CoorgTravel Guide
General Information
Coorg or Kodagu as it is officially known is one of the tiniest district in the southern part of Karnataka covering an area of 4,104 Sq Km.
Coorg was a state, before its merger with Karnataka in the year 1956, with an elected chief minister and The Legislative Assembly. At present it is a part of Mangalore Lok Sabha Parliament Constituencyand three MLAs [One each from Mercara, Virajpet and Somwarpet] are elected from Coorg to Karnataka Legislative Assembly.
Coorg consists of three taluks or administrative units viz Madikeri or Mercara, the District HeadQartres, Virajpet and Somvarpet. Coorg borders Mysore district to its east, Dakshina Kannada district on the west, Hassan district in the north and the sate of Kerala to the south.
The largest river here, River Cauvery, which the local people worship, rises on the eastern side of the Western Ghats. Its tributaries drain the greater part of Coorg. Besides these there are several large streams that take their rise in Coorg.
Coorg is the largest producer of Coffee in India. Pepper, Cardamom and oranges are grown extensively in this part. Coorg is one of the major places that get heavy rainfall in India. The yearly rainfall may exceed 160”. In the dense jungle tract it reaches from 120” to 150”; in. the bamboo district in the west from 60” to 100”. Coorg, which is blessed with thick forest shelters Sandal wood, Rose wood and numerous variety of trees.
The loftiest peak, Tadiandamol, has an altitude of 5729 ft.; Pushpagiri, another peak, is 5626 ft. high. Coorg has an average temperature of about 60 F; the extremes being 52 and 82.
Coorg holds a Guinness record for the largest family sports tournament in the world. Every year the kodava families play each other for the Family Cup and over 300 family teams participate in it. Some of the teams even include women players, who have the choice to play either for their husband or their father’ team. All the participants aging from 6 to 60 are related by blood.
How to reach Coorg
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By Air
The nearest airport is at Mangalore, at about 135 km from Coorg. The second nearest airport is at Bangalore - about 250 km from Coorg.
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By Rail
The nearest railway station is Mysore , about 55 km away. Mysore is well connected to the rest of with extensive rail network. You can also use the rail stations in Mangalore and Hassan for reaching Coorg.
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By Road
Coorg is well connected by roadways with all major cities in Karnataka.Cities like Mysore (120 km), Mangalore (135 km), Bangalore (260 km), and Hassan (115 km) are linked by roadways with Coorg.
Weather Overview
Min Temperature: 220 C (Summer), 150 C (Winter)
Max Temperature: 280 C (Summer), 240 C (Winter)
Best Time to Visit: October to February
Typical of most hill stations, Coorg has a pleasant weather throughout the year. The summers are moderately hot, while the winters are quite chilly. One can also witness heavy rainfall in the months of June, July and August, which form a part of the monsoon season. To get more information on the weather and climate of Coorg, read on.
Summer
The summer months in Coorg, lasting from March to early June, record moderately high temperatures. During the summer season, the place records a high temperature of 280 C.
Monsoon
The monsoon season in Coorg lasts from June to September. The southwest monsoon from June to the end of September results in heavy thundershowers. The yearly rainfall in the district ranges from 3,500 to 2,500mm.
Winter
The winter months of November to February see temperatures tumbling down. The north-east monsoon from October to December brings in rainfalls, thereby pushing down the mercury further.
Clothes to Wear
During summers, a visit to this charming hill station would require you to be clothed in light cotton garments. For a winter trip, bring out the woolen apparels.
Places Of Interest
- Madikeri
- Madikeri Fort
- Raja's Seat
- Iruppu Falls
- Nagarahole National Park
- Abbey Falls
- Talacauvery
- Bhagamandala
- Omkareshwara Temple
Madikeri
Madikeri
The district headquarters of Coorg and a picturesque town atop the Sahyadri mountains, Madikeri is known as the Scotland of India. Formerly known as 'Marcera', it is located at a distance of 252 km from Bangalore and is placed at an altitude of 1525 m (5000 ft) above sea level.
Madikeri Fort
Madikeri Fort
Madikeri Fort, located at Madeikeri, was built in the 19th century. The monument houses a chapel, a temple, a prison and a museum inside. One can have a breathtaking view of the whole Madikeri town from this fort.
Raja's Seat
Raja's Seat
According to legends and folklore, the Kodagu Kings spent their evenings in this place, which is a spectacular garden in the town of Madekari. One can have an impressive view of the sunset from this place.
Iruppu Falls
Iruppu Falls
The Iruppu Falls harbor a Hindu temple and serve as a place of pilgrimage for the various tourists visiting Coorg. The temple is believed to be dedicated by Lord Rama to Lord Shiva. Owing to its enchanting beauty, this waterfall is also a famous picnic spot.
Nagarahole National Park
Nagarahole National Park
This wildlife sanctuary, which shelters elephants, tigers, spotted deer, leopards, bison, peacocks and other exotic wildlife, is a favorite among the tourists. There are lodging facilities inside the park, which makes it a much-visited tourist spot.
Abbey Falls
Abbey Falls
Located amidst a valley in a coffee-cardamom plantation, 7 km from Madikeri, are the Abbery Falls. With water falling from a height of 70 ft, this is a famous waterfall and a much-visited picnic spot of Coorg.
Talacauvery
Talacauvery
Talacauvery is the birthplace of the river Cauvery and is located at a distance of 44 km from Madikeri. A major religious site, it is visited by local Coorgs and even people from Tamil Nadu and other nearby states. They visit the place to take a dip in its holy waters.
Bhagamandala
Bhagamandala
Bhagamandala is a famous shrine, where river Cauvery merges with the rivers Kannike and Sujyothi and forms the "Triveni Sangama". It is located on the bank of the Sangama River and has been built in the Kerala style of architecture.
Omkareshwara Temple
Omkareshwara Temple
Built in 1820 AD by Lingaraja, this is a well-known temple in Coorg. With its immaculate architecture, that blends Gothic and Islamic style, this temple is believed to be dedicated to Lord Shiva
Shopping
Shopping in Coorg is not the focus of activity. This is a land of unspoilt natural beauty. You would not find swanky shopping malls, rising structures in glass and concrete and raucous buyers in Coorg. It is not a typical shopping destination.
But for some, returning from a tour without buying some souvenir for near and dear ones, is just impossible. Coorg has some good news for. Shop for the local produce here. Cardamom, pepper and honey should top your shopping list in Coorg.
You can also pick delicious oranges in seasons while shopping in Coorg.
What else but the natural produce can you get in a destination like Coorg were natural beauty is the highlight. Once you have come to Coorg, buy them to take back. Such things as fresh as here are hard to get in big cities.
Eating Out
The picture-perfect hill station of Coorg in Karnataka is famous worldwide for its breathtaking natural beauty and serene environs. Hence, numerous tourists throng the region all through the year. Besides the abundance of natural beauty and scenic destinations, Coorg delights its visitors with the numerous options for Eating Out in Coorg Karnataka. Besides the various restaurants attached to the hotels, there are many smaller restaurants in Coorg which are perfect for enjoying some snacks and meals at reasonable rates. The numerous roadside food stalls are the perfect options for munching on a wide variety of unique snacks while eating out in Coorg Karnataka. Here you will get a varied choice of cuisines, right from Indian and Chinese to Tibetan and Continental.
The cuisine of Coorg comprises of a heady mix of coconut and spices such as curry leaves, ginger, chilies, pepper and cardamom. Meat preparations, especially those with pork dominate the platter in a typical Coorg meal. Some other ingredients used generously in Coorg cuisine include mushroom, bamboo-shoot, rice and banana. While eating out at Coorg Karnataka, you can taste the finest Coorg dishes at a traditional family meal in a Madikeri home. If you are contemplating on where to eat in Coorg in Karnataka, you should keep this in mind that some of the well known restaurants in Coorg that offer local dishes at reasonable price include the Chitra Lodge, East End, and Raj Darshan besides others.
Some of the other popular restaurants in Coorg include Hotel Veglands on Chickpet Main Road which offers cheap vegetarian meals, Mayura Valley View Hotel on MG Road which is well known for its middle priced food and Hotel Choice – a good place for savoring Western meals.
Nightlife
Coorg is a sleepy town and doesn't have much to offer in terms of entertainment and night life, except for some film theatres. If fortune smiles on you, you could visit the famous North Coorg Club, as the guest of one of the affluent coffee planters. You can also drive on the main Madikeri road. Or go on nice long walks and commune with nature.
