Coorg

Karnataka state has some of the prettiest hill stations in India and Coorg is one among them. It is also the headquarters of Kodagu District. Perched at a height of 1170 meters, it is just a three-hour drive from Mysore, 150 km away. Dotted along the Western Ghats, it is surrounded by coffee, cardamom, pepper and beetelnut estates. Coorg's coffee estates produce some of the world's best coffee.

Now known as Kodagu, it was originally called Kodaimalenadu means 'dense forest on steep hill'. It has three taluks - Madikeri, Virajpet and Somwarpet. Rugged and misty hills, forests, tea and coffee plantation, ravines, trekking trails, waterfalls, wildlife, orange groves, pleasant atmosphere and mouth-watering cuisine make Coorg an unforgettable holiday destination.

The hill station has a rich history behind it. It was ruled by Lingyat caste of minor Nayak rulers, the Haleri Rajas. They established Madikeri as their capital. In 1785 AD, Tipu Sultan annexed Coorg into his kingdom. But, Vira Raja with the help of the British was successful in getting Coorg free. He developed this place into a beautiful hillstation with beautiful coffee and oranges plantation. But in 1834 AD, the British took over power in Coorg. Coorg was incroporated into Karnataka after the states reorganisation in 1956.

Coorg's people are called the Kodavas. There were early references to this people in the Sangam Literature of the Tamils. Facially look different from other races in Karnataka, they are said to be the descendants of soldiers of Alexander the Great.

Things to see and Do in and around Coorg

Omkareshwara Temple
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it was constructed in 1820 by the ruling King of Coorg. It is famous for its architectural blend of Islamic and Gothic style. One can see a glided ball with a weather clock over the dome of the temple.

Abbey Falls
Also known as Abbi Falls, it is a favourite spot for tourist located 6 kms from Madikeri. Located amongst coffee plantations and spice estates with dense bushes and green trees, these falls down in steps to flow as a small river. The vehicles can go only till the entrance. From the entrance, a trek about half a km through a flight of steps take to this waterfalls. On the way to the waterfalls, one can spot beautiful coffee plantations both sides. The cascading water descends to the river Cauvery. The waterfalls is best during monsoon, because the water flow is very high at that time. The British called this waterfall as the 'Jessy waterfalls' in memory of Jessy the daughter of Madikeri's first chaplain. Swimming in the falls is prohibited too, as it can be very dangerous and one can watch the beauty of waterfalls by standing in the hanging bridge in front of the falls.

Irpu falls
A well known landmark Coorg, Irpu falls lies at the base of the Brahmagiri Range near Ngarhole National Park in South - West Karnataka. Also known as the Lakshmana Tirtha Falls it is formed by Lakshmana theertha river emerging from the Western Ghats jumps down the ravine in tow stages from a height of 60 metre. It is also frequented by pilgrims to visit the famous Shiva temple, which is located on the banks of the Lakshmana Tirtha River. According to a legend, Lord Rama and his brother Lakshmana passed along the Bhramagiri range in search of Sita. When lord Rama asked his brother to get some drinking water, Lakshmana shot an arrow at the Brahmagiri hills which started spurting water. This stream of water came to known as the Lakshmana Tirtha River and on Mahashivratri day lots of devotees take a holy dip in the river to wash off their sins. This falls can be reached through a steep climbing path of about one km from the temple but is approachable only during summer.

Kushal Nagar

Situated just 30 km from Madikeri is Kushalnagar which boasts Coffee Estates. One can find a lots of home stay facilities here.

Madikeri (Read)...

Igguthappadevara betta
It is a lofty peak as well as a pilgrim centre for the people of Coorg. Set amidst in theAiyengeri forest near Kakkabbe 45kms from Madikeri, it houses a shrine dedicated to Lord Subramanya. Worshippers comes here and offer poojas at this shrine.

Talacauvery
8km further, is Talacauvery, the birthplace of the sacred river Cauvery. It is situated on the slopes of the Brahmagiri Hills, and can be reached by a motorable road from Bhagamandala. There are shrines dedicated to Ishwara Ganapathi.

Bhagamandala
It is 36 km from Madikeri. Bhagamandala where the Triveni bathing ghat is at the confluence of the three rivers: Cauvery, Kanika, and Sujyothi.The Bahandeshwara temple is located here. A large number of tourists visit Bhagamandala during the Thula Sankramana jatra and the entire Thula month (October-November).

Golden Temple (Namdroling Monastery)
The hillstation has one of the largest settlements of Buddhists in India. After, Chinese took over Tibet, the refugees were settled at Bylakuppe near Kushalnagar. Situated just about 30 km away from Madikeri, Golden Temple was built in 1963. The monks can be seen in bright yellow and red robes. Soothing Buddhist chants, golden statues of the Buddha and Tara, murals and Tangkha paintings, and breathtaking sights of pagodas are the other attractions of this monastery.

Dubare Forest
Dubare Forest is a great vacation spot for adults and kids alike. It is around an hour and a half from Medikeri and about 20kms from Kushalnagar. One can enjoy boating, water rafting,elephant ride and camp on the other bank of river cauvery. There is a ferry which takes people across to the elephant camp (Rs.20/-). Elephant ride is closed on Tuesdays.

Trekking
A trekker's paradise, Coorg offers innumerable trekking trails. October to February is ideal season for trekking. The Brahmagiri ranges of South Kodagu possess the most-frequented trekking trails, where a forest trail leads from Iruppu Falls to the Brahmagiri peak. For more information contact Coorg Wildlife Society (Ph: 08272-223505, 08274-462120/ 22). Coorg Wildlife Society also conducts licenses for fishing in the Cauvery (Fee for members Rs 250 and for non-members Rs 350).