Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, Wildlife sanctuary in Karnataka, India
Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is a nature reserve in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, covering evergreen forests, mountain grasslands, and high peaks. The terrain rises sharply across different elevation bands, each supporting its own set of plants and animals.
The sanctuary was set up in 1987, when the Karnataka Forest Department officially protected the Kadamakal Reserved Forests. Long before that, the surrounding mountains were known for their dense tree cover and streams that supplied water to communities across the region.
The sanctuary sits next to Kukke Subramanya Temple, a major pilgrimage destination where worshippers gather to honor Lord Subramanya surrounded by forest and mountain. This sacred place and the wild landscape around it form a single spiritual experience for many visitors.
Mountain weather here can shift fast, so rain gear is worth carrying at any time of year. Starting your visit in the morning gives you better visibility on the trails before mist tends to build up later in the day.
Kumara Parvatha, Karnataka's second-highest peak, rises from within the reserve and the main trail to its summit passes through the protected forest. Along the way, six streams flow year-round through the different elevation bands, supplying water to wildlife and plants at every level.
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