Malnad

Malnad (Malenaadu in Kannada, derived from words meaning 'hilly region' as 'male' means hill in Kannada, also receives abundant rainfall) is a region of Karnataka state in South India. It lies on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats or Sahyadri range. The ridgeline of the Western Ghats forms the western boundary of the region. The Maidan region, on the flatlands of the Deccan plateau, lies to the east. The Kodagu (Coorg) region lies to the south. To the west, between the Ghats and the Arabian Sea, lies the Tulu Nadu region of the Malabar coast. Malnad also covers portions of Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, and Haasana districts.

The hills of Malnad are richly forested, and Coffee is grown in great abundance. Mudigere,Sakleshpura, Devarunda, Balehonnur and Thannodi are towns in the coffee-growing region. Mullaiyanagiri, at 6,317 feet, is the highest peak in Karnataka. Kemmangundi at 4,702 feet above sea level, is a popular Hill station, and was a favorite retreat of Mysore's former Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV. Kalhatti Falls, 10 km from Kemmangundi, has a drop of 122 meters. Gangamoola peak, 10 km from the town of Kudremukh, is revered as the source of the Bhadra, Nethravathi and Tunga rivers. Mudigere is also famous for the birth Hoysala dynasty. Hoysala was born in a small village called Angadi, where the actual Hoysala dynasty started.

The Western Ghats are an area of great Biodiversity, and is one of Conservation International's biodiversity hotspots. Bhadra Game Sanctuary in Muthodi is one of India's Project Tiger sanctuaries.