Coorg, also known as Kodagu, is a picturesque hill station located in the state of Karnataka, India. It is a popular tourist destination known for its scenic beauty, coffee plantations, misty hills, and pleasant climate. Coorg offers a serene and tranquil atmosphere, making it an ideal getaway for nature lovers and those seeking a break from the bustling city life. Nagarhole National Park, Located nearby, this national park is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. It is home to various animal species, including elephants, tigers, leopards, and many birds. Coorg is renowned for its coffee plantations. Visitors can take guided tours of the plantations, learn about coffee cultivation and processing, and sample freshly brewed coffee.
Coorg's hilly terrain and natural beauty make it a great destination for trekking and nature walks. Trails like Tadiandamol, Brahmagiri, and Pushpagiri offer scenic vistas and adventurous experiences. Coorg is also home to wildlife sanctuaries like Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary and Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, where visitors can explore the diverse flora and fauna. Coorg offers a distinct cuisine known for its flavors and unique ingredients. Don't miss trying dishes like Pandi Curry (pork curry), Akki Roti (rice pancakes), and Coorg-style coffee. Popular Places To Explore In Coorg Are :
Abbey Falls: A stunning waterfall nestled amidst the coffee plantations, offering a breathtaking view and a perfect spot for nature enthusiasts and photographers. Abbey Falls, also known as Abbi Falls, is located around 10 kilometres away from the town of Madikeri and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in and around Coorg. The water cascade coming down from the cliff from a height of 70 feet provides a spectacular scene to behold. The walk to the falls from the main entrance has around 200 steps downwards throughout and takes you through exotic coffee, cardamom, pepper and other spice plantations. Even though bathing is prohibited in the falls now, there is an over-bridge opposite the falls to witness the beauty.
Raja's Seat : Is a garden built on an elevated ground overseeing the valleys that lie to the west, making it a popular viewpoint to watch sunrise and sunset. Dotted with flowering plants and skillfully designed artificial fountains, Raja's Seat is located in Madikeri in the district of Coorg. The garden was a favourite venue to rejuvenate for the Kings of Kodagu, and they loved watching the sunsets sitting here as they spent some memorable time with their Queens. The garden here is a preferred picnic spot for the locals. There is also a Toy Train available for your little ones to take a ride on and the fountains have been modified into musical fountains.
Today, this place is managed by the Archaeological Survey of India and is considered of historical importance in the country. The Raja's Seat View Point is a huge semicircle pavilion built in the garden and located in such a way that the visitors get the best view of the green valley, especially during sunrise and sunset.
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Golden Temple : Namdroling Monastery, situated at a distance of 34 km from the Coorg, is the largest teaching centre of the school of Tibetan Buddhism known as Nyingmapa. Popularly known as the 'Golden Temple', the Namdroling Monastery holds some excellent examples of Tibetan architecture and artwork, as seen with the elaborately decorated temple tower and ornate outer walls, intricately adorned with beautiful murals. It is spread over an area of 80 square feet and was built from Bamboo which was donated by the Indian Government to the Tibetans in exile. Today, it houses many auxiliary structures like educational institutions and a hospital and being home to about 5,000 members of the Sangha community.
The initial structure was made of bamboo and covered an area of 80 sq feet. The current 80 sqm area that the temple holds is thanks to the generosity of the Indian government, who donated the land to the Tibetan refugees who settled in the area. Inside, one has the privilege of witnessing the enormous 40 feet high golden statues of Guru .
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Tadiandamol Peak : Is the highest mountain peak in Coorg, at an elevation of 1748m. Most tourists interested in trekking are drawn to this place as the journey is difficult, but the view from the top, unparalleled. While being the second highest peak in all of Karnataka, Tadiandamol trek is also a very good option for nature lovers who desire scenic surroundings and are beginners in the trekking scene. Apart from the treks, nature lovers can visit the place as almost half the journey can be reached by a vehicle.
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Iruppu fall : is a picturesque waterfall cascading along the Brahmagiri Mountain Range in the Coorg district of South Karnataka. Also known as the Lakshmana Tirtha Falls, which is a name derived from the tributary of Cauvery River of the same name of which these falls are a part of. People come here to enjoy the blissful vicinity of nature, the grandeur of the falls and for also for its religious significance. En route to the magnificent falls stands the famous Shiva temple Rameshwara along the banks of the river. Both the river stream and the temple have folklore behind their existences which have roots in the story of the epic Ramayana.
The pristine cold water of the Iruppu falls is considered to be holy and possessing powers to clean the past sins of the visiting devotees. A major tourist attraction, the falls attracts a large number of tourists every year, especially during the festival of Navaratri. Located on a lush, green mountain slope, a forest trail leads from these falls to the Brahmagiri Peak.
Talakaveri : Is the source of the river Kaveri, located on the Brahmagiri hill (not to be confused with the Brahmagiri range further south) near Bhagamandala in Kodagu district, Karnataka. Kodavas erected a tank which is now considered as its origin. It is believed that the river originates as a spring feeding a tank or a Kundike and then flows underground to re-emerge as Kaveri some distance away. The place has a temple dedicated to the Goddess Kaveriamma is located next to the tank and bathing in it on special occasions is considered holy.
On the Cauvery Changrandi day, thousands of pilgrims and tourists flock to the stream to witness the rise of the spring's fountainhead, when the river water gushes up at a predetermined moment. One can climb the 407 steps to the top of the hill to get a birds-eye-view of the evergreen forested land and the misty hills of Coorg. The most exciting thing about the hills is that even when one is standing on the uppermost step, one can still hear the temple bells ringing down below in the temple. If one visits Talakaveri during the rainy season, one will be greeted by the mesmerising sight of the origin of the Kaveri River.
Nagarhole National Park : Located in the Mysore district of Karnataka, Nagarhole National Park boasts of rich wildlife including both flora and fauna. Located near Bandipur National Park, it is packed with the bounty of raw nature in its best form. Bestowed with best of wildlife, forest cover and varied topography, this place offers gushing streams, gentle slopes and shallow valleys. The place is a paradise for nature lovers and those seeking solitude. A variety of species such as Elephants, Jackals, Tigers, Panthers, Gaurs, Sambars, Spotted Deers, Mongoose, Civet cats, Hyenas, Sloth Bears and over 250 species of birds call this place their home.
The park is bounded by Kabini River on the north while Bandipur National park forms its southern boundaries. A dam of the Kabini River along with its reservoir demarcates the two national parks and is a sight to behold. Other than that, the park also houses stunning vegetation and plantation along with verdant tropical and deciduous forest land.
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