Nestling high in the Western Ghats, approaching from the TamilNadu side near Tenkasi is a wildlife sanctuary called Mundanturai. It is part of Project Tiger, a Government drive to preserve the great elusive animal. A tranquil spot with a river called Sarvalar running through it, ideal for a quiet week-end. Time stands still just sitting on the bank of the river listening to the gurgle of the water punctuated by the call of birds. Like most of the wildlife sanctuaries I have visited, this one too was disappointing as far as sighting large game was concerned but birds were a plenty, enough to keep both binoculars busy. We even managed a ride into the core area of the forest, courtesy Rauf Ali (nephew of Salim Ali, the bird man of India) but still no game.

A short ride up the hill leads to a natural reservoir fed by a waterfall called Bana Theertam. To reach this marvellous falls, one has to cross the reservoir but boats fitted with outboard motors are available for hire. The place is not very well known and so not much crowd comes here. Hence the place is clean and quiet. There is a statue of the elephant God Vinayaka next to the falls, which I am told is the family deity of some locals. The falls were magnificent, fast and furious, the thunderous roar ringing in the ear long after a sad farewell.