Masiniguda and mudumalai
Mudumalai (Tamil Nadu), Bandipur and Nagerhole (Karnataka) National Wildlife Sanctuaries are actually just a single forest reserve artificially divided only by their names. Part of the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve, in 1980 UNESCO included it under the “Man and Environment” programe ‘to conserve for study examples of characteristic ecosystems from each of the world’s natural regions
There is a 1000 m. high viewpoint at Kargudi Hill behind the Kargudi Rest House. The 300 mtrs. Waterfall of the Mayaru has been diverted to produce electricity at the Singara and Moya power plants. On the Ooty- Gudalur- Mysore Road, a short cut to the sanctuaries via the Sigur Ghat bypassing Gudalur, saves nearly 30 km
After crossing Wenlock Downs and a heavily wooded area, turn right immediately after a small causeway at Thalaikundah, 12 km. from Ooty, on a narrow road that climbs away from the Gudalur road. This shortcut leads to Masiniguda (18 km.), winds its way through the Mudumalai Sanctuary and joins the Gudalur- Mysore Road at Theppakadu (7 km.). This road through the Sigur Ghat is in good condition but quite narrow in some stretches with very steep gradients and 36 hairpin bends. It is not advisable to take this road unless the car and driver are both in good condition. Use first gear most of the time and cross other vehicles very carefully. The Sigur River is a combination of the two streams Marlemund and Bilikal, both rising in the Ooty slopes. The Todas believe that the tears of man and buffalo formed the Marlemund reservoir, which is the main water supply for Ooty
At the 14th hairpin bend halfway down the Sigur Ghat, 13 km. from Ooty, is the Kalhatti falls named after the nearby Badaga village, which drop 120 ft. (37 mtrs.). To the left of the ghat road is an unfinished but motorable mud road. The reserve forest starts and there is a viewpoint with a good view of the plains. There is a regular bus service, but it is a 3 km. walk to the falls from the bus stop. The falls form a backdrop in many movies. Gudalur subdvision begins at the last hairpin bend
Masiniguda, only 13 km. northwest of Ooty as the crow flies, is in the Moyar valley, the Pykara River getting the name Moyar as it goes further north. The river’s name has been anglicized to Moyar. It is actually Mayaru, maya (illusion) and aaru, river. All the unproductive, unwanted male calves are sent to Masiniguda where they are well looked after. Earlier known as Masinahalli (halli- village in Kannada), in 1527 it was granted in perpetuity to Karibetta Raya by Krishna Raya Nayak, the right hand man of Krishna Deva Raya. The British took possession of it in 1797 from the ruler of Mysore
The Badagas worship Karibetta Raya even today. His likeness is carved on the temple entrance but inside there is only an oil lamp. Named after the presiding deity, Masini Amman, the temple is well known. Numerous virakkallus (hero stones) can be found in Masiniguda. The stone is a single upright sculptured slab. The temple is mainted by the Sholur Badagas and revered by the Todas
The Mudumali Wildlife Sanctuary is 321 sq. miles (800 sq. km.) bordering the states of Karnataka and Kerala. The Mudumalai Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu becomes the Bandipur Sanctuary at the Karnataka border. The road goes road through the sanctuary and most times one can see a family of deer grazing, some elephants feeding or a peacock strutting by the roadside. The Nagerhole National park is the third section of these sanctuaries for wild animals, reptiles and birds. The sanctuary office at Theppakadu is 36 km. from Ooty by the steep Sigur Ghat road and 67 km. via Gudalur. The safari cars that go into the sanctuary leave at 8.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. Transport is organized from Ooty by the Tourist Office when bookings are made. Within the sanctuary area itself there are a number of hotels and resorts
The sanctuary can best be seen on elephant back. Jeeps are also available which travel on marked roads inside the sanctuary. Because of severe water shortage the sanctuary is generally closed during the dry months of April and May
You can be almost sure of seeing bison (wild gaur), elephants, peacocks, wild boar etc. Different kinds of deer are chital, sambar (elk), barking deer and mouse deer. Other animals seen in the sanctuary are porcupine, wild dogs (chen- nai, which are reddish in colour and have long bushy black tails and hunt, like wolves, in packs). You can also see the Malabar squirrel, flying squirrel, the Nilgiris langur with its beautiful long, glossy black coat with a little red on its head and bottom, the bonnet monkey (whose numbers have come down to 1.5 lakhs from 40 lakhs in 1976) and the black- capped hare. More animals can be seen when it is hot and dry because they come to the watering holes
The perennial Mayaru River is the main water source for the animals. When it has rained, besides the fact that animals do not like to get wet, puddles of water everywhere quench their thirst, so there is less chance of sighting them. Earlier, you could drive your car inside the sanctuary with permission and ticket from the local Forest Office, but it is no longer allowed. Anyway the sanctuary vehicles take you deeper into the forest area. Rates are Rs. 25 per adult and Rs. 10 per child for an hour’s trip, Rs.50 for movie and video cameras. Travelling on elephants ensures your seeing more animals. They walk through the forest and the animals are not scared away by motor vehicles
Besides the wildlife, you can see the Moyar Water falls, the Chief Minister’s Watch Tower and the Theppakadu elephant camp where Kurumbas who speak their language, train wild elephants to obey commands and have taught them to perform puja every evening at the temple. You can see the elephants being fed and can ride them for Rs. 100 for four adults an hour