Sightseeing and Excursions:
Near Madikeri
Visit the Omkareshwara Temple 1 km from Madikeri town. Built in the early 18th century by the King Lingarajendra, it is a beautiful piece of architecture drawing influences from Keralite, Gothic and Islamic influences.
The Madikeri Fort, built in the 19th century, is an impressive structure, housing a temple, chapel, prison and museum.
Also a great panoramic view to catch from atop a hill is the Raja's Seat, said to be the favourite haunt of the very many Kings who came here to view their empire
The Falls:
Abbi Falls
Located in the midst of coffee plantations, this is one of the most scenic spots in the area. Only 7 km away from Madikeri, the road leading to it is an adventure in itself with ups and downs and sudden curves and bends. This waterfall flows to unite with the River Kaveri.
Another fall that mesmerizes you with its beauty is the sacred Iruppu Falls in Kodagu's southern side. It is believed that Lord Rama and his brother Lakshmana passed through these hills in search of Sita. The river Lakshmana-tirtha, flowing through here, is said to have originated when Lakshmana was asked to fetch water by Ram and he shot an arrow into the Brahmagiri hills, thus bringing the river into being. Also said to be blessed with powers of cleansing one's soul, it is an important pilgrim point for many devotees and a temple dedicated to Lord Ram is a few km below.
The Rivers:
Talakaveri (48 km from Madikeri)
According to the Hindu scriptures, River Kaveri is one out of the seven sacred rivers of Sapta Sindhus. The place where it originated is called Talakaveri meaning the head of Kaveri. It starts from a tirtha kundike or Brahma kundike meaning a small spring or a pond, which then flows underground to re-emerge some distance ahead. A shrine has been erected near this place. Two temples of Shiva and Ganesha can also be found here. A tree situated near the temple, has been marked as a sacred spot called Ashwantha, said to have been the spot where the three Gods, Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh, also called Trimurti, paid homage to the Saint Agastya.
From here you could head to the Brahmagiri peak, and witness the sight where the famous ceremony or yagna was carried out by the seven great sages or Sapta Maharishis.
Bhagamandala (40 km from Madikeri)
When the River Kaveri flows downhill, it is joined by two more tributaries - Kanake and Sujyoti. The spot where all three converge is called Bhagamandala. From here, it flows through, supplying water to Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, and then ends in the Bay of Bengal. The Bhangandeshwara Temple, where the rivers meet, is worth a visit.
A great picnic spot is Kaveri Nisargadhama. It is an island in the middle of the river connected by a rope bridge, and it is quite exciting reaching there. You can do boating or go for elephant rides as well as visit the elephant training camp run by the Forest Department at Dubare, 8 km sway. Harangi Dam, is another picnic spot in the vicinity.
Other places of interest:
Padi Iggutappa Temple
Visit the most sacred temple of the Kodavas at the Nalnad Palace dating back to 1791. It is about 2 km by road from Kakkabe.
Somwarpet
Take the 42 km drive to Somwarpet passing by some of the famous coffee plantations of Coorg. The visual imagery is beautiful, with the tall coffee trees, dotted with pepper and cardamom vines. End up for refreshments at the Basappa Club, the planter's club of the area.
Little Tibet
Housing mostly refugees from Tibet, it is located near the hills of Madikeri. The famous site to visit here is the Namdroling Monastery, and 2 km from there two more monasteries of Sera Jhe and Sera Mey at the Sera village.
Wildlife:
The famous Nagarhole Park (96km) named after the river that flows through it (meaning Snake River), is a wildlife resort where you can feast your eyes on a variety of wildlife. Originally a hunting ground for the royalty, this sanctuary lies at the foothills of Brahmagiri, and holds a fascinating landscape of tropical forests, lowlands and innumerable rivers and streams flowing through it. It is part of the enormous Nilgiri biosphere reserve and covers an area of 640 sq km.
Other Activities:
Trekking
Coorg has many verdant trekking routes in the midst of forests and hills, and it's best to go in the months from October to February. Some of the known trails are in the hills of Brahmagiri, where you could trek your way to the Iruppa Falls. Or you could trek to Pushpagiri, the second highest peak of Kodagu, or even Tadiandamol, the highest peak.
Angling
Valanoor is the backwater of the River Kaveri, which draws fishing lovers from all over the country. You can try and catch the famous mahaseer and the best season is from October to May.
White Water Rafting
For white water rafting check out the camps around Madikeri, which offer rafting down the Cauvery. Some fast paced action visit the Upper Barapole River to the south of Coorg in Brahmagiri. The best time for rafting is from mid-June to mid-September.
Golf
Golfers can tee off at the 9-hole course of Virajpet.
Food & Shopping:
Coorgi cuisine is famous and quite unique, based on game meats, pork and other delicious ingredients. Feast yourself on pandhi (pork), koli (chicken) and yarchi (lamb) spiced with pepper, kokum, bamboo shoot, red chilly, and coconut.
And of course, shop for the famous Coorgi spices, coffee, and honey. You could also check out the typical Coorgi silk saris.
Fairs & Festivals:
You could schedule your visit to coincide with one of the colourful festivals of the region. The festivals of the Kodava community are largely around agriculture and military activities. The Festival of Arms Keilpoldu, held in the months of June to September, is when the weapons are polished and worshipped before reuse. A festival based around the river Kaveri, called Kaveri Shankaramana, is held in October. The harvest festival called Puthari is usually celebrated in the months of November or December, accompanied by folk songs and dances, performed by the different villages at their temples.
Also known as Kodagu, this is a place said to haunt you forever with its timeless beauty. Coorg
offers you a fascinating past, captivating natural beauty, great
cuisine and aromas of the coffee plantations, oranges and honey.
Described as the Scotland of India, Coorg lies at an altitude of 1,525 m on the Western Ghats.
Set amidst verdant valleys, imposing mountains and teak wood forests,
this is one of the most beautiful hill stations you can visit. It lies
on Karnataka's southwestern end, covering an area of 4,102 sq.km.
The
Kodagu district comprises different communities like Kodava, Tulu,
Gowda, Moplah, etc, out of which the largest is the Kodava community,
both economically and politically. The economy of Kodagu depends on
agriculture, coffee plantations, forestry and tourism.
There are many versions behind the origin of the name Kodagu. According to the Puranas, Kodava is the refined name of Krodhadesa, meaning Land of Anger, said to have been inhabited by the Kodava tribe. While for some, it is believed to have been named after the River Kaveri, where kod means give and ava
means mother, the River Kaveri being the mother to the people. Yet
another version says that its name originated from the Kannada kudu which means dense forest on a steep hill.
It
is said that the history of Coorg dates back to as early as 888 AD.
Information on its early history has come primarily from the various
inscriptions on stone and copper plates of 9th -10th century.
The
kingdom was ruled by many dynasties, starting with the Gangas of
Talakgd, Kadambas, Cholas, Kongalvas, Changalvas, Hoysalas, and
Nayakas. The Haleri dynasty was the last most noteworthy dynasty to
rule the whole of Kodagu. It came into power around mid-16th
century and was founded by a young prince from Ikkeri. It was the first
dynasty in the history of Kodagu, which spanned 234 years and ruled the
entire region. It was under their reign that the capital was shifted to
Madikeri or Mercara. Finally the glorious years of the Haleri dynasty
ended in mid-18th century to give way to Hyder Ali of Mysore,
who was dethroned by the enraged Kodavas, declaring themselves
independent and thwarting the efforts, even of the great Tipu Sultan.
Initially
the British and Kodagu signed a peace treaty, and fought as allies to
drive Tipu Sultan out. But during the rule of Vira Raja, the British
disregarded the treaty and took over Kodagu. After India's Independence Coorg changed status several times - from a province to a state in 1950, and finally a district of Karnataka, with it returning back to its original name, Kodagu.
Tourism Info:
Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation
49, Khanija Bhavan, 2nd Floor, West Entrance
Race Course Road
Bangalore - 560 001
Phone: (080) 2352901, 2352902, 2352903
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