Madikeri
Fort
This 19th century fort, in the centre of Madikeri,
houses a temple, a chapel, prison and a small museum.
The fort offers a beautiful view of Madikeri.
Raja's
Seat
According to legend, the kings of Kodagu spent their
evenings here. But what's unforgettable about Raja's
seat is the spectacular sunset that one can enjoy
from here.
Around
Madikeri
The most visited tourist spot in Coorg is the Nagarahole
National Park which is known for it's wild-life population.
One can find elephants, tigers, leopards, sambars,
spotted deers, and bisons in plenty. There are facilities
for over-night stay inside the Nagarhole park next
to water-holes. Madikeri or Mercara is the main town
of Coorg and is also a well known hill station. Some
of the important places to visit around Madikeri are
Raja seat-a well maintained garden with a great views
of the hills, Abbi-Falls a beautiful waterfall, Bhaga-mandala
and finally Tala-Kaveri-the birth place of river Kaveri,
is an astoundingly beautiful place which is surrounded
by mountains.
Talakaveri
River Kaveri which is one of the 7 sacred rivers of
Sapta Sindhus of the Hindu scriptures, originated
at a place is called Talakaveri in the Brahmagiri
hills, at about 4,500 ft above sea level. This place
is marked by a kundike from where the river emerges
as a small perennial spring, but flows underground
again to emerge a short distance away.
There
is a shrine near the kundike and a big tank in front
of it where devotees baths before offering prayers.
There are 2 temples, a Shiva temple and with a rare
and ancient Shiva Linga, and another temple dedicated
to Lord Ganesha. This temple has a holy Ashwantha
tree where, according to legend, the Trimurtis - Brahma,
Vishnu and Mahesh gave darshan to sage Agastya.
Iruppu
Falls
There is a sacred spot called Iruppu in south Kodagu
on the Brahmagiri range of hills. River Lakshmana-tirtha
flows nearby. Legend says that Rama and Lakshmana,
warrior Gods, passed this way while searching for
Rama's concert, Sita. Rama asked Lakshmana to fetch
some drinking water for him. Lakshmana shot an arrow
into the Brahmagiri hills and brought into being river
Lakshmanatirtha.
Abbey
Falls
A big attraction for tourists and filmdom alike is
the Abbey Falls, 8 kms from Madikeri. Even during
the summer there is plenty of water in these falls.
The roar of the falls can be heard from the main road,
from where a path goes through lovely coffee and cardamom
plantations right up to them. The chirping of innumerable
birds which are easier heard then seen, fill the air
with sweet music. Do remember to take your binoculars
and camera when you go there
Dubare
This is mainly an elephant capturing and training
camp of the Forest Department, at the edge of Dubare
forest, on the bank of river Kaveri, on the Kushalnagar
- Siddapur road. The largest land animal is captured
here with the help of tamed elephants and local tribals
- the Kurbas - and is held captive for upto 6 months
in large teak wood cages.
The
tamed elephants attend to various jobs during the
day and in the evenings they come down to the river
to bathe and to be scrubbed clean by their mahouts.
Afterwards the mahout obliges eager tourists for free
elephant rides within the camp. In the evenings, all
the elephants are offered a special treat of ladoos
made of ragi and jaggery, each no smaller than a cannon
ball!
Nagarhole
National Park
The place derives its name from the winding river
- Nagarhole meaning "snake river" - which
flows through the park. The 640 sq km of gently undulating
terrain at the foothills of the Brahmagiri hills is
covered with thick tropical forest, grassy swamps
and numerous rivers and streams. The park and animal
life is part of the country's first "bio-sphere
reserve". The Forest Department conducts tours
along well-defined routes for tourists, in the early
mornings and evenings. One can be sure of seeing the
bison, elephant, spotted deer, sambhar, barking deer,
wild boar, mongoose, peakcock, jungle fowl and many
other birds and animals.
Lucky
people may see a tiger or panther or even a King cobra.
Both trekking and going by private vehicles is allowed,
though permission has to be taken first. Huts have
been built for those who wish to stay in the wilds.
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