Hailed as the ‘Scotland of India’ and the ‘Kashmir of the South’, Coorg is one of the most popular hill stations. Nestled amidst the lush greeneries of the Western Ghats at an altitude close to 3500 feet above sea level, Coorg is a haven and the ideal place for resting and relaxing.
Coorg boasts of the greenest sceneries, waft of innumerable coffee plantations, religious sites and several other spots that kick up a sense of adventure in every individual. Complementing the landscape, the weather in Coorg is very pleasant and can help you de-stress and unwind.
Talakaveri, from where the Kaveri River originates, Nisargadhama, a man-made island and a favored holiday resort, Iruppa and Abbey Falls, Nagarhole National Park, Dubare Elephant Camp – each of these can be an adventure destination by themselves. Coorg is also famous for its huge coffee and spice estates, which offer a special experience to tourists.
The Kodagu district comprises different communities – Kodava, Tulu, Gowda, Moplah out of which the largest is the Kodava community, both economically and politically. The economy depends on agriculture, coffee plantations, forestry and tourism.
Origin of Kodagu
Coorg or Kodagu (originally called Kodaimalenadu) means ‘dense forest on steep hill’. There are many versions behind the origin of the name Kodagu. According to the Puranas, Kodava is the redefined 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 Cauveri, where ‘kod’ means ‘give’ and ‘ava’ means ‘mother’ – which means Cauvery is the ‘mother to the people’. Few believe the 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.
Sight seeing & trekking
Popular places in Coorg include Kakkabe, which is also the largest producer of honey in south Asia. One of the main religious sites here is the ancient Omkareshwara Temple. Nagarhole National Park is another popular tourist attraction that is home to a variety of wildlife such as elephants and panthers.
December to May is the best time to trek in Coorg. Tourists can contact local organizations like the Coorg Adventure Club, which organizes regular trekking expeditions for interested travelers to prominent peaks like Brahmagiri, Pushpagiri, Mandalpatti and Tadiandamol. For white water rafting, holidaymakers can visit Barapole in Coorg.
Madikeri has an array of sightseeing spots. There is the Madikeri fort which was built in the 19th century and consists of a palace, chapel and prison. The fort overlooks the town, and the view is breathtaking in the night. There is even the Raja’s seat. It is believed that all the Kings in the Kodagu vicinity would come and spend their free time here. Tourists love to watch the sunset in the evening.
The Abbey falls is about 8 km from Madikeri. It is the perfect place to spend an entire day, have a picnic, and laze around. Bhagamandala is a temple that is built at the junction of the Cauvery, Kanika, and Sujyothi rivers. It has a number of shrines all built under one roof. There is also the Talacauvery, which is a very auspicious spot as it is the site of the origin of the river Cauvery.
Nisargadhama is a very serine picnic spot, where you can enjoy the view with some delicious delicacies. Trekking is one of the major activities at Madikeri, and some of the trekking spots are Thadiyandamole, Pushpagiri, Brahmagiri, and Nishanimotte and many more.
Bird watching
Coorg is touted to be a haven for ornithologists and bird-lovers alike. The Indian sub-continent accounts for over 2060 species of birds, and the fact is that Coorg or Kodagu contributes as much as 25% of the overall bird population in this regard.
Nagarahole is considered the best place to spot several species of birds, including some that have Coorg as their origin like Malabar Trogons, Nilgiri Laughing-Thrushes, Great Black Woodpeckers, and Malabar Whistling-Thrushes.
Abbey Falls attracts many birds, and this is also a very popular picnic spot that bird watchers can visit. The falls are located around 7 km from the town of Madikeri, considered to be the capital of the district of Coorg.
Reaching Coorg
• By Air: Coorg is located 120 km from Mysore airport, 136 km from Mangalore Airport and 250 km from Bangalore Airport.
• By Rail: The nearest station is 55 km away in Mysore. A journey from the railway station to Coorg can be timed at approximately two and a half hours.
• By Road: Well laid and networked roads are a blessing for city-folk to reach Coorg. It is around 250 km from Bangalore.
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