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Easily
one of the most attractive regions in India, Coorg or Kodagu is an
enchanting expanse of natural tourist spot that nestles amid the hills and
valleys of the picturesque Western Ghats.
The Kodagu people have always stood apart handsome, brave and hospitable.
A distinguished martial tradition has given the Indian Army several
Generals and Brigadiers.
Known by their special variants of wearing the saree, the Kodagu women
are graceful and beautiful. Kodagu district has several tourist spots of
historic, epic and natural importance.
Kodagu has three taluks- Madikeri,
Virajpet and Somwarpet. Steep hills, valleys and gorges with countless
streams that gurgle through them, beckon intrepid trekkers and rock
climbers.
MAIN ATTRACTIONS
Coffee:
Coffee, the pause that refreshes is grown extensively in Kodagu on
plantations that dot most of the hillsides, with coffee, orange, black
pepper and cardamom at the bottom of the slopes, under canopies of huge
trees.
Well maintained with modern curing and irrigation, these plantations
exude a heady fragrance in April, when the coffee bushes blossom. Coffee
picking time is from November to March.
Cauvery:
Lifeline of the south, Cauvery bubbles up from Talacauvery and reaches
ground level at Bhagamandala, 39 kms to the west of Medikeri. One of the
seven major rivers of India, Cauvery is the ' Dakshina Ganga' or ' Ganga
of the south'.
Bhagamandala:
It is a shrine of Bhagandeshwara. It is here the Cauvery merges in joyous
and divine form with the rivers Kannike and Sujyothi to form a 'Triveni
Sangama'. The Bhangandeshwara Temple built in Kerala style on the bank of
the Sangama.
Nagarahole
National Park:
One of the well-maintained game sanctuaries in the country is located
closeby, 100kms from Madikeri, 64 kms from Virajpet & 94 kms from
Mysore via Hunsur & Murkal.
ItGaur, Chital, Sambhar & Barking Deer, Sloth Bear, Langur, Crocodile
and over a hundred species of birds and the elusive cats - the Leop is
home to herds of Elephant, ard and the Tiger.
Madikeri:
District headquarters of Kodagu, and a walker's delight, is located at a
height of 1,525 metres from the sea level. Winding lanes disappearing into
green mountains promise tall delight.
Raja's Seat:
Hill ranges, clad in green, rising upto play with silken clouds of myriad
hues that is the view from Raja's Seat, literally meaning the " Seat
of the king. "
It is here that the kings of Madikeri enjoyed nature and unforgettable
sunsets. Feast your eyes on an endless expanse of sun-kissed greenery.
Omkareshwara Temple:
Built by Lingaraja in 1820 AD and dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple is
a quaint mix of Islamic and Gothic styles.
The gold leaf inscription atop, accessed through a narrow flight of
interesting steps used by the king to survey his Kingdom, the fishes in
the pond which leap in symphony to gobble food offered to them, are all
worth noticing. The annual 'Teppothasava' or "Boat Festival" is
a memorable event.
Madikeri Fort:
A 19th century fort that witnessed several heroic battle, this Fort now
houses a temple, a chapped and a small museum. The view of Madikeri is,
quite simply, stunning. The beautiful now houses Govt. Offices of the
District Administration
Nalkunadu Palace:
Built in 1792 AD by Dodda Veerarajendra, this beautiful palace is close to
Tadiyendamol. To get here, you have to travel 32 kms from Madikeri through
Napoklu and Kakkabbe. Buses too, are available.
Abbey Falls:
7 kms from Madikeri amid a valley in a coffee- cardamom plantation, where
water drops from 70 ft. You can have a great splash of a picnic.
Iruppu Falls:
48 kms from Virajpet on the banks of the pristine Lakshmanatirtha River,
which descends in joyous leaps, to salute the Shiva Temple believed to
have been consecrated by Lord Rama himself. A wonderful getaway spot, on
the way to Kutta from Gonikoppal.
Nisargadhama- Harangi:
An island surrounded by the Cauvery river, Nisargadhama is a picturesque
picnic sport that offers elephant rides, deer prancing about and boat
rides. There are well equipped, thatched cottages, 3 kms from Kushalnagar.
The nearby Buddhist refugee camps at Bylakuppe offer prayerful silence in
expansive halls with beautiful 40 feet high idols of the Buddha and
Padmasambhava, his disciple.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
HOW TO GET THERE
Air: No direct air connection.
Rail: Kodagu is the only district in Karnataka without an inch of
rail track.
Road: Kodagu is accessible only by road. Many buses operated by
SKRTC. Pass through Madikeri enroute to Mangalore.
KSTDC organises regular package tours.
WHERE TO STAY
Hotel Coorg International, Madikeri.
Hotel Rajdarshan, Madikeri.
Orange Country Resort, Siddapura.
Hotel Chitra, Madikeri.
Capital Village, Madikeri.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Main Festival: Kali Podu in September, Huthri in November/December
and Madikeri Dassera.