Coorg or Kodagu as it is popularly known is an astonishing land in the heart of the southern Indian peninsula.
This unspoilt “country of million hills”, situated on the slopes of the Western Ghats, is India’s coffee bowl.
The tiny district in the state of Karnataka is the biggest producer of coffee. |
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A land of chivalry and pride, a life of solitary splendour, rich food and spices is in short termed Coorg. Popularly termed as the Scotland of India, Madikeri, the district capital of Coorg is 1525m above sea level. Sparkling valleys, lush green mountain ranges, awesome weather, all beckon you. The Dubare forest, situated in the south of Coorg is an Elephant haven. It was here that originally elephants were trained for Dasara celebrations held in Mysore every year in the month of October. Here you can simply spend hours together just watching elephants. Nisargadhama is a popular family holiday spot. With ample cottages spread over forest area, it is an ideal place to spot deers.
Getting there:
Kodagu (Coorg) can be reached only by road, as there is no railway or commercial air service that serves the area. The Mysore - Mangalore high way passes through Kodagu (Coorg). The district headquarters Madikeri (Mercara), is 260 km from Bangalore and 120 km from Mysore. The distance from Mangalore is 136 km and from Cannanore and Tellicherry, it is about 115 km. There are regular buses plying from these places to Madikeri.
Air: The nearest airport is Bangalore.
Rail: The nearest rail junction is Mysore.
Weather and Best Time to Visit:
Cool throughout the year. Monsoons can be messy. The monsoons are spread from June to September. Summers are generally cool and winters are chilly. |
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Places to visit
Madikeri Fort
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This 19th century fort, in the centre of Madikeri, houses a temple, a chapel, prison and a small museum. The fort offers a beautiful view of Madikeri.
It was first built by Mudduraja in the last quarter of the 17th century. He also built a palace inside the fort. It was eventually rebuilt in granite by Tipu Sultan who named the site as Jaffarabad. In 1790, Doddavira Rajendra took control of the fort. |
Raja's Seat:
Raja's Seat is a small pavilion with a garden surrounding it; offering a view of the green valley below. According to legend, the kings of Coorg spent their evenings here. The spectacular sunset and the far stretching Blue Mountains will take ones breath away.
Talakaveri:
Talakaveri is the origin of river Kaveri on the eastern slopes of Brahmagiri peak, about 8 km by road from Bhagamandala.
An enclosure around the spring called Gundige is connected to a small pond beside. The water from the pond goes underground and comes out after about one kilometer down the hill. There are three shrines above the spring. |
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There are 2 temples, a Shiva temple and with a rare and ancient Shiva Linga, and another temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha. This temple has a holy Ashwantha tree where, according to legend, the Trimurtis - Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh gave darshan to sage Agastasya.
Legends also have it that every year on Tulasankramana day (approximately on 17 October) Goddess Parvati appears in the Kundike as the sacred teerthodbhava. This occasion is marked by the sudden unsurge of water in the kundike and is considered very auspicious.
From Talakaveri, gives you a good view of the misty blue Brahmagiri hills.
Iruppu Falls:
This is a sacred place called Iruppu in south Coorg on the Brahmagiri range of hills. River Lakshmana-tirtha flows nearby. According to legends Rama and Lakshmana, passed this way in search of Sita. Lakshmana shot an arrow into the Brahmagiri hills and brought into being the river Lakshmana tirtha when Rama asked him to fetch some water. The river descends perpendicularly into a great cataract known as the Iruppu Falls.
Abbey Falls
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A big attraction for tourists and filmdom alike is the Abbey Falls, 8 kms from Madikeri. Even during the summer there is plenty of water in these falls. The roar of the falls can be heard from the main road, from where a path goes through lovely coffee and cardamom plantations right up to them.
The chirping of innumerable birds which are easier heard then seen, fill the air with sweet music. Do remember to take your binoculars and camera when you go there. |
Dubare:
This is mainly an elephant capturing and training camp of the Forest Department, at the edge of Dubare forest, on the bank of river Kaveri, on the Kushalnagar - Siddapur road. The largest land animal is captured here with the help of tamed elephants and local tribals - the Kurbas - and is held captive for upto 6 months in large teak wood cages |
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The tamed elephants attend to various jobs during the day and in the evenings they come down to the river to bathe and to be scrubbed clean by their mahouts. Afterwards the mahout obliges eager tourists for free elephant rides within the camp. In the evenings, all the elephants are offered a special treat of ladoos made of ragi and jaggery, each no smaller than a cannon ball!
Nagarhole National Park:
The Nagarhole Game Sanctuary extending over 284 sq. km affords an awesome sight with wild animals like bison. tiger, panther, elephants, wild boars, peacocks, etc.in their natural habitat.
Nagarahole National Park now renamed as Rajiv Ghandi National park was first set up in 1955. In 1975 its area was increased to include a greater expanse of forest reserve. Once an exclusive hunting preserve of the erstwhile rulers of Mysore. |
The serpentine river after which the park is named, winds through lush green wilderness, hence the name "Nagara Hole" in Kannada means Serpent River Kabini is the largest river draining the forest and a dam built on it has created a splendid lake to the south of the park, which also forms a boundary with the Bandipur Tiger Reserve.
Over 300 bird species have been reported here, including rarities like Blue Face Malkhoa, White-cheeked Barbet and Nilgiri Flycatcher. The Short Eared and Oriental Scops Owl can been seen at night as they come out to prey. |
Lucky people may see a tiger or panther or even a King cobra. Both trekking and going by private vehicles is allowed, though permission has to be taken first. Huts have been built for those who wish to stay in the wilds.
Valanoor
Valanoor 30 Kms from Mercara, the back waters of river Cauvery is one of the most beautiful Angling sites in Karnataka. Types of fish include Golden-Masheer, Maral and Mapp. Licence / permit can be arranged by local tourist agents.
Nisargadhama
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A forest resort just 2kms from Kushalnagar and 30 kms from Madikeri. A wild life sanctuary of its own kind, the best word to describe Nisargadhama is “Awesome”. You can find deer, elephants, peacocks and some other usual wild animals if lucky. |
Bhagamandala
This is a well known pilgrimage centre at a distance of 39 kms from Madikeri.
Bhagamandala is on the banks of the confluence of three rivers, Cauvery, Kannike and the sub terranian Sujyoti, popularly known as "Triveni Sangama". The famous Sri Bhagandeswara temple is located here. A large number of tourists visit Bhagamandala particularly during the Thula Sankramana jatra and the entire Thula month (October-November).
Harangi Dam is a great picnic spot 36 kms from Madikeri.
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