Kodagu

Scene from the Rajah's Seat, Madikeri, Kodagu, giving a panoramic view of the valleys below the hills., Kodagu/Coorg.

Anantpur Engingere village

School in Thithimathi

Ayyappa Temple in Siddapura-Kodagu

Kodagu, also called Coorg, is a district in Karnataka State. Coorg is known for its hospitability of people and beautiful scenery. This is one of the best destinations for nature lover in India. Tourists get fascinated by colourful scenery, wooded slopes, undulating landscape and quaint villages of Coorg. There are endless mountain ranges which attract thousands of tourists every year.

Cities

• 1 Kushalnagar
• 2 Gonikoppal
• 3 Madikeri — the capital of Kodagu is known as the “Scotland of India”. Millions of tourists come to visit coffee plantations, lush green forests, misty hills and some breath taking views of other areas. Madikeri is known for its amazing climate, and has a world record in the production of cardamom crop.
• 4 Somwarpet
• 5 Virajpet

Other destinations

• 1 Honnamana Kere
• 2 Nagarhole National Park — Nagarhole, in Kannada, means Snake River, but there are not too many snakes at this place. This park was created by former king for their hunting adventure. Nagarhole provides best natural habitat for different wildlife animals like tigers, elephant, panthers and many more. Mostly found animals here are wild dogs, gaur, langur and deer.

Get in

Picturesque way to Coorg

The nearest airport and railway station is Mysore, some 100 km away. But buses are frequent and connect Kodagu to nearby Karnataka cities such as Mysore and Mangalore, among others. The bus journey is about 4-5 hours away. Be prepared for a rough, winding and inexpensive ride. If you are coming from Bangalore/Mysore, it is better to rent a cab from either city. This is recommended as public transport is not very effective in Coorg district and the tourist attractions are spread across the district. Taking a cab from the city will help you get better rates as it is always difficult to bargain in tourist spots. If travelling from Bangalore/Mysore, you should plan to cover Bylanakuppe (Tibet monastery), as it is en route.

Mangalore International Airport is the nearest airport to Kodagu district.

Get around

Rickshaws (autos) and four-wheelers can be hired, the former for short pay-by-the-trip journeys and the latter by the day too. Buses connect Coorg with the rest of Karnataka state, and also ply locally (less frequent). Trekking is a healthy possibility; cycling for fitness freaks in this hilly terrain.

For local information, the only easily-available texts in Coorg appear to be Glimpses of Kodagu (Coorg): Places of Interest by Dr K.U. Ashok (available for ₹40, including at the main bus-stand bookshop), and a Kodagu Tourists Spots Map, priced at ₹30, and also available locally, including at the local tourist office near the main bus stand.

See

Abbey Falls

• Abbey falls: A big attraction is the Abbey Falls, 8 km 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. As of 2011, bathing in the falls is not allowed as the water pours into the rocky steep valley.
• Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, accessible from Hunsur, is a park and animal life is part of the country's first "bio-sphere reserve". You can see the bison, elephant, spotted deer, sambhar, barking deer, wild boar, mongoose, peacock, jungle fowl and many other birds and animals. Lucky ones get the chance of seeing panther or tiger.
• Honnamana Kere is a holy and tourist place located in Daddamalthe near Sulimalthe village 6 km away from Somwarpet town. The lake (See picture) is surrounded by beautiful landscape including Coffee estates and Cliffs. Special pooja is offered to the Goddess Honnamma on the Gowri festival every year. Thousands of devotees come to this sacred place on this day and offers pooja to the Goddess Honnamma followed by climbing the cliff. 'Bagina' which consists of sacred belongings of the Goddess is left in the lake. A new temple was built several years back with the aim to improve the place and offer better facilities to the devotees, this was possible by the financial assistance of the people living in the surrounding villages.
• Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is 30 km from Somwarpet towards Kukke Subramanya. The Wildlife Sanctuary is an apt for trekkers who want to experience the wilderness of Western Ghat. Home for different kinds of wild species like elephants, deer, wild cats etc.
• Mallalli Falls is around 25 km from Somwarpet. The exact location of Mallali falls is in Bettadahalli Gram Panchayat in Somwarpet taluk. It is an eye feasting sight of river Kumaradhara gushing through the valley and falling into a gorge, with lush green mountains around.
• St Anne's Church in Virajpet

Itineraries

Madikeri Fort: This fort was built by Mudduraja in the last quarter of the 17th century. He also built a palace inside the fort. It was rebuilt in granite by Tipu Sultan. In the north-east corner at the entrance are two life-size masonry elephants and there is a church in the south-east corner.

Raja's Seat: According to legend, the kings of Kodagu spent their evenings here. But what's unforgettable about Raja's seat is the spectacular sunset that one can enjoy from here. A sophisticated musical fountain is also here. Best timings for viewing the sunset and the musical fountains are from 5:30-7:30PM. It is not always possible to see the sunset due to cloud cover. However, if you miss the sunset, an alternative is to visit the place early morning around 7AM. No tourist crowd or blaring speakers(which play during the evening). There is a toy train next to the park which offers a small ride for ₹10. Park has an entry fee of ₹5. Try the chur-muri (bhelpuri) from one of the stalls near the park. It costs around ₹15 for a packet and they customize the taste according to your choice of spice and salt. The park charges a car park fee of ₹20.

Bagamandala - Temple and river confluence: 39 km from Madikeri, 8 km before reaching TalaKaveri, 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 on the bank of the river over here. Pilgrims visiting Bhagamandala bathe (or sprinkle water on your head) in the Triveni Sangama, confluence of rivers and worship at the temple complex. Watch out for the wooden carvings in the temple. The subrahmanya idol in the temple is a swayambu and the temple was established by a rishi named Bhagamandala. The temple serves free lunch - you get rice, sambar and buttermilk. Not a lavish lunch, but a clean,simple vegetarian option instead of the poorly maintained restaurants in the neighbourhood.

Mandalpatti- View point: about 35 km from Madekeri town, Mandalpatti viewpoint provides breath taking view of the nearby hills. The route from Madikeri is a great ride through coffee plantains. The view point is about 1600 m above sea-level. If you are looking for some adventure, you can go downhill from the view point on the opposite directions which leads to a small yet beautiful water fall. Please use all safety measures as this water fall is secluded and is almost inaccessible due to its distance from the view point.Avoid trekking down alone or in small groups

Talakaveri/Talacauvery: River Kaveri which is one of the 7 sacred rivers of Sapta Sindhus of the Hindu scriptures, originated at a place is called Talakaveri (head of Cauvery) in the Brahmagiri hills, at about 4,500 ft above sea level. This place is marked by a tirtha kundike or Brahma kundike (small spring/pond) from where the river emerges as a small perennial spring, but flows underground again to emerge a short distance away. It is about 48 km from Madikeri.

There is a shrine near the kundike and a big tank in front of it where devotees baths before offering prayers. 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 Agastya.

Legend also has 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 onsurge of water in the kundike and is considered very auspicious

From Talakaveri, 365 steps lead up to the nearby Brahmagri peak, where the 7 great sages called the Sapta Maharishis had performed a special yagna. From the peak, as well as on the drive to Talakaveri, tourists can enjoy a good view of the misty blue Brahmagiri hills. On a clear and sunny day you can view the glittering of the Mangalore sea just before sunset.

Dubare Elephant Camp, southwest of Kushalnagar, is mainly an elephant capturing and training camp of the Forest Department, at the edge of Dubare forest. The tamed elephants attend to various jobs during the day and in the mornings they come down to the river to bathe and to be scrubbed clean by their mahouts.

Iruppu Falls: There is a sacred spot called Iruppu in south Kodagu on the Brahmagiri range of hills. River Lakshmana-tirtha flows nearby. Legend says that Rama and Lakshmana, warrior Gods, passed this way while searching for Rama's consort, Sita. Rama asked Lakshmana to fetch some drinking water for him. Lakshmana shot an arrow into the Brahmagiri hills and brought into being river Lakshmanatirtha. Also the river is 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 river descends perpendicularly into a great cataract known as the Iruppu Falls. This place is believed to possess the power to cleanse one's sins and is visited by thousands of devotees from far and near on Shivaratri day. There is temple dedicated to Sri Ram, surrounded by paddy fields, from where it is a climb up to the falls through natural forest. This place can be visited from Gonikopal on the way to Nagerhole National Park by taking a detour after Srimangala, situated in the Kutta Road.

Do

The best things to do in Kodagu is outdoor sports. Fondly called the Scotland of India or even the Switzerland of India, it's a lush, green blanket covering ranges of hills, and valleys, great for mountain biking and trekking.

Of course, if you could also come here for some time to cool off, or as a break from the usual tourist hot spots. Coorg has various options for adventure lovers. Some of the attractions are white water rafting, trekking, rock climbing, [mountain hiking, and dirt track racing.

• The white water rafting is from Dubare Elephant Camp to Cauvery Nisargadhama.
• White water rafting on the Barapole river.
• Trekking: Kodagu is one of the best choices for the trekkers. Tourists can travel around the Coorg, enjoying the amazing natural beauty in the monsoon season. Prominent trekking points include Thadiyandamol (1908 m); Kumara Parvata (Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary) (1870 m); Kotebetta (1620 m); Choma Kundu (1620 m); Brahamagiri (1340 m); Nishani Motte (1270 m); Tungapare (1240 m); and Mandalapatti (637 m).
• Campfire at Beelur Golf Club, Beelur, Somwarpet, Coorg (8 km from Somwarpet town). Beelur Golf Club is one of the oldest clubs in the town. The lush green golf ground attracts many tourists and movie makers. Also famous for kitty party and Campfire. 
• Trekking, hiking & rock climbing, Honnamana Kere, Somwarpet, Coorg. Honnamana Kere is a hotspot for trekking & rock climbing. Adjacent cliffs (Gavi betta and Mori betta) are favourites of adventure lovers. If you prefer to be relaxed you can take a hike in the coffee plantations. 
• Boating or fishing in Honnamana Kere Lake, Honnamana Kere, Somwarpet, Coorg. The relaxed atmosphere at the Honnamana Kere Lake is exquisite for visitors for boating & fishing. 
• Kodagu White Water Rafting (http://kodaguwhitewaterrafting.com/). 
• Massage at Ayurjeevan Ayurveda Hospital, Madikeri. 
• Waterfall rappelling. Waterfall rappelling in Chelavara is an amazing experience as you climb down from the rock. You will be held by thick ropes and also will be given protective gears. The height is about 140 ft to 150 ft. 
• Encounter Coorgi crops. Look out for cultivated coffee, pepper, cardamom, orange, local mangoes, honey, garcinia gumbigattat (kachampuli), authentic local cuisine, anthurium flowers and paddy. Resorts are a great place to stay in the plantation areas. 

Buy

• Traditional Kodagu jewels and jewellery. Traditional Kodagu jewels like Kokkethathi or Jomale are available locally. 
• Made-in-Coorg honey, ☏ +91 8272-228761. Available in local shops. See also Coorg Ag-Mark Honey. Produced by the Coorg Progressive Bee-Keepers Co-operative Society, Honey Shop, near Post Office, Madikeri. 
• Buy spices. Pepper, cardamom, and dry fruits. 
• Coorgi costumes and traditional weapons. Available locally. 

Eat

Kadubu dish of Coorg

Coorgi food is an elaborate mix of Indian pepper, curry leaves, and, simply putting it, a lot of other magical ingredients. With a tendency to be a little too hot for the foreign tourist, it does have a great potential to compete with Andhra cuisine. Since the people of Kodagu have a warrior background, their food is a little different from the mainly vegetarian cuisine of the rest of India with an abundance of pork, chicken and meat in it. Many dishes reflect a melding of meat, particularly meat and pork. Stews are common, and rice is the main staple diet.

• Kadubu is a local dish of Coorg/kodagu, a district in the state of karnataka, India. This plate contains Kadubu (steamed Rice Balls) with some Chutney and Kadli saar (chana curry) and the toasted Bread with Butter.
• Locally-made chocolate. Available in local shops. 
• Spicy Coorgi food. Pandi curry, akki roti, kadubittu, paapittu, idumbalittu, pork pepper dry. 
• Traditional Coorgi oranges. 
• Coorg Cuisinette, for traditional Kodava dishes, Velakki Krupa Building, Opp Head Post Office, Main Rd, Madikeri, ☏ +91 9448127358. 

Drink

• Homemade Wine & Tody. Homemade wines are available in local shops across Coorg and toddy is available in the local plantations. The wines come in differing colours, from bright green (betelnut wine!) to pinkish. 
• Coffee. Coffee is widely available all over Coorg/Kodagu. In fact, coffee is widely grown in this region. You can also take back home small coffee packets. 

Stay safe

If you are visiting Coorg in wet weather seasons, beware of leeches especially while walking through wet grass and in bathrooms/toilets. Watch out for traffic (locals warn about "overloaded lorries") along the main highways leading into Madikeri, and the winding roads of the region. Speedbreakers on some roads tend to be unmarked. Wild animals are reported on some roads at night, and domesticated herds by day too. B.S.N.L. (Cellone) mobile connections are available at many places in this district.

Go next

• Hassan

• Dakshina Kannada
• Kukke Subramanya
• Krishnarajanagara Paddy field paradise
• Udupi