Kodagu City Travel Guide -
Karnatka
General Information Of
Kodagu
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Area 4,102 sq. km
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Population 488,455
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Altitude 1,525 m above sea
level
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Languages Kannada,
Malayalam, English
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Best Time to Visit
November to April
STD Code 08272
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Introduction to city Kodagu - In
Karnatka
Coorg or Kodagu, as the people of this little district in
Karnataka call their land, is a different facet of India:
unsullied, beautiful, green, and exciting with the lovely blue
Western Ghats, dense forested valleys, gurgling mountain
streams and waterfalls. It is the land of coffee bushes
resplendent with red berries, cardamom fields covered with white
and purple blossoms, old silver oak trees laden with huge hives,
and of a sturdy handsome people called the Coorgis who charm by
their hospitality and cuisine, their intriguing customs and the
reverence with which they worship their river, the Cauvery.
Nestled in the Western Ghats, near Mysore in the Indian state of
Karnataka, Coorg is the birthplace of the River Cauvery and home
of some of India/’s bravest soldiers like General Thimayya and
Field Marshal Cariappa. Hiking across the country, or simply
motoring down mountain trails in Coorg, the visitor encounters
panoramic views of the morning mist rolling down thickly wooded
hill slopes and undulating paddy fields and neat rows of coffee
bushes resplendent under the blue skies.
While addressing a public meeting in Madikeri (the district
headquarters of Coorg), the late Prime Minister of India, Pandit
Jawaharlal Nehru remarked /”Coorg has given great Generals to
the Indian Army. It is noted for its choicest coffee and if I am
permitted to add one more to these specialties, I can mention
that Coorg is famous for its beautiful and comely women./”
Sightseeing : Places to visit in destination - Kodagu
Coorg is a region of scattered villages and hamlets, with a few
townships standing out. Postcard pretty with their red-tiled
cottages and purple flowering shrubs, the Kodagu towns have an
old-world charm about them. Madikeri is a little hill
station and the headquarters of this beautiful district. The
city has a historic fort, a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva
and Vishnu, and some beautiful viewpoints such as Raja/’s
Seat. Around Madikeri, there are many recreational and
pilgrimages such as Abbey and Irupu Falls.
Kodagu Sightseeing : Places
to visit in destination Kodagu
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Places to visit in the city Kodagu |
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MADIKERI FORT - Kodagu
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The fort was initially constructed of mud, only to be
replaced later by a stronger one in stone by Tipu Sultan,
who ruled for a brief period over this region in the 18th
century. Tipu/’s fort is an essential feature of the town
even today.
Inside the fort wall stands the palace of the Lingayat
rulers. It is a simple double-storey structure, quite
unlike the grand palaces one sees elsewhere in India. Two
elephants, built of cement and mortar, stand in the
compound. The elephants have an interesting story behind
them. The king use to be woken up every morning by two of
his favourite elephants trumpeting under his window. One
day he sent word to the mahout that he wanted to sleep
late. The order never reached the man and he brought the
elephants at the usual time and woke up the king. The king
was furious. He had the elephants and the mahout killed.
Later he regretted his action and got images of the
elephants constructed. They are not much to look at, but
then one shouldn/’t be looking for sculptural excellence
in Coorg. |
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RAJA/’S SEAT - Kodagu
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If you have come away to enjoy the natural beauty in Coorg,
come to Raja/’s Seat, a favourite spot of the kings from
where one can see the sweep of the mist-covered blue hills
and valleys with green fields. The kings used to sit here
every evening enjoying the sunset and beauty of Coorg.
Today, the area around Raja/’s Seat has been developed
into a public garden. |
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OMKARESHWARA TEMPLE -
Kodagu
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The Omkareshwara Temple, dedicated to both Shiva and
Vishnu, is almost 200 years old and is a surprising blend
of Islamic and Gothic styles. |
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ABBEY FALLS - Kodagu
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The picturesque Abbey Falls, which is 8 km from Madikeri,
is a good place for picnics. However, no regular transport
is available to this place and private arrangements need
to be made for a trip to the falls. |
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IRUPPU FALLS - Kodagu
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Iruppu, 91 km from Madikeri, is a well-known pilgrim
centre, associated with Rama, hero of the Ramayana. A
Shiva Temple stands on the bank of the River Ramathiratha.
On Mahashivratri day, thousands of pilgrims take a dip in
the river. |
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Excursions : Places nearby city -
Kodagu
It would take at least a week to explore the entire Coorg area.
However, there are other places nearby too which should not be
missed on a trip to Coorg. Talcauvery is the place where the
River Cauvery originates.
Nagarhole National Park
is one of the better-managed Indian wildlife sanctuaries. Coorg
being the major producer of coffee and oranges in India, it is
but imperative that main centre of research in the production of
coffee and oranges, the Central Orange and Coffee Research
Institute is located in this district.
Kodagu Excursion : Places
nearby Kodagu - Karnatka
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Places to visit nearby destination - Kodagu |
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Central Orange and Coffee
Research Station
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The Central Orange and Coffee Research Station, 24 km from
Madikeri, is on the Madikeri-Siddapur-Virajpet road and is
run by the government. The best months for a visit to this
centre are March and April as it is coffee blossom time in
Coorg. One can see the coffee bushes sheltered from the
sun/’s direct rays by tall sentinel-like trees over which
dark green pepper vines trail. Stretches of these
now-white flowers exude a heady fragrance and their
collective magnificence is an unforgettable sight. When
the blossoms give way to berries, the bushes are cropped.
The cherry red fruit is then pulped, the separated coffee
seeds dried and sent to the curing works. |
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Nagarhole National Park
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The Nagarhole National Park (93 km) provides excellent
opportunity for wildlife viewing. Here, one can see the
swift-footed spotted deer, bison, elephant, wild boar and
jackal, different species of monkey, and with luck even
the mighty tiger. Nagarhole, the game sanctuary, covers an
area of 284 sq km with tropical and deciduous forests. The
state transport corporation provides transport inside the
sanctuary. |
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Talacauvery
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Talacauvery is 47 km from Madikeri and 9 km from
Bhagamandala. Located 145.7 metres above sea level, it is
the source of the River Cauvery. It is believed that on
Tula Sankaramana day usually on October 17, the spring
gushes forth with extra velocity. |
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