Madikeri/ Mercara - Coorg Trips - Cofee Plantations in Western Ghats, Karnataka

Merkara or Madikeri, the district headquarters had been the capital of the Helari Kings. This place gains historic importance from the monuments it holds. The meeting point of Cauvery and Kanike, Bagamandala has a famous Siva temple. The Abbey falls makes a fine picnic spot. Talakaveri, the legendary place from where the sacred river Cauvery originates, has a rare temple dedicated to Goddess Cauvery. The Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary and the Nagarhole wildlife Sanctuary unfold the hidden beauties of nature with the former one having been declared a 'Tiger Project' in 1973.

Madikeri was small town in 1817 AD with hardly 300 houses. After the British annexed Kodagu by 1834 AD the town began to expand. The town was constituted into a municipality by 1870 AD. The headquarters of Kodagu district, Madikeri is now a town with a population of 28,729 as per 1991 census.

Madikeri is just made for walking and marvelling at nature. The air is redolent with the fragrance of flowers and coffee blossoms. All around are fields of red berries, teak wood forests, coffee plantations, cardamom and pepper fields. Peaceful mountain trails snake up the hillside while the tallest peak Tadiyendamol, dominates them all.

Mercara - Madikeri

252 km from Bangalore and 120 km west of Mysore lies Mercara, the district headquarters of Coorg known as "The Scotland of India". Mercara has enchanted the visitors with its misty hills, lush forests, coffee plantations, undulating streets and breath taking views. It is also a trekker's delight with lovely mountain trails. Coorg district is in the south west of Karnataka bordering with Kerala.

We continued with the descent and reached a village by dusk. Then was a painful 6 km walk on road to reach our camping place which became excruciating for many others as some of us started straining our vocal chords in anticipation of some melody coming forth in other words Antakshari. That kept me going till I reached the camping spot, lay down on the grass and called it a day till dinner

Just about 35 km from Mangalore, Moodabiddri is known as the Jaina Kashi of the South. It is famous for its 18 Basadis dedicated to Thirthankaras.

Madikeri (Coorg)

Madikeri is 252 km from Bangalore and 1525 m above sea level. It is a popular hill station in Karnataka. It is the district headquarter of Kodagu. It has been Dubbed as the Scotland of India due to its misty hills, lush forests, acres and acres of tea and coffee plantations, undulating streets and breathtaking views. Local food specialities include Pandhi Curry(Pork Curry), Kadumbuttu (Rice Dumplings), Koli Curry (Chicken Curry), Nool Puttu ( Rice Noodles), Bembla Curry (Bamboo Shoot Curry) and Votti (Rice Roti).

It is a great place to walk. Winding lanes meander off the main street. Mountain trails promise visual delights. Tadiyendamol is the tallest peak in the area, stands patiently, waiting to be climbed. Madikeri is the picturesque capital of Coorg, where time seems to have stopped. Dotted with a cluster of redroofed dwellings and a bustling bazaar, the town situated at an elevation of 1525 m, has a charming oldworld feel.

While in Madikeri, be adventurous and try Coorg cuisine, which is delightfully different, spicy and smattered with Greek influences. Try the Panthi or spicy pork curry, the Koli or chicken curry and the delicious rice rotis. And if you want to take a little bit of Coorg back with you, pick up some delicately flavoured Coorg honey and the highly aromatic coffee from one of the many outlets scattered about town.

Previously known as Mercara, Madikeri is the ancient name of this picturesque capital town. Situated at 1,525 m elevation, the town is great for walking around, surrounded by rolling which offer excellent trails for hikes. Tadiyendamol is the tallest peak here, Waiting to be climbed. One can have a distant glimpse of the Arabian Sea from this peak.

Coorg has many tourist places and attractions to offer to its visitors. In the center of the town is the Madikeri Fort, which was built in the 19th century and has a small museum. On display are some arms, armour, historical paintings and articles of the previous rulers. There is a palace and a prison in the fort.

A 19th century fort, it now houses a temple, a chapel, the prison, a small museum and assorted government offices. Golf courses Madikeri and Pollibetta have golf courses, Madikeri courses being a nine hole one. Raja's seat A promontory with breathtaking view, it is said that for centuries the Kodagu royals came here in the evenings to watch the spectacular sunsets.

Baba Budanagiri Range

Mudabidri Jain Basadi MangaloreAcclaimed as the 'Jain Varanasi' of South India, the landscape of Mudabidri is dotted with 18 Jain basadis. Basadis are Jain monasteries or temples where an image of one of the twenty four tirthankaras (saints) is installed and worshipped.

The crown jewel among the Jain Basadis is the Tribhuvana Tilaka Choodamani Basadi, also known as the thousand pillars basadi. This 15th century magnificent architecture, culmination of about 50 years of painstaking craftsmanship, has one thousand exquisite carved pillars each ornamented with different designs.

The sanctum of the Basadi contains an image of Chandranatha which is more than seven feet in height and is made of Panchaloha (five alloys). In addition to a valuable collection of jewel encrusted metallic images of Jain tirthankaras, Manasthamba, the free standing pillar is another attraction. The Jain Mutt near the main temple entrance has a library preserving some beautiful 12th and 13th century palm leaf manuscripts.

How to reach

Air

Nearest airport is Mangalore

Rail

Nearest railway stations Mysore and Mangalore are well connected to other cities.

Road

Regular buses ply from Bangalore,Mysore,Hassan and Mangalore to Madikeri.

Bus

Regular buses ply between Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Hassan, Arsikere, Belur, Chikmagalur, Cannanore and Tellicherry to Madikeri.

Madikeri 571 201
Phone: 08272225500(O),225537(O)
225700(R)
Fax: 08272225500
E-mail: dckodagu@kar.nic.in

Around Madikeri

Very close is Nagara hole National Park, one of the most well maintained game sanctuaries in south India. It is accessible from Mysore via Hunsur and Murkal 94 km from Mysore. Visible often are elephant, spotted deer, sambar, bison, chital Jeep and elephant rides available for jungle safari. Harangi Situated in north Kodagu, it is a beautiful reservoir and ideal for weekend or short holiday staying at the guest house. The placid water surface is good for quiet water sports. There is a dairy farm nearby. Season October May

Horticultural Research Centre

Situated in Chettahalli, 24 Km from Makikeri, it specializes in improving the local flora like pepper, mango, pears, peaches, guavas, oranges, bananas, pineapples and Kodau's special favourite, passion fruit. It also has a nursery and sells plants. Talakaveri The mighty river Cauvery rises here out of a small well. On Sankaramana day in October, one can see actually the holy water gushing out at a precise moment known beforehand. This is considered a special religious miracle and thousands of pilgrims come here to watch it. The water here is considered to have special properties and holy bath on this day is expected to give physical and spiritual strength stay.

Madikeri

Abbey Falls

Bhagamandala

Harangi Dam

Iruppu Falls

Madikeri Fort

Nisargadhama

Raja's Seat ( Sunset point)

Talakaveri / Talacauvery

Accommodations

There are plenty of hotels available in the town which ranges form Rs.200 to Rs.2000 per day. Tourists can select the hotels as per their choice. There are a number of Holiday resorts in and around Madikeri. Home stays are also available in the country side.

Other recommendations

There are other places of worth visit around Madikeri are 1. Dubare, 2. Nisargadhama, 28 km, 3. Nalkand Palace, 40 Km., 4. Nagarhole, 90 Km, 5. Irpu falls, 85 Km.,and 6. Harangi Dam, 36 Km.

Madikeri is a Hill station situated in Coorg region known for its coffee and spice plantations. It is located at 170 kms from Mangalore and the road to Madikeri passes through a very picturesque terrain.

There are quite a few options for traveling around Madikeri
Elephant Training Camp at Dubare (20 km) on banks of river Cauvery where Elephant ride is possible.

Tibetan Village and Monastery 35 km