Coorg: The Scotland of India

About Coorg

Coorg has been called the 'Scotland of India' and 'Kashmir of the South' by the people who have visited it and been enchanted. It is beautiful hill country most of which is between 3000 and 4000 feet high. The tallest mountain peak is around 6000 feet high. Kodagu (formerly Coorg) is a treat for the eye, with its' green forests, greener coffee estates and pale green rice valleys. Coffee plants need both heavy and light shade to grow well, therefore, most coffee estates resemble dappled forests. Cardamom (the smaller variety) and black pepper are also grown alongside coffee. Thus, a walk around a coffee estate is a fragrant experience! Birthplace of the River Cauvery and home of some of India's bravest soldiers, Kodagu is noted for its scenic beauty. Hiking, cross-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 the undulating paddy fields and neat rows of coffee bushes resplendent under the blue skies.

The Kodavas or Coorgs (not Coorgis) are a robust, martial race famous for the generals and beauties it has produced in plenty. Said to be the descendants of the Greeks (Alexander's soldiers), they are fiercely independent. They were never conquered - not by Tipu Sultan, nor by the British. And so, to this day, they retain the privilege of being allowed to carry firearms without a license.

Unfurl the past

Little is known about the early history of this fertile land. From AD 1600 onwards, the Lingayat rajas ruled over Coorg and established their capital at Madikeri where they built a mud fort. The Kodavas, as the people of Coorg are called, harried the Mysore ruler Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan through sporadic rebellions. Finally, in AD 1785, Tipu marched into Coorg with a large army and devastated their little kingdom. Four years later, with the help of the British, Coorg regained its independence and Raja Veerarajendra set about the task of reconstruction. In AD 1834, the British took over power in Coorg. They impeached the last ruler Chikkaveera Rajendra and sent him into exile.

Explore nature in the arms of mountains that embrace Coorg!

» Talacauvery : This forms the source of the river Cauvery. It is 45 km from Madikeri and also offers a spectacular view. On Sankaramana day in October, thousands of people gather to see a miracle, the sudden bubbling and frothing of the small well, which symbolizes the appearance of the Goddess Cauvery. Taking a bath here on this occasion is said to give long term physical and spiritual benefits.

» Madikeri or Mercara : This charming hill station is the district headquarters of Kodagu and situated at an elevation of over 5,000 ft (1,525 m) above sea level. The Fort at Madikeri is very popular and has witnessed many fierce battles of the past. The 19th century fort offers a panoramic view of Madikeri from its walls. Inside is a chapel which has turned into a little museum.

» The Temple at Bhagamandala : This temple is built in the multi-roofed Kerala style. There are various small shrines dedicated to different gods inside the temple. It's a scenic 36 km drive from Madikeri.

» The Omkareshwar temple : Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it has a mix of Islamic and Gothic style architecture.

» The Raja's Seat : According to legend, the kings of Kodagu spent their evenings here. You can view spectacular sunsets from here.

» Nagarhole National Park : With over 250 varieties of birds, panthers, tigers, and flying squirrels, this park is made up of teak, rosewood, sandalwood, silver oak etc. Jeeps and elephants are available to tourists for transport. You can reach the park from Mysore via Hunsur and Murkal.