If life in the densely populated, highly polluted cities gets beyond certain levels of sanity, then it's time to take a break. Just 260 kilometers away from Bangalore is Kodagu, as the locals prefer to call Coorg. A 2-3 days' stay will calm your nerves and restore that healthy balance you desperately need.
Coorg comes under Kodagu district, having good places to visit,like Medikeri, Cauvery, Bhagmandala, Nisargadham, Tibetian colony, Dubare forest, Talacauvery, Raja seat, Abhi falls, Nagarhole forest (border of Kerala) and many more.
Coorg is all about coffee. With a fair amount of cardamom and pepper thrown in. As you drive on those winding roads through the coffee plantations, you'll wonder at the marvels and mysteries of Mother Nature and her endless enthusiasm to create spectacular sights that is every where exemplified in Coorg.
Here starts
our journey..One fine evening while discussing with friends We decided to head towards Coorg (which is also called as Scotland of India) on a pleasant winter morning. We were four (Ranjith.K, Ravi.S, Ravi.Y, Sharath.K & Vijay.K) of us. We took S.Ravi's Swift at the time of Christmas holidays.
A still at Hathihole towards Somwarpet
Day 1 - We started to Coorg on 24th early morning at 4 am from Hyderabad. something that never really happens ever! we reached Bangalore at around 6 pm and visited couple of friends in Bangalore and halted at one of our friends house who is also joining us to Coorg.
Day 2 - Next day morning we started to Madikeri (capital of Kodagu dist) at 11am towards Mysore road , as we been to Mysore, took right turn from Mysore Road after Srirangapatna towards Ranganthittu, and continue on towards Hunsur (left/straight) instead of turning right towards Ranganthittu after the Railway crossing. You effectively save about 50 KM by avoiding Mysore. (check the route on maps), the only place to worry is the roads before and after Kushalnagar which are rather heavily pot-holed. Rest of the way it is smooth roads.we reached Madikeri around 8pm and found hard to find a stay for us, we almost explored 3 hrs to find a home-stay.
Day 3 - Morning around 8 am ,we left for Talacauveri. We stopped, in between to enjoy the scenic beauty of hills engulfed by dark clouds. Its was a treat for eyes and the cool breeze fill us with enjoyment. We tried to capture the beauty in our camera, but the real beauty which our eyes can see cant get into our camera. Bhagmandla comes in way to Talacauvery, but we decided to go for Talacauvey first ,situated high up on the mountain. On reaching the top,we found surrounding engulfed in clouds and too cool.
We worshipped the holy water ow anotice b
oard mentioning “not to touch the holy water”, but still people were doing so. Next to it, a temple of Lord Shiva and Ganesha was there.We had our darshan and moved towards the stairs going up to the hill.After covering around 320 steps, we found our self at the top of the world. Nothing was visible from there as of clouds. Spending around half an hour there, we decided to go for Bhagmandla. On the way to Bhagmandla,we saw forest honey in one shop.
They are of different types and tastes.Cost varies from Rs 90 to Rs 180. And you would be surprised to see honey packed in bear and whiskey labeled bottles. Reaching Bhagmandala, we found, it`s a holy place for Hindus, holy river Cauvery with small stream flows here. The scenic beauty from here was awesome and we feel enchanted. after reaching Madikeri, we moved for Abbi Falls. Just 7 kilometers from Madikeri town is Abbi Falls. As remarkable and striking a sight you would
see anywhere. The narrow road to Abbi Falls is a combination of steep ups and downs, twists and turns leads you downward to where the waterfall can be seen in the dense forest. After enjoying the waterfall our next target was to visit Raja's seat. It`s famous for its view point of the scenic beauty of the valley. Raja used to sit a
t this place to enjoy the natural beauty. From there the view of the valley was awesome. Raja's seat situated very near to our staying hotel. In an hour we back to our hotel .Day 4, - We explored a place called Dodigandi, towards Somwarpet road taking right from Hathihole, a private place where we enjoyed beautiful scenes along with river Cauvery and also explored some cinema shooting locations where Pazhassi Raja (film) been shooted and also take the road to Somwarpet. If this 42-kilometer, one-and-half hour drive doesn't perk you up, wonder what will. This is the coffee heartland of Coorg. You will pass through some of the finest coffee estates you will ever see. Magnificent trees reaching up to the skies, casting much wanted masses of shade to the coffee plants, of course we dint make to meet this place cause we had less time, on the way back we visited Raja seat.
Day 5 - while way back to Bangalore we planned to touch out left places like Nisagadhama, Dubare Forest and Tibetan Colony. It is the best place to visit in Coorg. We saw the Tibetan monastery, with golden temple of lord Buddha. Its a peaceful place with Buddhist scholars all around. Neatness and cleanliness in Tibetian colony absorbs one attention. One should not miss to view golden temple while visiting Coorg. A good place for shopping freeks. By the time we reached Bangalore it was around 8:30 pm.
These series of questions came to us during the journey, for some reason i find it amusing and wish to mention below, ofcourse simeple questions which tests your ability, whether you tend to do simple things in overly complicated way, and or consider implications from your previous actions and last but least test's your memory power. here are the questions..
I am providing the contact numbers of the place we stayed as we struggled a lot for homestay for four hours as we are new to place.
Location we stayed at Misty View - their contact no's
9448448636, 9448264629, 08272-228414
1. How do you put a giraffe in the fridge?
2.How do you put an elephant in the fridge?
3.The Lion King is hosting an animal conference. All the animals attend.... except one. Which animal does not attend?
4. There is a river you must cross but it is used by crocodiles, and you do not have a boat. How do you manage it?
5.Ant and Elephant are going on the bike, they met with an accident, elephant is full of injuries but ant is safe, why?
6.How do you know if there is an elephant in the pub?
hmmm, if you know the answer its fine, nor comeup with answers.
thank you.
Places to visit in Coorg (Distance from Madikeri)
Local
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Omlareshwara Temple 1 Km
Fort 1 Km
Raja's Seat 1 Km
Nehru Mantap 1 Km
Raja's Tomb 1.5 Km
Abbi Falls 9 Km
Kushalnagar route to Madikeri
--------------------------
Cauvery Nisargadhama 32 Km
Harangi Dam 38 Km
Tibetian Colony 38 Km
Dubare Forest 42 Km
Madikeri to Talacauvery route
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Bhagmandala 40 Km
Talacauvery 48 Km
Virajpet route to Madikeri
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Nagarahole 98Km
Sidhapur (Beautiful Scenic view's with full of greenery n Coffee Plantation)
