ಕೊಡಗು -Coorg (Kodagu)-Scotland of India

Kodagu is on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats. It is a hilly district with the lowest elevation in the district at 900 metres (3,000 ft) above sea-level. The highest peak, Tadiandamol, rises to 1,750 metres (5,700 ft), with Pushpagiri, the second highest, at 1,715 metres (5,630 ft). The main river in Kodagu is the Kaveri (Cauvery). The Kaveri starts at Talakaveri, located on the eastern side of the Western Ghats, and with its tributaries, drains the greater part of Kodagu. In July and August, rainfall is intense, and there are often rain showers into November. Yearly rainfall may exceed 4,000 millimetres (160 in) in some areas. In dense jungle tracts, rainfall reaches 3,000 to 3,800 millimetres (120 to 150 in) and 1,500 to 2,500 millimetres (59 to 98 in) in the bamboo district to the west. Kodagu has an average temperature of 15 °C (59 °F), ranging from 11 to 28 °C (52 to 82 °F), with the highest temperatures occurring in April and May. The principal town, and district capital, is Madikeri, or Mercara, with a population of around 30,000. Other significant towns include Virajpet (Viraranjendrapet), Kushalnagar, and Somwarpet. The district is divided into the three administrative talukas (divisions) of Madikeri, Virajpet and Somwarpet.

The Kodagu district comprises different communities - Kodava, Tulu, Gowda, Moplah out of which the largest is the Kodava community, both economically and politically. The economy depends on agriculture, coffee plantations, foretry and tourism.

There are many versions behind the origin of the name Kodagu. According to the Puranas, Kodava is the redifned name of Krodhadesa, meaning 'Land of Anger', said to have been inhabited by the Kodava tribe. While for some, it is believed to hve been named after the River Cauveri, where 'kod' means 'give' and 'ava' means 'mother' - which means Cauvery is the 'mother to the people'. Few believe the name originated from the Kannada kudu which means 'dense forest' on a steep hill. It is said that the history of Coorg dates back to as early as 888 AD.
The kingdom was ruled by many dynasties, starting with Gangas of Talakad, Kadambas, Cholas, Kongalvas, Changalvas, Hoysalas and Nayakas. Information on its early history has come primarily from the various inscriptions on stone and copper plates of 9th - 10th century.

The Haleri dynasty was the last noteworthy dynasty to rule the whole of Kodagu. It came into power around mid-16th century and was founded by a young price from Ikkeri. It was the first dynasty in the history of Kodagu, whch spanned 234 years and ruled the entire region.
While everyone talks about the tourism part of Coorg,

Everybody should salutes Coorg for entirely another reason - a very important one. Coorgies in general opt for the military service in India. We thank them for their contribution in securing our borders.

The most common plantation crop is coffee, especially the Robusta variety, with the Arabica variety grown in some parts of southern Kodagu. Many other crops are also grown, including black pepper, para rubber, teak, and cocoa. There are also large areas of natural forest, especially in the forest reserves in the south and east.

Kodagu is considered rich with wildlife and has three wildlife sanctuaries and one national park: Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, Talakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary and Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, and Nagarahole or Rajiv Gandhi National Park.

Dubare Elephant Camp. The place is huge, and if you are a brave soul you can give a bath to the elephant. Again did a routine thing, took an elephant ride! But most fun was watching the elephant take food. The people at the camp make giant balls of food stuff and feed it to the elephants. The elephant in the picture above is waiting for his food.

Main Attractions

1. Talakaveri: the place where the River Kaveri originates. The temple on the riverbanks here is dedicated to lord Brahma, and is one of only two temples dedicated to Brahma in India and Southeast Asia.
2. Nisargadhama: An island and picnic spot near Kushalanagara, formed by the river Kaveri.
3. Iruppu Falls: A sacred spot in south Kodagu in the Brahmagiri hill range. The Lakshmana Tirtha River flows nearby.
4. Abbey Falls: a scenic waterfall 5 km from Madikeri.




5. Dubare: mainly an elephant-capturing and training camp of the Forest Department at the edge of Dubare forest; on the bank of the river Kaveri along the Kushalanagara - Siddapur road.
6. Nagarahole: a national park and wildlife resort.
7. Bhagamandala: situated at the confluence of two rivers, the Kaveri and the Kanika. A third river, the Sujyothi, is said to join from underground.
8. Dargah sharief of Yemmemadu : Dargah Sharief, the Holy Tomb, of Yemmemadu is one of the most sacred shrines for Muslims in Kodagu district. (35 km from Madikeri; Madikeri-Bettageri-Napoklu-Hale Taluku-Yemmemadu).
9. Mandal patti: 28 km from Madikeri. On the way to Abbey Falls, before 3 km from Abbey Falls take right, from there 25 km.
10. Golden-temple-three-idols