Coorg Hill Station

Noted for its scenic beauty, Coorg is a beautiful hill resort in Karnataka. If you are looking for a picture post card hill resort that is enveloped in mist as you open your eyes in the morning, Coorg is the place to be in. Dotted with lush coffee plantations and sandal wood trees, Coorg offers a perfect blend of sight and smell. Coorg is also referred at Kodagu.

History
Not much is known about the history of Coorg, however the region was ruled by Lingayat and Kodavas. In 1785, Tipu Sultan reined the region. Later Coorg came under the British.

Places to visit

Coorg has a number of beautiful villages that present a picture post card look. There are a number of picnic spots in Coorg that include the beautiful Abbey Falls. Most of the wonderful places are located near Madikeri, the district headquarter, which is located at an altitude of over 5,000 feet above sea level. Tadevendamol, the highest peak in the region is best for trekking. The peak offers beautiful view of the Arabian Sea in the distance. Nagarhole National Park is an ideal place for wildlife enthusiasts.

Coorg also has few temples that one can visit. Located on the confluence of the Cauvery and Sujyothi, the Bagamandala Temple is built in traditional Kerala style. The Omkareshwara Temple dedicated to lord Shiva is another beautiful temple that you can visit. The temple is about 200 years old.

Raja's Seat, at a short distance from the center of the town is wonderful spot that presents panoramic view of the area. It is believed that kings of Kodagu used to come here to see the sunset.

Visiting time
One of the beautiful hill resorts in south India, Coorg can be visited from November to April.

Sites nearby
There are a number of beautiful tourist spots around Coorg that you can visit during your tour to Coorg. Capitol Village just five kilometres from Coorg is a beautiful spot. Other places that you can visit include Mysore, Bangalore, Hassan and Mangalore.

Tourist Attraction
Knowing India would ensure one piece of knowledge for sure- go anywhere and there in no chance of missing the sound of temple bells and a sense of belongingness that follows. Add to it the elements of Nature like versicolor fauna amidst equally vivid flora in the ecology of altitude and the picture of Coorg becomes clearer as well as more enchanting. And there is always history of the place to settle down with the missing links. Tour Coorg and see best of this place in its attractions.

Places of Worship
Omkareshwar TempleOmkareshwar Temple - Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is among the oldest in the region built in 1820. While visiting the temple in November during a festival celebrated here, the combination of Gothic and Islamic structure is hard to miss.

Padi Iggutappa Temple - Built just ten years before Omkaresahwar Temple, its deity is Lord Igguthappa. The holi festival has a different color altogether when celebrated in this premises.
Bhangandeshwara Temple - Architecture which is prominently found in Kerala could be seen in this temple nestled at convergence of three prime southern rivers, namely, Sujyoti, Cauvery and Kanike at the Brahmagiri Peak.

Dargah Sharif of Yemmemadu - Bodies of two great souls, Hazrath Sufi Shaeed and Sayyed Hassan Sakaf Halramir rest here making the place worthy of the respect and homage that it receives from people of all faiths.

Honnamana Kere - Sacrifice often results in lasting memories, just as this place represents. Doddamatlthe, home to this lake, receives many tourists and visitors, especially during Gowri Festival.

Namdroling Monastery - Located in Bylakuppe, the place is a great attraction for the believers of Buddhism as well as those who seek to know Kodagu as much as they can on their trip.

St Anne’s Church - With gothic styled architectural construction dating back to 1792, one gets easily hooked by the antiquity of the existence of this church as well as enamored by the beauty of the art.
Nature’s Lure

Waterfalls
Iruppu FallsIruppu Falls -Also read as Irpu and Irupu, the fall has its origin in Brahamagiri as a stream of Lakshmana-Theertha River, coming down through the hill, later joining with River Cauvery. Area around has a famous temple as well as a Protected Area.
Abbi Falls - Other variations of this name are Abbey and Abby. The sight of the water taking plunge for a glorious fall is indeed worth.
Mallalli Falls - River Kumaradhara takes a mighty jump from around 200 ft.
Chelavara Falls - Some leg-ups on rocky structures, and these falls would be in sight. The greenery around and hilly area makes it an excellent place to adieu sun in companionship of beloved ones.



Parks, Sanctuaries and Reserves
Nagarhole National Park - Named after the river which flows through the park, it is a feat enjoyed by wildlife lovers and enthusiasts. Situated between Kodagu and Mysore, it combines with other two National Parks- Bandipur and Mudumalai to make largest Protected Area of south.
Cauvery Nisargadhama - Walk on hanging bridge to reach this wonder Nature land and settle in treetop cottage for full vista of the place.
Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary - One of the 21 wildlife sanctuaries, it is great for bird watching along with locating other fauna. If one wishes to see highest peak in the sanctuary- Kumara Parvat with 1,712 m, this is the place to be in.
Brahamagiri Wildlife Sanctuary - Named after highest point of the park- Brahamagiri Peak, it was established in the year 1974. River Borapole serves as its lifeline, where different animals and birds come for respite. Here, temple and the scenery around is sufficient for comfort.
Talakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary - Origin of River Kaveri (Cauvery) has given name to this sanctuary which took this status in 1987. People with strong legs get a lot to test their perseverance.
Dubare Reserve Forest - Known for moist deciduous forest, it is home to many animals and birds that give excellent reason to leave hotel for the warmth of Nature. Dubare Elephant Camp is a nice place in here to see the way elephants are reared and trained. Safaris are also enjoyed.
Chomamale Hill - if trekking is a loved activity, this place is heaven, to which journey starts from Honey Valley.
Bhagamandala - The holy site of confluence of rivers Cauvery and Kanika, is revered by taking holy dip in the waters where it is believed that River Sujyothi also joins underground.
Mandalpatti - It is a viewing point meant to take vistas of Nature as they are in Coorg.
Chiklihole Reservoir - A water body on the Cauvery River, the meadows on one side and setting sun on the other, it provides an excellent site for picnic.
Nehru Mantap - This place is a favorite of the family holidayers, a picnic spot to revel in.
Miscellaneous
Gaddige - It is the tombs of the kings of the place (names- Virarajendra and Linga Rajendra) and priest of the court. Built in 18th century, the site is reminiscent of the kingdom ruled the place.
Madikeri Fort - The fort is last few leftovers in the sands of time of Coorg, constructed by Muddu Raja in 17th century. Tipu Sultan later strengthened the fort and named it Jaffarabad, which was again reconstructed by Linga Rajendra Wodeyar II. The Palace inside is another feature of the fort.
Harangi Dam - Visiting this dam which is located in Hadgur Village in the season of monsoon is the utmost delight. It attracts tourists from everywhere due to its height of 47 m.
Nalknad Palace - Tadiyandamol Hills is the location of the palace built by Dodda Virarajendra in 1792.
Raja’s Seat - Made completely scenic with the seasonal flowering plants and artificial (and musical) fountains surrounded by the hills of Western Ghats, the place also has entertainment in toy train’s ride.
Clock Tower - The town of Virajpet witnessed the construction of this landmark by Mukkatira yappa in the honor of King George V.

Places around Coorg
Bylakuppe - The second largest Tibetan settlement outside Tibet is this, located on NH 88. During Chinese aggression, monks and other follower fled to this area and settles as a town. The sense of peace is actually deeply felt once here, especially in the attractions of place like Ingalakere Lake, Ganapathi temple, Rangaswamy temple and some well known and much visited monasteries.

Somwarpet-
Kakkebe - Tadiyendamol is a popular name to be heard while on a trip to this town. It is the highest peak located in Coorg and well known among the trekkers who take pain in locating best trekking sites of the area they are visiting.

Things to do
What all one can plan to get done in addition to the Coorg Travel Package? Well, some cue follows.
Drop bait in sometimes-hurried-and-sometimes-languid waters of Cauvery and know for sure that some unfortunate fish is there to be hooked by it. Valnur Fishing Camp aids tourist to get the most of angling fun. However this is not all. In numerous protected areas in and around Coorg, one can find time to meet Nature as it is in its truest form. Birding, riding elephants, trekking and hiking are some of the commonest of activities followed ritually in the sanctuaries and national park, full of wild opportunities waiting to be explored. Lovers of water activities can come to Barapole and choose to play with rapids of the Kithu Kakathu River during white water rafting. Trekking in places like Brahmagiri gives real kick to those who seek it.

Fairs & Festivals - Coorg
Kali Podu in September, Huthri in November/December and Madikeri Dassera.

How to reach
Bangalore is the nearest airport, which is 196 kilometres from Coorg. The nearest railway station is Mysore, which is at a distance of 55 kilometres.

By Air
No direct air connection.

By Rail
Kodagu is the only district in Karnataka without an inch of rail track.

By Road
Kodagu is accessible only by road. Many buses operated by SKRTC. Pass through Madikeri enroute to Mangalore. KSTDC organises regular package tours.

Hotels Resorts and Places To Stay in Coorg
Hotel Coorg International, Madikeri.
Hotel Rajdarshan, Madikeri.
Orange Country Resort, Siddapura.
Hotel Chitra, Madikeri.
Capital Village, Madikeri.

General Information About Coorg

Best Time
October to April.
Location
Western Ghats, Karnataka.
Main Attraction
River Cauvery, Coffee Plantations.