Coorg Hills

INTRODUCTION Mudduraja, the Kodagu King had Mudduraja Keri as his capital.In the year 1681 he renamed it as Madikeri. It is the headquarters of Kodagu District at a height of 1170 meters.It is about 100 km from Mysore.Makikeri is famous for its coffee and oranges. It is famous as birthplace of the most famous river of Karnataka Cauvery.This place is famous for its scenic beauty.The fabulous paddy fields,coffee bushes and the morning mist form a sketch of some unforgettable memories for the tourists. Coorg is famous for oranges and coffee plantation.This region also is famous for spices. pepper, cardamoms etc can be seen.The coffee plantations in Madikeri alone accounts for almost half of Karnataka' s coffee production. Karnataka is known to be India' s largest producer of coffee even today. HISTORY It is a place with disputed history. Some of the localites believe that this place was ruled by Lingayat rajas who ruled over Coorg.They established Madikeri as their capital.The famous gallient ruler Tipu Sultan in 1785 A.D, annexed Coorg into his kingdom. But,Maharaja Veerarajendra with the help of the British rulers was successful in getting Coorg free.He developed this place into a beautiful hillstation with beautiful coffee and oranges plantation.But,the joy of freedom of this place was short lived and in 1834 AD, the British took over power in Coorg. They imprisoned the last ruler Chikkaveera Rajendra. SIGHT SEEING PLACES Fort - The 19th century fort in the centre of the Madikeri town visualised some of the most ferocious battles of its time. From the fort the entire Coorg town is visible.The fort now contains a small museum having some historical paintings,arms,armours and possessions of the past rulers, the prison.The fort also contains a small palace. Sri Omkareshwara Temple - This historical temple for Lord Shiva, was built in 1820 by the then King of Coorg. This temple is unique for its architectural beauty which is a combination of Islamic and Gothic style of architecture. Every year at the end of November, a colourful temple festival is held here.On the top of the dome of the temple is a guilded ball, with a weather clock. Abbi Falls - Formerly this water fall was known as Jessey Falls.'Abbi' in the local language Kodagu means falls. This beautiful water fall is about 5 km from Coorg. Raja's Seat - Kings of Kodagu spent their evenings to watch the unforgettable scenes of the sun set. From this point thrilling view of valleys, lush green fields and Western Ghats can be viewed. Bhagamandala - This place is 30 km from Coorg. It is famous for temples and is known as the temple town of this region.This place also has significance as here Cauvery is at its confluence with river Sujyothi and Kannike. Irupu Falls - This fresh water cascade is at a distance of 48 kms from Virajpet on the way to Nagarhole. This is a very famous picnic spot as well as a very good pilgrimage. On the banks of the river Lakshmanatheertha a tributary to the river Cauvery lies a very famous Shiva temple which is believed to have been dedicated by Lord Rama himself.