Kodagu Kerala

The mountainous region of Kodagu, lies 100 km west of Mysore in the Western Ghats, its eastern fringes meeting with the Mysore Plateau. The capital of Kodagu is Madikeri. Popularly known as the 'Scotland of India', Kodagu is located at the height of 1,525 m above the sea level. Formerly it was known by its anglicized name of Coorg. The Kodagu district comprises of three taluks – Madikeri, Virajpet, and Somwarpet. The highest peak here is Tadiandamol that rises to 1,750 m and second highest peak Pushpagiri at the height of 1,715 m. With its rugged hilly, dense green rainforest's, cardamom estates, coffee plantations and swathes of rush rice paddy, it is one of the south India's most scenic areas.

Sightseeing at Kodagu :

Madikeri Fort :

Madikeri Fort is the most important attraction of Kodagu. It was built by the Raja Lingarajendra II in the 19th century. The fort houses the temple, a chapel, prison and a small museum. It now served as the municipal headquarters.

Raja's Seat :

According the legend the Raja Lingarajendra used to spend time here in the evening. The panoramic view from Raja's seat is breathtaking. Behind are the gardens, a toy train line for kids and a tiny Kodava style temple.

Omkareshwara Temple :

To the east of the Madikeri Fort lies the Omkareshwara temple. The temple was built by Raja in 1820, in the Indo Saracenic style. It remains open to the tourists from 6; 30 am to 1 pm and 5 pm to 8 pm.

Things to so :

Trekking :

The geographical hilly area of Kodagu make it a ideal location for trekking. The forested hills, past spice and coffee plantations make your trekking trip to Kodagu (Coorgu) really pleasurable. Please hire a guide who can arrange food, transport and accommodation for you. Most treks last for two to three days, but the longer treks can take more than three days. The most popular treks are to the peaks of Tadiyendamol (1745m) and Pushpagiri (1712m0 and to smaller Kotebetta.

Birding :

Apart from trekking, Kodagu is also a popular birding destination. While trekking, do-not forget to carry the pair of binoculars and indulge in bird watching. Spot the tiny species of birds, which is hard to spot with the bare eyes. It is a home to many migratory bird, so it will be complete excitement for you.

Nature Walk :

The cool climate, long high ridges and vast forest covers with some of the spell bounding vistas make Kodagu a walkers paradise. While taking the nature walk, capture the scenic location in your cameras. Make a visit to the tiny shrines. Spend time near the waterfalls, appreciating the natural beauty of the area.