• About Coorg
Coorg is also known as 'Kodagu'. This is one of the most visited tourist places in Karnataka. The place is popularly known as ‘the Scotland of India’. An ideal place for outdoor activities such as trekking, angling and white-water rafting. The misty hills, lush teakwood and sandalwood forests, and acres of tea and coffee plantations makes Coorg an ideal tourist place to visit.
[caption id="attachment_973" align="alignnone" width="300"]
Coorg[/caption]
• History
Coorg has an extremely interesting history that Queen Victoria of England was the godmother of a Coorg princess. In 1834, Coorg was annexed by the British, after that the last Raja of Coorg, Chikka Veerarajendra was taken by the British to Vellore in Tamil Nadu. Then the Raja & his family were taken to Varanasi in 1835. He was the first Indian Raja to sail from India to England. In 1852, Chikka Veerarajendra, with two of his wives and his favorite daughter Gowramma sailed to England. After his death in 1859, Queen Victoria was the godmother of princess Gowramma. After the annexation of Coorg by the British in 1834, till the Indian Independence in 1947, Coorg was directly ruled by the British. Coorg was recognized as part ' C' state by the Indian Constitution and an elected government with its own chief minister came into force in 1952. During the reorganization of states in November, 1956, Coorg was merged with the former state of Mysore. Now, Coorg is a district of Karnataka state.
• Destinations
The main toursist destinations in Coorg are:
1. Madikeri: This place is the district headquarters of Coorg. There are many interesting tourist spots in Madikeri. The city was founded by Muddu Raja in 1681 and named as Muddu Rajakeri which later became Madikeri. The main tourist spots in Madikeri are Omkareshwara Temple, the Gaddige (Rajas' tombs), the Fort, the former Palace and the Raja Seat.
2. Talacauvery: This is the birthplace of the sacred river Kaveri. It is located on the slopes of Brahmagiri Hill. About 44 kms from Madikeri. This place is known for its natural beauty as well as a pilgrimage center. In the Cauvery Sankramana day, the holiest national day of the Coorgs, the people of Coorg take a holy dip in a nearby pond and take home the holy water from the small pond to perform worship. On the foothills of Talacauvery is the Bhagamandala. It is believed that this is the place where the two sacred rivers sacred rivers of Cauvery and Kannike and a third river Sujyothi meet. The Bhagandeshwara temple is located on the banks of the two rivers.
3. Rajiv Gandhi National Park (Nagarahole): The Nagarahole meaning snake stream in Kannada. The sanctuary derived its name from a serpentine river which flows through the park. The Park is spread over an area of 571 square km in the districts of Coorg and Mysore. The inhabitants of the park are elephants and tigers, leopard, wild dog, sambar, barking deer, sloth bear, wild boar, bison, mouse deer, slender loris, jackal, langur, porcupine, Malabar squirrel, striped hyena and the four-horned antelope.
4. Irupu Falls: This is both a tourist spot and a pilgrimage centre. This falls is located in Kurchi village near to Rajiv Gandhi National Park.
5. Virajpet: The city is located 32 kms from Madikeri. The main landmark here is the St. Anne's Church built in the Gothic style.
6. Kushalnagar: The main tourist spots in Kushalnagar are Cauvery Nisargadhama, Bylekuppe, Valnur Fishing Camp, and Dubare Forest. Cauvery Nisargadhama is an island situated 28 kms from Madikeri. Bylekuppe is a Tibetan settlement in South India. This is one of the largest Tibetan settlements in South India. Valnur Fishing Camp is an ideal place for nature lovers.
• Things to do
The main activities you can do in Coorg includes:
1. Bus Safari in Nagarahole National Park.
Timings: All days of the week
6:00 AM - 9:00 AM
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
2. Jeep Safari in Nagarhole National Park
3. Trekking at Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary
Timings: All days of the week
7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
4. Trekking at Thandiyendamol
Timings: All days of the week
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
5. Rock Climbing at Honnamana Kere, Somwarpet
Timings: All days of the week
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
6. White-water rafting at Dubare
Timings: All days of the week
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
7. Boating and Fishing in Honnamana Kere Lake
Timings: All days of the week
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
8. Barapole River Rafting
9. Visiting Dubare Elephant Camp
10. Angling at Valnoor
11. Visiting Coorg Adventure Club
12. Campfire at Beelur Golf Club
• Restaurants
The best restaurants in Coorg are listed below:
1. Raintree
Behind Town Hall, Madikeri
2. Taste Of Coorg
Near Town Hall, Madikeri
3. Coorg Cuisine
Stuart Hill, Madikeri
4. Coffee Cup
Opposite Nigargadama, Kushalnagar
5. The Fort Mercara
Kodava Samaja complex , Main road, Madikeri
6. Cafe Hay Shack
Virajpet Taluk, South Coorg
7. Rangoli Multicuisine Restaurant
Kushalnagar
8. Sri Krishna Bhavan
Junior College Road, Madikeri
9. The Falls at The Tamara Coorg
Kabbinakad Estate, Yavakapadi Village, Madikeri
10. Caravan The Multi Cusine Restaurant
B.M. Road, Kushal Nagar