Arasalu, where you can relive the Malgudi Days

There is a place in Karnataka that will take every millennial on a sweet trip down the memory lane. Malgudi, though a fictional town, is no stranger to most of the millennials as it has been a part of their childhood.

Malgudi Days, a television rendition of the author RK Narayan’s 1943 book by the same name, made its television debut in the late 1980s and captured the hearts of children and adults alike all over India.



The heartwarming rural scenes, the streets,the train station and the market, all told us tales of this fictional village of Malgudi. But who knew, one day we will all be able to experience the same, decades later. The erstwhile Arasalu Railway Station, the place that inspired R.K Narayan to write his book, now renamed as Malgudi Railway Station, is the place to relive your Malgudi days.


Not just an inspiration, the famous television series was filmed in the said location. Also, Agumbe, a place just an hour away from Arasalu, is also where a number of scenes were filmed. If you talk to the older locals, they will tell you all about it.


Visit the railway station and you will understand the love that this fictional town got from people from all over the country. From artwork on the walls of the train station depicting the iconic characters and scenes to a museum and cafe dedicated to the show, there are a lot of things in Arasalu that will pull your heartstrings.


The museum, located inside the town, is called A Malgudi Days Museum, and it houses relics and photographs from the show. Here, visitors will also find photos of various stages of RK Narayan’s life as a writer.

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For those who love Malgudi Days, the name Swami and Friends is no stranger. Though it was RK Narayan’s first novel (1935), the characters of Swami and his friends, in all stages of being mischievous and endearing, finds a place in Malgudi Days, Narayan’s collection of short stories (1943). This is also because Swami and Friends, like most of Narayan’s books, was based in the fictional town of Malgudi. Hence, many will find Swami-connection in the present-day non-fictional town of Arasalu.


Back when the television series was busy winning hearts, most children loved to imagine themselves as Swami and his friends. Swami’s adventures in the town and the lesser-trodden paths in the wilderness definitely sparked the love for adventures in most of the children growing up watching the show.


It’s time we relive that same feeling of adventure by visiting the much loved not-so-fictional town of Arasalu, the Malgudi of our childhood.

1. How to reach Arasalu?
   By Air: The nearest airport is Mangalore International Airport, which is about 200 km away. By Train: Visitors can take Shimoga –Talaguppa passenger train. From Shimoga, it takes approximately 45 minutes to reach Arasalu. This way, visitors will also get to experience the iconic train station. By Road: The drive from Shimoga to Arasalu is very scenic. The route goes through lush greenery.
2. Things to do when in Arasalu
   When in Arasalu, you must visit the lush Agumbe Ghat, a wildlife hotspot in the Western Ghats located just an hour away. Jog Falls is approximately 71 km from Arasalu. You can also check out the elephants at the Sakrebyle Elephant Camp, which is just 50 km away.
3. Malgudi Days Museum timings and fees
   The museum is open to visitors all days of the week except Tuesday. The museum stays open from 10 AM to 6 PM. The entry fee is INR 5 per person.