Nagarhole, meaning ‘Snake River’ in Kannada, is a small town in Karnataka where Nagarhole National Park is situated. Nagarhole is Part of a vast forest range in the Old Mysore region adjoining Bandipur National Park, Nagarhole largest contiguous stretch of forest in South India. Nagarhole 11 51' to 12 15' N latitude and 76 00' to 76 17' E longitude, South India- just 200 kms from Bangalore and 60 kms South west of Mysore by road. Nagarhole was declared as a National Park in 1983 and named as the Rajiv Gandhi National Park. Nagarhole derives its name from the winding course of the river like a snake that flows through the forests. Explore the environs of Nagarhole, feel the amazing beauty of the nature and take a moment of bliss to remember.

Green is the keyword for any of the sites that you visit in and around Nagarhole. And the experience of being close to the Mother Nature is very thrilling. Though there are a number of sites to visit around Nagarhole, the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary and the Bandipur National Park are the two destinations that one must not miss. The different species of birds in the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary and the natural habitat of some of the rare species of flora and fauna along with the Asiatic Elephant in the Bandipur National Park make them the nature lover’s destinations.

The area Nagarhole was an exclusive hunting reserve of the former rulers of Mysore. The two biggest animals that still roam the Indian wild are the elephant and the Indian bison, known locally as gaur. For a guaranteed look at these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat, a visit to Nagarhole is a must. The backdrop of the distant misty blue Brahmagiri Mountains, the natural sounds of the jungle, the gurgling of streams and rivers, and the twittering of the birds make Nagarhole a memorable experience for any tourist visiting this place.

Amidst the numerous teak saplings and trees surrounded by cardamom plants there is a watchtower also. Its moderate climate with abundant flora and fauna make it a veritable paradise for wildlife. The Nagarhole area consists of plain land as well as sloping hills with varied flora from dry deciduous to semi-evergreen forests. The smell of fresh, pure air rejuvenates the spirit of any tourist reaching at Nagarhole. The beauty of the sun tried to bathe the forest with its rays at dawn is enchanting.

Tribes like Jenu Kurubas (honey-gatherers), the Betta Kurubas (hill tribes) and the Hakki-Pikki (bird trappers) inhabit in this area.

The Nagarhole Irpu Falls, also known as the Lakshmana Tirtha Falls, are located in the Brahmagiri Range and is a fresh waterfall 60 m high. Amidst thriving green Western Ghats, Nagarhole Irpu falls is a major tourist attraction as well as a pilgrim spot. The river Lakshmana-Tirtha flows nearby and it joins the Kaveri River at a later part.

A famous temple of Lord Shiva, known as the Rameshwara Temple, is situated on the banks of this River. There is another temple dedicated to Sri Ram, surrounded by paddy fields, from where it is ascend to the falls through natural forest. Except the waterfall all other places are inside the wildlife sanctuary and need permission to enter the sanctuary.

The Nagarhole Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, with evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, is located in the Kodagu district and makes a part of the Western Ghats. A natural habitat of tribes with shola-grassland, this sanctuary is famous for agricultural fields and coffee plantations. The sanctuary obtained its name from the highest point, the Nagarhole Brahmagiri peak, at a height of 1607 meters from sea level. Bamboos are well cultivated in these forests, with a species called Bambusa bamboos are in major.

Animals in the Sanctuary include lots of rare species. One can see lion-tailed macaque, Malabar giant squirrel and brown mongoose apart from elephant, tiger, gaur, wild dog, jungle cat, leopard cat, sambar, sloth bear, wild pig, spotted deer and many more. Snakes including Python and king cobra and attractive birds like emerald dove, Malabar trogon and black bulbul can be spotted here. The Nagarhole Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is a precious place to visit for all the nature lovers, environmentalists and animal lovers.

Rameshwara temple, on the banks of the Lakshman Tirtha River, with main deity as Lord Shiva, is religiously important temple near Nagarhole. According to Hindu mythology, Rama and Lakshmana passed along the Brahmagiri range while searching for Rama's beloved wife, Sitadevi. When Rama asked Lakshmana to fetch him drinking water, Lakshmana shot an arrow into the Brahmagiri hills and brought into being the river Lakshmana Tirtha.

This temple attracts a large number of pilgrims during the festival of Shivaratri. The temple is believed to possess the power to cleanse sins of those who visit this sacred place.

Kutta is a nearest town to Nagarhole and is in South Kodagu. Kutta, with estates of coffee, spices, betel nuts, bananas and paddy, is a small town with a population of about 5000 people. The spoken languages here are Kannada and Malayalam, Kutta being very close to Kerala border.

Few other places in the world are blessed with such natural beauty and fertility. Hazy mountains, myriad rivers and waterfalls are visibly showing the natural beauty in Kutta. Thick tropical forests, miles of plantations, a plenty of exceptional flora and fauna make Kutta memorable any of the people who visit this place. Hospitality of the local people is wonderful. Kutta is a place one can still hear the birds chirping and the sound of the leaves moving in the breeze. It is located 7 km from Nagarhole.

Madikere, 93 Km from Nagarhole is famous for its coffee and orange plantations.