakona Falls, Narasimha Parvatha, Tropical Trek	Near Agumbe	Trekking Guide: Narasimha Parvatha, Karnataka, India Tropical Trek to Barakona Falls near Agumbe, Karnataka, India
Bheemeshwari Jungle	Camping by the Cauvery, Mahseer Fish, Fishing/Angling, Treks, Fresh water Crocodile	Mandya District near Bangalore, Karnataka	Weekend Camping by the River Cauvery at Bheemeshwari in Karnataka, India
BR Hills	Tiger, Biligiri Ranganatha Temple, Western Ghats	Near Charmarajnagar	Enroute Biligiri Ranganatha (BR) Hills, Karnataka, India
Coorg	Tropical Rainforests, Coffee Estates, Mountain Peaks, Birdwatching, Kodava Culture, Tropical Treks, Hill Stations	Coorg	Coffee Country of Coorg
Dandeli	Tribes, Wildlife, River Rafting, Trekking	Dandeli	Top 13 things to do in Dandeli, Karnataka Dandeli’s Lambani Tribe: The Story of the Nomadic Gypsies The Tribes of Dandeli: A Photo Essay Siddi Tribe: The Africans of India
Dubare Reserve Forest	Elephants, Mahseer Fish, Fishing in the Cauvery	Coorg	Camping by the River Cauvery at Dubare in Coorg, Karnataka, India
Honey Valley Estate	Thadiyendamol Trek, Coffee Plantations, Honey, Bird watching, Nilakandi Falls, Kakkabe, Chingara Falls	Near Virajpet and Kakkabe, Coorg	Weekend Getaway to Honey Valley Estate in Coorg, Karnataka, India Honey Valley Estate: A Peaceful Homestay in Coorg Coffee in Coorg Monsoon Trek to Thadiyendamol Peak, Coorg, Karnataka, India Colourful Plants from Coorg Aura of Coorg’s Coffee Estates Tropical Trek to Chingara Falls, Coorg
Jogigundi Falls	Cave Waterfall, Trekking	Near Agumbe	Trek to Jogigundi Falls – The Cave Waterfall!
Kakkabe	Thadiyendamol Peak, Nalnad Palace, Padi Igguthuppa Temple, Kapala village, Chelavara Falls	Near Virajpet, Coorg	Nalnad Palace near Kakkabe in Coorg
Kemmangundi	Hill Station, Coffee Plantations, Trekking, Hebbe Falls	Kemmangundi	Backpacking through the Western Ghats – Day 3: Baba Budangiri to Kemmangundi Backpacking through the Western Ghats – Day 4: Kemmangundi – Hebbe Falls – Kemmangundi Backpacking through the Western Ghats – Day 5: Kemmangundi – Kalahatti Falls – Mangalore Monsoon Trek to Hebbe Falls, Karnataka, India Kemmangundi in the Monsoons!!
Kodachadri Hills	Kollur Mookambika Temple, Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary, Sarvajna Peetha, Agastyar Teertha Falls, Linganamakki reservoir views, Trekking	Bordering the Shimoga and Udupi districts	Backpacking through the Western Ghats – Day 6: Mangalore – Kollur – Kodachadri Forests Backpacking through the Western Ghats – Day 7 and 8: Kodachadri Hills Backpacking through the Western Ghats – Day 9 (the last day): Kodachadri Hills to Maravanthe Beach to Kundapur
Koodlu Theertha Falls	Steep tropical trek, Magical place	Near Agumbe, Someshwar and Hebri	Tropical Trek to Koodlu Theertha Falls – A Mystical Experience!!
Kumaraparvatha	Kumaraparvatha Trek, Kukke Subramanya Temple	Near Kukke Subramanya	Kumaraparvatha Trek, Karnataka, India
Kundadri	Sunrise Point	Near Agumbe	Kundadri: The Sunrise Point near Agumbe
Kutta	Coffee Plantations, Irpu Falls, Cauvery River, Nagarhole National Park	Coorg	Cafe Mocha – A stroll in a coffee estate at Kutta in Coorg, Karnataka, India
Madikeri (aka Mercera)	Hill Station, Madikeri Fort, Abbey Falls, Coffee Estates	Coorg	Abbey Falls near Madikeri in Coorg
Male Mahadeshwara Hills	Male Mahadeshwara Temple, Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary	Chamarajnagar District	Camping Trip – Male Mahadeshwara (MM) Hills, Karnataka, India
Mulaiyangiri Peak	Karnataka’s highest peak, coffee plantations, Shiva temple on the top	Near Chickmagalur	Backpacking through the Western Ghats – Day 1: Chickmagalur to Mulaiyangiri Peak
Nagarhole National Park/Kabini National Park	Leopard, Tiger, Elephant, Birding	Near Hunsur	Hanuman Langaur from Nagarhole National Park Wildlife Photography: Spotted Deer at Nagarhole National Park, Karnataka, India Black Crowned Night Heron at Kabini National Park Jungle Overdrive Weekend Getaway – Kabini National Park, Karnataka, India Wildlife Photography: Wild Dogs (Dhole) from Nagarhole National Park, Karnataka, India Reflections in the Wild
Nilakandi Falls	Tropical Trek, Thadiyendamol Range	Near Honey Valley, Kakkabe, Coorg	Monsoon Trek to Nilakandi Falls, Coorg, Karnataka, India
Sharavati River Valley	Sharavati River Valley View	Shimoga District	Pit Stop on NH 206 @ Sharavati River Valley, Karnataka, India
Vanakebe Falls	600 foot waterfall drop. Trek to the top of the waterfall	Near Agumbe	Trek to Vanakebe Falls – A sight to behold!
Yaana Hills	Twin limestone hills, Cave Temples	Near Gokarna	Yaana Hills – Towering Black Beauties in Karnataka, India

Kerala

Place of Interest	Famous for…	Location	Links to my posts on this blog
Banasura Sagar Dam	Photo Ops, Boating, Short Hikes, Dam	Near Kalpetta, Wayanad District	Photographing Yellow Flowers at Banasura Sagar Dam Banasura Sagar Dam – A Green Zone
Chembra Peak	Trekking, Highest peak of Wayanad District	Near Meppady, Wayanad District	Monsoon Trek to Chembra Peak, Wayanad, Kerala, India Trek to Chembra Peak – FAQ Lovely Tea Plantations of Chembra Estate
Eravikulam National Park	Nilgiri Tahr, Tea Estates, Elephant, Birds endemic to the Western Ghats, Kurinji Flower	Rajamallay (Near Munnar) in Idukki District	The Nilgiri Tahr lives on at Eravikulam National Park, Kerala
Munnar	Tea Estates, Eravikulam National Park, Top Station, Echo Point, Kundala Dam, Mattupetty Dam, Devikulam, Pallivasal, Hill Station, Honeymooning	Munnar	Picture book tea town of Munnar! Waterfall amidst a Tea Estate Campsite amidst the tea estates of Munnar!! The sun is shining on Munnar Tea Estate!! Through the winding tea estate roads of Munnar!!
Nilgiri Mountains	Trekking, Kodaikanal, Munnar, Ooty, Hill Stations	Tamil Nadu and Kerala	Trekking the Nilgiri Mountains from Kodaikanal to Munnar in Heavy Rains!!
Parambikulam Tiger Reserve	Teak plantations, tiger, elephant, gaur, Birds endemic to the Western Ghats, Nilgiri Langaur, Evergreen Forests	Parambikulam, Palakkad District	On the jumbo trail at Parambikulam Tiger Reserve
Periyar Tiger Reserve	Wildlife, Birds, Snakes, Shola Forests	Thekkady	Jungle Cruise at Periyar Tiger Reserve, Thekkady, Kerala, India Ripples in GREEN!! Wildlife Sighting during a cruise at Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kerala, India!!
Silent Valley National Park	Rare rainforest, Lion tailed macaque, Butterfiles, Orchids, Birds endemic to the Western Ghats	Mukkali, Palakkad district	Silent Valley National Park is not really silent
Soochipara Falls	Thundering water, Short Hike	Near Meppady, Wayanad District	Soochipara Falls in the Monsoons Tropical Moss and the Enveloping Mist
Vazhachal Forest	Tropical Rainforests, Athirapally Falls, Vazhachal Falls, Poringalputhu Reservoir	from Valparai in Tamil Nadu to Chalakudy in Kerala	Valparai to Athirapally: One of the top tropical motorcycle routes in India Poringalkuthu Reservoir: Nestled in the tropical rainforests of Vazhachal, Kerala Athirapally Falls: The Niagara of Kerala Vazhachal Forests: A fresh lease of oxygen in Kerala

Maharashtra

Place of Interest	Famous for…	Location	Links to my posts on this blog
Khandala	Hill Station, Breathtaking views, Hiking	Maharashtra	Pit Stop at Khandala in Maharashtra, India
Sinhagad	Sinhagad Fort, Tanaji Madusare	Near Pune, Maharashtra	Imagining the glorious past amidst the ruins of Sinhagad Fort near Pune in Maharashtra, India

Tamil Nadu

Place of Interest	Famous for…	Location	Links to my posts on this blog
Anaimalai Tiger Reserve	Tigers, Gaurs, Elephants, Evergreen forests, Birds endemic to Western Ghats, Other Wildlife	Top Slip (Near Pollachi)	Anaimalai Tiger Reserve – of Elephants, Gaurs, Tigers and Hornbills Monica Garden Tea Bungalow: A Colonial Holiday House at Valparai Malabar Grey Hornbill at Monica Garden Tea Bungalow, Valparai
Hogenakkal Falls	Hogenakkal Falls, Cauvery River, Oil Massages	Hogenakkal, Dharmapuri District	Hogenakkal Falls – A Mighty mass of water tumbling amidst rocky gorges!!
Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve	Tigers, Courtallam Falls, Manimuthar Falls, Vana Theertham Falls, Agastyar Falls, Thamarabarani river, Papanasam Dam, Manimuthar Dam, Elephants	Tirunelvli district	Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve and its mighty waterfalls
Kallidaikurichi	Old Temples, Courtallam Falls, Agastyar Falls, Manimuthar Falls, Vana Theertham Falls, Papanasam Dam, Manimuthar Dam, Thamarabarani river	Tirunelveli district	Monsoon in the Western Ghats – My ancestral town “Kallidaikurichi” A Trip to India’s Deep South
Kodaikanal	Kurinji Flower, Nilgiris, Hill Station, Berijam Lake, Kodaikanal Lake, Silver Cascade Waterfalls	Kodaikanal	Motorcycling through country roads to Kodaikanal and Kolli Hills in Tamil Nadu, India The Blue Mountains of Kodaikanal and its charming sights!!
Kodanad	220 Degree View, Moyar River Trek, Kotagiri, Tea Estates, Jayalalithaa’s House	Near Kotagiri	Kodanad’s 220 degree view of the Nilgiri Mountains Kodanad: Jayalalithaa’s Home in the Nilgiri Mountains
Nilgiri Mountains	Trekking, Kodaikanal, Munnar, Ooty, Hill Stations	Tamil Nadu and Kerala	Trekking the Nilgiri Mountains from Kodaikanal to Munnar in Heavy Rains!!
Ooty	Red Hills, Emerald Lake, Avalanche Lake, Pykara Lake, Kalhatti Falls, Hill Station, Mukurthi National Park, Nilgiri Mountain Railway	Ooty	Kalhatti Falls – A Sad Trickle this Monsoon! Nilgiri Mountain Railway – Go on a Joy Rife on this heritage train
Red Hills	Niligiri Biosphere Reserve, Tea Gardens, Lake ecosystem of 8 lakes, Hill Station	Near Ooty	Camping in the lake ecosystem at Red Hills near Ooty in Tamil Nadu, India Tea Estates from the Lake District of Red Hills The Land of the Badagas Emerald Lake in the Monsoons Monsoon Camping by Emerald Lake in the Nilgiri Mountains
Valparai	Aliyar Dam, Sholayar Dam, Nallamudi Poonjolai, Tea Estates, Anaimalai Tiger Reserve (Leopards, Lion Tailed Macaques, Elephant, Hornbill, Gaur)	Pollachi District	Valparai…the unsung hill station of India Monica Garden Tea Bungalow: A Colonial Holiday House at Valparai Malabar Grey Hornbill at Monica Garden Tea Bungalow, Valparai Exploring the Valparai hills on a Motorcycle Nallamudi Poonjolai: Velu saw God here!! Sholayar Dam nestled in the pristine Anaimalai hills of Tamil Nadu