Misty hills, lush forest, acres of tea and coffee plantation, orange groves, undulating streets and breathtaking views make

Coorg, the district headquarters of Kodagu and dubbed the 'Scotland of India', an unforgettable holiday destination.

Tucked amid verdant valleys, imposing mountains and teakwood forests, this is one of the most beautiful hill stations of
Karnataka.

The history of Coorg, too, is captivating, given the diverse theories on the Coorgi's evolution. One school of thought believes the 2,500-year-old civilisation of the Kodavas has evolved from a race that originally lived in Oman and Yemen. Some claim that the Scythian Greek soldiers of Alexander stayed on after his return and married the local women of Kodagu. Interestingly, some locals even call themselves the descendants of people belonging to the Mohenjo-daro civilisation.

Coorg is also called the land of Generals Field Marshall Cariappa, the first Commander-in-Chief of India and General Thimmayya  are among India's finest soldiers. Almost every household has at least one person serving in the armed forces. There's more to such conventions. It is said that the birth of a male child is often celebrated with a gun salute, as a tribute to the Kodavas' 'martial origins'.

Known for great outdoors, Coorg has many verdant trekking routes. The best time to visit Coorg is between October and February. For a lazy vacation, try fishing in Valanoor, located along the backwaters of River Cauvery, which itself originates from a hilltop source called Thalai Cauvery. For some fast-paced white water rafting, visit the Upper Barapole River, to the south of Coorg in Brahmagiri.

Coorg is a shopper's paradise as well. Do not leave Coorg without tasting the local coffee, honey, spices, cardamom, pepper and pineapple papads. Coorgi silk saris are very famous and are draped in a unique way.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS

Madikeri Fort: This 19th-century fort, at the heart of Coorg, houses a temple, a chapel, prison and a small museum.

Raja's Seat: Legend has it that 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.

Iruppu Falls: A sacred spot in South Kodagu on the Brahmagiri range. River Lakshmanatirtha flows nearby. Legend has it that Lord Rama and Lord Lakshmana passed this way while looking for Sita. Rama had asked Lakshmana to fetch some drinking water for him. Lakshmana then shot an arrow into Brahmagiri hills and brought 'Lakshmanatirtha' into being. The place is said to possess cleansing powers.

Dubare: This is mainly an elephant-capturing-cum-training camp of the Forest Department, conducted at the edge of the Dubare Forest. The wild elephants here are tamed and trained with the help of other tamed elephants and local tribes (the Kurubas).

Thalai Cauvery: Forty-six kilometers west of Coorg is Thalai Cauvery, the birthplace of Cauvery River. The source of the river is a tiny perennial spring.

Nagarahole: A national park and wildlife resort. The place derives its name from the winding river Nagarhole, meaning “snake river”, which flows through the park. The terrain 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 “biosphere reserve”. The Forest Department conducts tours along well-defined routes for tourists. Here, one can spot bisons, elephants, spotted deer, sambhar, barking deer, wild boar, mongoose, peakcocks, jungle fowl and many other birds and animals.

Courtesy: India Digest

Tourist Information

How to reach:
• By Air: Bangalore (260 km away) and Mangalore (135 km away) are the nearest international airports.
• By Rail: Mysore (146 km away) is the closest station.
• By Road: The Mysore-Mangalore highway (NH48) passes through Kodagu. Regular bus services to Madikeri.
Best time to visit:
The best time to visit is between October and February.

Accommodation:
There are a number of hotels in Madikeri which provide accommodation for tourists. Stay at the Orange County Resort is an experience in itself. Constructed in a rural style, it offers 42 thatched cottages overlooking paddy fields. The cottages present the rustic effect with terra-cotta tiled floors and unique wood work.

For more on India tourism, visit:
• www.travelcoorg.com
• www.karnataka.com
• www.hcilondon.net

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