Coorg Forest Gorge










HEADLINES:  

COORG

INTRODUCTION

Coorg is popularly referred as the Scotland of India and was originally called as Kodagu.Coorg is nothing but dense forest on steep hill which attracts lot of tourists.Coorg is the right place for a holiday destination for it accommodates misty hills, lush forest, acres and acres of tea and coffee plantation, orange groves, undulating streets and breathtaking views.Coorg known for its scenic beauty is not only the birthplace of the Cauvery river but it is also the from where India's bravest soldiers were born.Coorg is a place which has plantations like coffee and sandal wood trees and in the Karnataka state it is the biggest producer of coffee.

ORIENTATION

Coorg is located in the south-western part of Karnataka bordering Kerala. It is oriented towards 12.25 N, and 75.44.

HISTORY

The history of Coorg is not very vast for in the 9th and 10th centuries it was ruled by the Kingdom of Gangas, followed by the Cholas in the 11th century.

Changalvas were feudatory to both the above dynasties but they were independent till 14th century since Hoysalas overthrew Cholas in the 12th century. Changalvas accepted the supremacy Of Hoysalas from 14th to 16th century. Later in 1785, Tipu Sultan ruled the place and soon became under the control of the British.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The best time to visit Coorg is between April to November

FAIRS & FESTIVALS

ARMS KEILPOLDU

This festival highlights the weapons which are polished and worshipped before reuse and is celebrated anywhere between the months of June to September.

KAVERI SHANKARAMANA

This festival falls in the month of October and it concentrates around the river Cauvery.

PUTHARI

Puthari is the harvest festival, celebrated in the months of November or December, accompanied by folk songs and dances, performed by the different villages at their temples.

PLACE OF WORSHIP

OMKARESHWARA TEMPLE

The presiding deity of this temple is Lord Shiva which was built in the 18th century and is nearly 200 years old.

It was built by King Lingarajendra and is situated at a distance of about 1 km from Coorg.

The architecture of Omkareshwara Temple is a blend of Islamic and Gothic styles.

BAGAMANDALA TEMPLE

The Bagamandala Temple at the confluence of the Cauvery-Sujyothi Rivers is built in the multi-roofed Kerala style.

PADI IGGUTAPPA TEMPLE

Padi Iggutappa Temple is considered to be one of the most sacred temples of the Kodavas who are the dominating community of the Coorg area. This was built around 1791 in the Nalnad Palace at a distance of about 2 km by road from Kakkabe.

PLACES OF INTEREST

TADEVENDAMOL

Tadevendamol gives a breath taking sight of Arabian Sea in distance and is supposed to be one of the highest peak in this region.It is one of the best area for trekking.

NAGARHOLE NATIONAL PARK



This is a wildlife sanctuary and it accommodates different species of animals which draws lot of tourists.

Nagarhole National Park is an ideal place for wildlife enthusiasts.




RAJA'S SEAT



This Raja's Seat is in a slightly elevated place close to the center of the town where the kings of Kodagu come here to see the sunset.

It is a beautiful spot presenting a panoramic view of the area.


KAVERI NISARGADHAMA

This is a picnic spot situated at a distance of about 36 km from Coorg.

It is an island in the middle of the river connected by a rope bridge, and it is quite exciting reaching there.

It also entertains the tourists by boating and elephant rides.

Apart from these rides there is an elephant training camp run by the Forest Department at Dubare.

HARANGI DAM

Another tourist attraction of this place includes the Harangi Dam.

ABBI FALLS

This is one of the most attracted tourist destination in Coorg and is located in the midst of coffee plantations, at a distance of about 7 km away from Coorg.

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.

IRUPPU FALLS

Apart from the waterfall this is also a famous pilgrim point. There are folklores which says 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. There is also a Rama temple in the vicinity.

TALAKAVERI

This is the origin of river Kaveri on the eastern slopes of Brahmagiri peak at 1350 metres altitude; about 8 km by road from Bhagamandala.An enclosure around the spring called Gundige is connected to a small pond beside.

The water from the pond goes underground and comes out after about one kilometer down the hill. There are three shrines above the spring and birds eye view of west-coast from the hill range.

BRAHMAGRI PEAK

The steps from Talakaveri lead to the Brahmagri peak. It is believed that the 7 great sages called the Sapta Maharishis had performed a special yagna here.

LITTLE TIBET

This place houses the refugees from Tibet and it has few interesting sites to be visited here like the Namdroling Monastery, and 2 km from there two more monasteries of Sera Jhe and Sera Mey at the Sera village.

THING TO DO

TREKKING

Coorg has number of trekking locations like the hills of Brahmagiri, Irrupa Falls and Pushpagiri, the second higest peak of Kodagu and Tadiandamol. Trekking

GOLF

Avid golfers can tee off at the 9-hole course of Virajpet.

ANGLING

Valanoor is the backwater of the river Cauvery. It draws fishing lovers from all over India. You can try and catch the famous mahaseer and the best season is from October to May.

WHITE WATER RAFTING

There are few good camps around Coorg that offer rafting down the Cauvery river.

For 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.

EAT OUTS

Coorg is famous for its unique cuisine.

1.Santrupthi, Hotel Rajadarshan.
Near Raja's Seat, Madikeri

2.East End Hotel
G.T.Road (Mysore road), Opp. Protestant Church, Madikeri.

3.Hotel Choice
Jr. College Road, Near Pvt Bus stand, Madikeri.

4.Coorg Cuisinette
located below the KSRTC bus stand

The other popular restaurants include Alath-Cad Holiday Retreat,The Granary and Hotel Coorg International.

 

ACCOMODATION

1.Alath-Cad Estate Holiday Homes Ammathi,
Coorg, Karnataka.
08274 - 252190/252589

2.Kadkani River Resort,
Ammathi, Vontiangadi, South Coorg,
Karnataka-571211.
Ph:08274 254186, 08274 254187

3.Hotel Coorg International
Convent Road,
Madikere
PH: 08272 - 228071 / 73

4.Hotel Heritage Resort
50/3, 1st Monnangeri Village, Galibeedu, Madikeri - 571201,Kodagu District, Karnataka.
Ph : 08272-265794, 95, 96

5.Hotel Misty Woods
COORG, KARNATAKA
TELEPHONE: 09448406405,09448448629,+91-8272,238561,238874, 238875

6.Greenline Stays,
Katekeri Village Road,
Madikeri - Mangalore Highway
Madikeri
Ph: 08272-315907, 220595, 9448721252

7.Mahalakshmi Residency
Aiyappa Swamy Road,
Beside B.S.N.L Building,
Kushalnagar- 571234,
Karnataka,
India
08276 - 274622

8.Hotel Hill View.
Hill Road, Madikeri,
Kodagu District,
Karnataka
08272-223808/2210067.

Travel Guide

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Travel Information

Airlines   Buses   Railways   Hotels   Eat Outs   Cabs

SHOPPING

Coorg is famous its own typical Coorgi silk saris. Apart from this the tourists can go for shopping including Coorgi spices, coffee, and honey. Coorg is most known for its coffee produce, local spices like nutmeg, pepper and cardamom, available at the Friday Market. You can pick up some of the locally produced honey from Kakkabe. The shopping center at Kushal Nagar is an excellent place for browsing and bargaining for Tibetan artifacts.

HOW TO REACH

BY AIR

The Mangalore Airport is located 135 kms away. Hire a private vehicle or the bus shuttle to reach Coorg.  

BY RAIL

The nearest railheads are at Mysore and Mangalore. These railheads further link Coorg with all major cities of Karnataka. Head off to Coorg in a private vehicle or bus after arriving at any of the railway stations. 

BY ROAD

Good road networks connect Coorg with Mysore, Nagarhole, Tellicherry, and Bangalore (via Mysore). The route via Mysore is the frequented route where the stretch is scenic and the drive through the coffee plantations is enchanting. The bus service in Madikeri has connections to almost every place in Coorg.