The Call of Coorg

Coorg, also called as Kodagu, is a hill-station located in the Western Ghats of southern Karnataka. Hailed as the “Scotland of India”, Coorg is a popular destination for those who wish to escape from the dreary city landscape. It’s only a 3 – hour drive from Mangalore: so, all Mangaloreans looking for a quick getaway to the countryside – don’t hesitate, turn on the ignition without any second thoughts and head to Coorg! 😀

Some places you might want to visit once you get there are:

Talakaveri and Bhagamandala

Situated in the lap of the Brahmagiri hills, Talakaveri is about 44km away from Madikeri, which is the headquarters of the district. It is said to be the origin of the river Kaveri, and a dip into its waters is considered to be holy. A tank is present there, which is supplied by a spring that gives rise to the Kaveri river. Bhagamandala is the site of confluence of three rivers – the Kaveri, Kannike and Sujyoti, and hence is also called the Triveni Sangama. Pilgrims flock to Bhagamandala during the months of October-November, to attend the annual festival where they get to watch the river as it gushes out of the tank at a specific time.

Raja’s Seat

One of the most popular tourist attractions that Madikeri offers, the Raja’s Seat indeed has a long and royal history. According to the local folklore, the kings of Kodagu used to come to this place to unwind after performing their royal duties. At present, Raja’s Seat has gardens and fountains, not to mention a breath-taking view of the mountains and valleys.

Bylakuppe

Famous for being the second largest Tibetan settlement outside Tibet, Bylakuppe is situated approximately 40km away from Madikeri. All the tourists head towards the Namdroling Monastery first, inside which reside huge idols of Lord Buddha, with Lord Padmasambhava and Lord Amitayus on either side.

Abbey Falls

Abbey falls is one of the relatively closer sites to Madikeri that I’ve spoken of till now. Located 7-8 km away from the district headquarters, the trip to Abbey Falls is through coffee plantations and is quite scenic. The path which leads there, where one would have to go by foot, is also through coffee plantations, so one does get tempted to pluck a few berries from the coffee plants (I did!) The beauty of the falls can be appreciated while standing on a hanging bridge, which is quite an experience.

Harangi Dam

The Harangi dam was constructed across a tributary of the Kaveri, the Harangi. It is an ideal place where one can leisurely stroll along at the end of a day spent touring. It is popular as a picnic spot.