PKG Coorg

COORG (Kodagu)
Kodagu, former name of Coorg, is an administrative district in Karnataka, India. Kodagu is well known in
the world for coffee and its "brave warriors".
Madikeri (English: Mercara) is the headquarters of Kodagu. Kodagu is home to the native speakers
of Kodava language. The native Kodavas who now form only one-fifth of the total population of Kodagu
as most of them have moved to the cities, like Bangalore and Mysore, and even abroad,
The Kodavas were the earliest agriculturists in Kodagu, having lived there for centuries. They carried
arms during times of war.
Geography
Kodagu is located on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats. It has a geographical area of 4,102 km2.
The district is bordered by Dakshina Kannada district to the northwest, Hassan district to the
north, Mysore district to the east, 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 900 meters (3,000 ft) above sea-
level. The highest peak, Tadiandamol, rises to 1,750 meters (5,740 ft), with Pushpagiri, the second
highest, at 1,715 meters (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, drains the greater
part of Kodagu.
View of Tadiandamol
Kodagu Culture
Coorg or Kodagu is chiefly populated by its native ethnic group the Kodavas, who were freeholder
farmers and militiamen in the ancient past. Besides, other communities that reside in Kodagu District are
Gowdas and Muslims that dwell in Coorg. Chief Languages spoken in Coorg are Kodava, Kannada, Are
Bhashe, Malayalam, Yerava, Kuruba, Konkani, Urdu and English. The natives of Coorg also known by
the epithet Kshatriyas are ancestor worshippers and follow the martial tradition. They worship arms.
Some of the other minor tribes of Coorg find their origin in farm laborers and hunter gatherer foresters.
There are also families of the Brahmin community, most of who were brought here by the rulers for the
purpose of offering poojas at various temples. Kodava oral traditions are very rich; some of the traditional
folk songs have been compiled into the Pattole Palome.
The citizens of Kodagu are polytheists and worship a number of deities. Various occupations adopted by
the ethnic groups of Kodagu are: Pepper and Coffee plantations, Paddy, artisans, basket and mat-
weavers, drummers, wandering musicians, farmers, toddy-makers, etc.
The Kodagu men wear Kupyas (knee-length half-sleeved coats) over a full-sleeved white shirt. Chale
i.e. a maroon and gold sash is tied at the waist and an ornately carved silver dagger known as
Peechekath is tucked into it. Odikathi is yet another knife that is tucked into the Chale at the back.
Furthermore, a chain with a minuscule gun and a dagger hanging onto it give them a martial look. The
saris worn by women folk are pleated at the back and the pallu fixed with a brooch is also wrapped in a
very unique way. They wear either a full-sleeved or three-quarter sleeved blouse and cover their head
with a scarf. A traditional gold beaded necklace known here as Kokkethathi Jomale is widely worn by the
women of Kodagu.
Tourist attractions
Kodagu is rated as one of the top hill station destinations in India. Some of the most popular tourist
attractions in Kodagu include:
Talakaveri: 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.
Nisargadhama: A manmade island and picnic spot near Kushalanagara, formed by the river Kaveri.
Iruppu Falls: A sacred spot in south Kodagu in the Brahmagiri hill range. The Lakshmana Tirtha
River flows nearby.
Abbey Falls: A scenic waterfall 5 km from Madikeri.
Dubare: 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 - Siddapur road.
Nagarahole: A national park and wildlife resort.
Bhagamandala: Situated at the confluence of two rivers, the Kaveri and the Kanika. A third river, the
Sujyothi, is said to join from underground. Mallalli falls: 25 km from Somwarpet, downhill of the Pushpagiri
hills
Mandalapatti: 28 km from Madikeri.
Omkareshwara Temple: A beautiful temple in Coorg. A legend is associated with the temple, built by
Lingrajendra II.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 shivlinga procured from Kashi, North India.
Buddist Golden Temple, at Bylakuppe near Madikeri at Kodagu district, in the Tibetan settlement
Entrance of the Golden Temple (Buddhist monastery)
Transport
Madikeri is well connected by road with Mangalore, Hassan, Mysore, Bangalore and Kannur,Thalassery,
Wayanad of neighboring state Kerala. There are three Ghat roads for reaching Kodagu from coastal
regions of Kerala and Karnataka: the SampajeMadikeri Ghat road from Mangalore, the Panathur
Bhagamandala Ghat road from Kasaragod, Kanhangad,Malom and chittarikkal and the Makutta
Perumbadi/Virajpet Ghat road from Kannur and Thalassery.
The nearest railway stations are Thalassery and Kannur in Kerala and Mangalore, Mysore and Hassan
are the nearest in Karnataka.
The nearest airports are Mysore and Mangalore. Mysore Airport is at a distance of 130 km from Madikeri
and 115 kilometers (71 mi) from Virajpet. Mangalore International Airport is located 140 kilometers (87 mi)
from Madikeri and 172 kilometers (107 mi) from Virajpet.
The nearest seaport for Kodagu is New Mangalore Port at Panambur in Mangalore, 145 kilometers
(90 mi) from Madikeri.
Accommodation
Accommodation in 5 * hotels to standard hotels and resorts can be arranged with very special
offers, kindly contact us @ +91 9367785225 or mail to nishi@koncherrytours.com we assure you
the best of hospitality and services during your stay.

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COORG (Kodagu)

Abbey Falls: A scenic waterfall 5 km from Madikeri.

Nagarahole: A national park and wildlife resort.

Entrance of the Golden Temple (Buddhist monastery)

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