Coorg/Madikeri
Madikeri (Coorg) in Karnataka India.It is also called “Scotland of India”.This place lies in western ghats covered with forest and mountains all around. Especially coffee plantations. The best time to go is between monsoon and winters. In every 1 km, you will find shops selling homemade chocolates, organic honey and all sorts of spices. It is basically a small town in the Kodagu district of Karnataka. The main spice grown here is pepper and cardamom.
Raja seat viewpoint is at the heart of the town and said to be the place from where kings and their men use to see sunset and sunrise. A small structure is present. And surrounded by a beautiful garden and fountain which was built later for tourism. The best time is in the evening just before the sunset.
Abbey Falls is a scenic waterfall 5 km from Madikeri. The sight of water falling from a cliff with a height of 70 feet, surrounded by lush greenery. The waterfall is a combination of many streams that come together and fall into a pool of water that flows and merge into River Kaveri.
Mandalpatti is also known as ‘Mugilu-Peth’ or ‘Mugilu-Pete’ which means Market of Cloud (Mist), crowned at a height of 1600m and is a part of Pushpagiri reserve forest. Situated at a distance of 18 km from Coorg, it takes around 56 minutes to reach there. The view from the top is just breathtaking and awesome. Enjoy sunrise which is a heavenly abode feels surrounded by cloud and mist everywhere. The Forest Department here encourages all visitors to undertake this 4x4 jeep riding experience and enjoy the bumpy and rocky ride. Personal vehicles are stopped at 4.5 km before the viewpoint and you have to trek on uneven rocky ground. Plastic bottle and eatables are not allowed. It is advisable to wear a sweater and caps because it very windy there. Gradually evolving as one of the best tourist spots in Coorg.
Namdroling Monastery is situated at a 34 km distance from Coorg. Spread over a land stretched around 80 square feet, this place is carved out from bamboo. This place is amongst Mysore’s largest teaching centres where you learn every aspect of Tibetan Buddhism. Amongst locals, this shrine is famous as the Golden Temple. The architecture of Namdroling Monastery is as attractive as its spiritual significance.
Mallalli Falls is one of the best falls in this area, seated 26 km off Somwarpet. It starts from Kumaradhara River takes an extreme dive of more than 1000 m and at the end joins the Arabian Sea. From Madikeri, it is an approx a 2-hour drive. Before going make up your mind that you have to take 700 stairs to go down near the falls and coming up is a big task so at least you should give three hours, but the place is worth going to.
Omkareshwar Temple Built-in the 19th century, in 1820, by King Lingarajendra II presenting an interesting architecture that attracts not only devotees but everyone. Its unique blend of Gothic and Islamic architecture is worth exploring. This temple is situated at the heart of the city. As per the legend behind the temple, King Lingarajendra II for his political gains had killed a brahmin who has noticed his misdoings. However, later the spirit of a brahmin is said to bother the king for his cruelty. The King started having nightmares which troubled him to a great extent. Brahmins advised him to built a temple to attain mental peace by appeasing the Brahmin’s spirit. The King followed the advice and brought the holy Shiva Lingam from Varanasi(Kashi)and named Omkareshwara and installed it in the temple.
Talacauvery is the place where the Cauvery river starts to flow. This place is situated on Brahmagiri hill and takes around a 1hour drive time from Madikeri. The best time to visit is in the morning. And a temple is there and on the premises, a small kund is there which is the starting point of the Cauvery river. In between your way from Madikeri to Talacauvery, Sri Bhagmandala temple is situated and at this place, two river tributaries join Cauvery they are Kannike and Sujyothi river. This confluence is said to be scared so before going to talacauvery people take a dip and then proceed. At this temple lord, shiva is worshipped as it is said that the river Cauvery comes from the hair lock of shiva.
Nisagradhma Forest park is an island surrounded by the Kaveri river. It is situated quite close to Kushalnagar and a 40-minute drive from Coorg stretched across a land cover of 64 acres. Nisargadhama is covered all over with a thick foliage cover of sandalwood and teak trees and bamboo groves. The island is accessible through a hanging rope bridge. There are deer, rabbits, peacocks and a children’s playground as well as an orchidarium. There were many fun activities and fun rides and at the entrance, you will find various chocolate shops, spice shops and some souvenir shops as well and lots of food stalls. Boating is one of the main attractions. It also has a forest department-run gift shop, guest house and treetop bamboo cottages.
Dubare elephant camp is mainly an elephant training camp of the Forest Department at the edge of Dubare forest on the bank of the river Kaveri. There are opportunities for trekking, elephant interaction, and stay. These are hosted by Jungle Lodges and Resorts Ltd. (JLR). JLR is the eco-tourism wing of the Tourism Department of Karnataka.
Gaddige is also known as Raja’s tomb is a popular 19th-century monument located in Mahadevpet near Madikeri. It is only a 2 km ride from the Madikeri bus stand. Dedicated to the royal members of the Kodava clan. The beautiful Raja’s Tomb is built in the Indo-Saracenic (Islamic) style of architecture. Gaddie is the only Indian monument housing a Shiva Linga alongside tombs as it was built for Hindu kings. The complex houses three tombs out of which the central one is the largest.
