THE ROAD TO RELAXATION

Coorg

The Scotland Of India

A numerous beautiful sites are sprinkled all through the valleys of Coorg. Sriniketana home stay is centrally located to most of the tourist spots. All the site-seeing spots are easily accessible either by an two-wheeler or by an jeep. At Sriniketana, one Royal Enfield motor-bike and a modified A/c 4×4 drive Mahindra Thar is available for hire.

According to legend, the kings used to relish the sunset and beauty of Coorg. This small pavilion at the western end of Madikeri has breathtaking views of the valley through which the road descends to Mangalore. It is an ideal place to explore the exquisiteness of Coorg and was one of the most favorite spots of the Raja’s for enjoying the panoramic beauty of the mist-covered blue hills and valleys with green fields. But what’s unforgettable about Raja’s seat is the spectacular sunset that one can enjoy from here.

Located at a distance of 8 km from Madikeri, the charming Abbey Falls is a perfect place for picnics. It is one of the finest among the tourist attractions in Coorg. It is a 70ft waterfall, formerly named as Jessee Falls in honor of the daughter of first Chaplain of Mercara. Bathing and swimming in the deep waters is unsafe here.

The tombs of Raja’s dynasty with high Domes, built in Islamic style and minarets with gold coating built in Indo Sarsenic style. The memorable grave is a tribute to the King Virarajendra and his wife Mahadevi Amma. The two other graves are of Lingarajendra and Rudrappa, Gurus to Virarajendra.

This is a shrine of Bhagandeshwara . The name is derived from Bhaganda Maharshi who installed a Shivalinga here. It is also the “Thriveni Sangama” of the sacred rivers of Coorg Cauvery, Kannike and Sujyothi, a sub-terrain stream. It has an important piligrimage centre called Bhagandeshwarea Kshethra, where piligrims take bath, offer oblations to their departed ancestors, then ascend the hills for a holy bath at Talacauvery.

Located 22km from Madikeri town is Mandalpatti a beautiful chain of green mountain range, covered with vast open grasslands and valleys. The route is adventurous, with steep curves and zigzag tracks, and Abbey Falls lies along the way. The beauty of Mandalpatti is unwrapped only when you are on the top of the hills. This place is also called as “Mugilupete”. Ideal time to visit this place is early mornings or in the evenings.

The worshipping deity of Kodagu, River Cauvery takes her origin as a spring in Talacauvery situated on the slopes of Brahmagiri Hills. On the auspicious day of “Tula Sankramana” which generally falls on October 17th every year, the holy Cauvery appears by sudden upsurge of water in the Kundike – The Pond. It is an ideal place for a visit by any tourist for its natural beauty. Lakhs of people throng every year for a ‘holy dip’.

It is a natural river island with an elephant training camp on the banks of river Cauvery. People visiting the place enjoy the unusual experience of bathing, feeding and taming the elephants. Fishing and elephant safari is a wonderful experience here in Dubare. It is about 15km from Kushalnagar.

“Namdrolling Monastery”, a famous Tibetan Golden Temple, is a feast to the eyes in Bylukuppe. The Golden Temple adorned with a 60 ft Buddha statue and the recent addition of Zamdong Palri the copper coloured mountain is an exotic tourist attraction. Fascinating shopping marts selling ethnic Tibetan artefacts and modern fashion wears is a place to be visited. It is also the second largest Tibetan settlement in India.

It is the fort crowning the town built in 1681, with an imposing structure built in European style. Inside is an English church in plain gothic style. The palace within the fort was rebuilt by Tippu Sultan in 1790 and again Lingaraja during 1820. The palace of the Lingayat rulers is located inside the fort walls.Two life size elephants, made of mortar, catches one’s eye on entering. It presently houses few government offices, a public library and a museum of historical relics which is not to be missed.

The only reservoir in Kodagu built across the tributary of Cauvery with a height of 47 mtrs and 846 mtrs wide. It is a real picnic spot where you can admire the gushing backwaters and natural beauty.

A beautiful, picturesque picnic spot, here the river Cauvery splits forming an island with a bamboo forest of 65 acres. There is a hanging bridge, Deer Park, Boating, Tree House and an Elephant safari. Eco-friendly cottages are available here. It is at a distance of 27 kms from Madikeri.

Just 1 km from Madikeri town is this beautiful Shiva temple built by the King Lingaraja II in 1820 to appease the spirit of a Brahmin who was killed by the king. The structure is a quaint mix of Islamic and gothic styles of architecture with a dome and four turrets at the corners. The installed “Shivalinga” is specially brought from Kashi. The main attraction is the holy pond in front of the temple.

A two-storeyed Palace built by King Dodda Veera Rajendra in 1792 at the feet of the highest peak of Kodagu “The Thadiyandamol”. This peak is an irresistible challenge to trekkers. Paadi Igguthappa temple is a deviation from Kakkabe on the way to this palace. This temple was built by King Lingarajendra during 1810. To visit “Paadi Igguthappa” temple one needs to take a deviation on the way to Nalknad Palace from Kakkabe village.

The Nagarahole National Park was constituted in 1955. It extends over 650 Sq.Mtrs and is a well-maintained sanctuary. A large quantity of teak wood, rose wood and sandal wood is extensively grown here. It provides an excellent opportunity to watch wild animals like elephants, tigers, deer, bison, and peacocks in the vehicle safari.

The river Lakshmana Theertha runs down 60 feet from a hill to form this waterfall. Irrupu fall is situated in Kurchi village of South Coorg. There is also a shiva temple dedicated by Lord Sri Rama on the banks of this river where pilgrims congregate on the auspicious day of “Mahashivarathri”.

A very popular trek amongst the trekking community of Southern India. Tadiandamol Trek is one of the most talked-about treks between trekkers starting out to their trekking journey in the Western Ghats and even experienced trekkers.The trek takes you to the highest peak of the Kodagu district and the third highest peak of Karnataka.

Tadiandamol trek is a Western ghats trek which falls in the Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary of the Bhagamandala Range Forest. Trekking here will take you through a mix of thick shola forests with stream crossings, a carpet of beautiful grasslands. Added to this, the thrill of reaching the peak of Tadiandamol, trekking amidst the clouds is definitely something one must experience. Standing at a height of 5,735 feet, the view from the peak is stunning to witness. You can see the green hills spread across as far as the eyes can see. This extends in all directions from the peak.

The best season to do Tadiandamol trek is from September to February.
Post monsoon, you will witness the lush greenery of the region of Coorg in its full glory. The trek can be extended till the pre-summer season when the most part of the trek has a mix of brown and green. You will have much clearer views compared to the monsoon season.

NOTE: The summer season is prone to wildfires. Hence trekking is not allowed and banned during the peak of the summer(April to June).