Coorg – the Scotland of India

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Coorg is a popular tourist destination, known as the Scotland of India. Coorg is home to the Kodavas. When a place is referred to as the Scotland of India, it needs no further introduction. Coorg or Kodagu is a tranquil, beautiful tourist spot in Southern Karnataka, cradled in the Western Ghats. It is famous mainly for its austere sights, varied wildlife, world-class coffee and the Kodavas, the ethnic warrior people of Coorg. Located amidst imposing mountains in Karnataka with a perpetually misty landscape, Coorg is the place to be for all nature lovers. This popular coffee producing hill station is not only popular for its beautiful green hills and the streams cutting right through them. A pristine sight among the rolling hills and lush green plains is worth admiring.

Coorg or Kodagu is a mesmerizing place. Waking up to the smell of tranquilizing coffee, and enjoying the scenic beauty of this misty land of hills and streams is enjoyable. As its popularly known as the Scotland of India, Coorg lives up to its name with a luring combination of history, climate, greenery, hills, luxury, adventure and mouth-watering cuisine. Located along the Western ghats, this popular coffee-producing hill station is well-known for its jaw-dropping ravishing scenery and opulence. Stunning mountains, the cascading water falls, and eye-feasting view of the flora and fauna makes this place a perfect holiday destination for people who need an escape from their routine, monotonous and hectic life. A preferred destination for trekking sports and white water rafting, Coorg qualifies to be the perfect location for the   thrill-seekers with trekking, rafting, rock climbing and other adventure sports.

Coorg is known for its eminent soldiers and sportsmen. Coorg has given India some top Generals and army chiefs like Gen Cariappa, Gen Thimmaya, while A Aiyappa , CN Somanna, BC Nanda, BK Bopanna and BK Chegappa servd as lieutenant Generals, the second topmost position, and sportsmen like Robin Uthappa in cricket, Ashwini Nachappa in athletics, Ashwini Ponnappa in badminton  and MP Ganesh, Len Aiyappa, BP Govinda, AB Subbaiah and Somaiya in Hocky and Joshna Chinappa in squash and many others. Over the years, the Indian hockey team always boasted of players from Coorg. But apart from these top personalities, Coorg is a top hill station in Karnataka attracting a lot of tourists.

Some even see a lot of similarities between the place and people from Himachal Pradesh and Coorg, like their physical appearance,the way they dress and the folk dances and with most men in the armed forces. The similarities end there. Unlike Himachal Pradesh in north India, Coorg is located in south, in the state of Karnataka in the Western Ghat mountain range. Scotland is well known throughout the world for its vast stretches of lush greenery, beautiful rolling hills, and numerous fresh water bodies. It comes as no surprise then that Coorg, with its misty climate and hill station environment, is known as the Scotland of India.

Kodagu (also known by its former name Coorg) is an administrative district in the Karnataka state of India. Before 1956, it was an administratively separate Coorg State, at which point it was merged into an enlarged Mysore State. In 2001 its population was 548,561, 13.74% of which resided in the district's urban centre, making it the least populous of the 30 districts in Karnataka. The nearest railway stations are Mysore Junction, located around 95 km away and Thalassery and Kannur in Kerala, at a distance of 79 km. The nearest airports are Kannur International Airport in Kerala (59 km from Kodagu) and Mangalore International Airport (117 km from Kodagu).

Kodagu is located on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats. It has a geographical area of 4,102 sq km. The district is bordered by Dakshina Kannada district to the northwest, Hassan district to the north, Mysore district to the east, Kasaragod district of Kerala in west and Kannur district of Kerala to the southwest, and Wayanad district of Kerala to the south. It is a hilly district, the lowest elevation of which is 120 metres (390 ft) above sea-level. The highest peak, Tadiandamol, rises to 1,750 metres (5,740 ft), with Pushpagiri, the second highest, at 1,715 metres (5,627 ft). The main river in Kodagu is the Kaveri (Cauvery), which originates at Talakaveri, located on the eastern side of the Western Ghats, and with its tributaries, flows the greater part of Kodagu. The district is divided into five administrative taluks: *Madikeri *Virajpet *Somwarpet *Ponnampet *Kushalnagar.

Not just the scintillating beauty, this misty landscape has a rich culture and a unique local clan – Kodavas, a martial race, also widely known for their hospitality. Ranging from admiring the beauty of this heavenly destination to a challenging trek or deep insight into the culture at the Madikeri Fort to the enthralling adventure at Abbey falls or the spicy curries to the sweet heart-melting handmade truffles, Coorg will make you oscillate to the extremes in everything, from beautiful sights, food and nature at its best.

This is indeed an ideal destination for everyone, whether you are a foodie, an explorer, an adventurer, or a tranquility seeker. Not to forget the popular local festivals -  Keil Poldu (worship of weapons), Cauvery Shankaramana (return of the river goddess) and the Huttari (harvest).

Satisfy your love for adventure as you drive along the misty roads in the winter afternoons around the hills. Though the tinge of excitement is unnerving enough to boost your enthusiasm, do take care of the safety measures while you enjoy your exhilarating journey to Coorg. Make sure you do not miss out the mesmerizing towns including Gonikoppal, Somwarpet, Kushalnagar, Pollibetta, and Virajpet to add rewarding experiences to your Coorg itinerary. 

Madikeri is a hill town in southern India. Framed by the Western Ghats mountain range, it’s known for the Raja’s Seat, a simple monument overlooking forests and rice fields. In the center, the 17th-century Madikeri Fort features two stone elephants at the entrance. Nearby, the domed Omkareshwar Temple is dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva. To the northwest, cascading Abbey Falls is surrounded by spice plantations.

Madikeri is the capital of the district and Raja's Seat park is popular with tourists. Kootu Poley dam is also popular among tourists. Omkareshwara Temple is a beautiful temple built in the Indo-Sarcenic style in Coorg. A legend is associated with the temple, built by Lingarajendra II in 1820 CE. The king put to death a pious Brahmin who dared to protest against his misdeeds. The spirit of the dead man began to plague the king day and night. On the advice of wise men, the king built this temple and installed a Shivalinga procured from Kashi, North India. St. Mark's Church is located within the Mercara Fort and was raised in 1859, by the officers and men of the East India Company. The building was funded by the Government of Madras, and placed under the Church of England in India, Diocese of Madras. The Church was closed after Indian independence, and taken over by the Government of Karnataka in 1971. The building now houses the Madikeri Fort Museum, managed by the Karnataka State Archaeological Department.

There are so many activities which you will love to try in Coorg like trekking, camping, etc to make it a memorable vacation. Some of these different activities are: - River rafting at Barapole river, Camping in Coorg, Cycling Tour To Kote Betta, Tadiandamol Trek, Mullayanagiri Trek, Zip lining, Archery,  Air rifle shooting,  Kodachadri Trek, Kumara Parvatha Trek, Microlight flying, Rock Climbing at Honnamana Kere, Mountain Biking in Chelavara, Quad Biking in Chelavara, Plantation Walk in Coorg and Sunset Jeep Drive at Mandalpatti.

Kodagu is rated as one of the top hill station destinations in India. Some of the most popular tourist attractions in Kodagu include Talakaveri, Bhagamandala, Nisargadhama, Abbey Falls, Dubare, Nagarahole National Park, Iruppu Falls, and the Tibetan Buddhist Golden Temple.

Talakaveri is the place where the River Kaveri originates. The temple on the riverbanks here is dedicated to Lord Brahma, and is one of only two temples dedicated to Brahma in India and Southeast Asia. Bhagamandala is situated at the Sangama (confluence) of two rivers, the Kaveri and the Kannika. A third river, the Sujyothi, is said to join from underground, and hence this spot is called the Triveni Sangama. Iruppu Falls is a sacred Kodagu Hindu spot in South Kodagu in the Brahmagiri hill range.

The Lakshmana Tirtha River, with the waterfalls, flows nearby and has a Rameshwara temple on its banks. It is said that this sacred river was created when Laxmana, prince of Ayodhya and younger brother of Lord Rama, shot an arrow into nearby hill, the Brahmagiri hill. Chelavara falls and Thadiandamol peak are also in South Kodagu. Nagarahole is a national park and wildlife resort.

Dubare is mainly an elephant-capturing and training camp of the Forest Department at the edge of Dubare forest; on the bank of the river Kaveri along the Kushalanagara – Siddapura road. Nisargadhama is a man-made island and picnic spot near Kushalanagara, formed by the river Kaveri. The Tibetan Buddhist Golden Temple is at Bylakuppe near Kushalnagara (Mysore district), in the Tibetan refugee settlement.

Abbey Falls is a scenic waterfall 5 km from Madikeri. Mallalli falls is 25 km from Somawarapet, downhill of the Pushpagiri hills. Mandalapatti is 28 km from Madikeri. On the way to Abbey Falls, before 3 km from Abbey Falls take right, from there 25 km. Kote Betta temple, Kote Abbey falls are also in North Kodagu. Abbi waterfall and other waterfalls are best during monsoon season, typically some days after it starts raining in June up to the end of rainy season, while there is more water gushing in the streams and rivers.

Coorg is a tourist place all year round and even the monsoon months of June-September is the favoured tourist season in Coorg since the beauty of this magnificent hill station is only enhanced by the rains.

The best time to visit Coorg is during the summer months between March and June. The best months are March and April, when the day time temperatures are comfortably hot. The valleys are shrouded in a mist, and you can go trekking, cycling or simply walking all about.

Porcupine Castle is one of the finest places to stay in Coorg. Its location in the midst of a 300-acre coffee plantation makes it one of the most breathtaking getaways in the Kodagu region.

Vatanappally Beach. Located at a distance of 17 km from Thrissur Railway station this is one of the most beautiful beaches near Coorg and is located on the coastal belt of Thrissur District. You can easily travel to this beach from the nearby city and spend a relaxing day off on its coast.

In Coorg, Kodavas speak the local language Kodagu, use Kannada as their official language and speak English, Hindi and other languages too. The South Dravidian languages - Toda, Kota, Irula, and Kurumba—are spoken by local Tribes (officially recognized indigenous peoples)

The most popular products to buy in Coorg are coffee, spices, dry fruits, honey, oranges, and chocolates. For shopping in Coorg, the best places to go to are: Kushalnagar Market, Stop n Shop and Friday Market.

The Kodava people love their pork and the delicious pandhi curry, will leave you wanting for more. Served with akki roti (rice roti) or kadambuttu (rice dumplings), the pork curry is cooked on all special occasions.

Also read:  Mangalore - a tourist destination

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