Coorg is one of the districts in Karnataka today. Moreover, it is located in the Southwestern part of Karnataka in the Western Ghats. It shares several borders with Kerala. The hill station is a quaint one and quite less populous than the other districts nearby. The highest peak in Coorg is at 5,740 feet. Today, Coorg is rated as one of the topmost hill stations in India. It is a destination which has that beautiful combination of greenery and mistiness. It is also called the Scotland of the East. Some of you may also hear the name Kodagu, being associated with the place.
The local community mostly comprise Kodavas, hence the name. Like most other places, the British had spent quite some time here and changed the name to Coorg before they left. Some of the most popular attractions in the district are Talakaveri, Bhagamandala, Nisargadhama, and the Tibetan Buddhist Golden Temple, to name a few. You will also be greeted by numerous coffee plantations and vines in the region. Apart from the hills, the climate, and greenery, you will also find many temples, and monasteries in the region. October to May is the peak tourist season in Coorg.
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Background of Coorg
According to historical texts, the history of the region goes back to the 8th and 9th centuries. The Pandyas and Cholas are among the various kingdoms which ruled Coorg. The Vijayanagar Empire took to power in the 14th century. In the days that followed, several kingdoms like Deccan Sultan’ Nayaks, the Changavas, and the Lingayats ruled the place. The latter formed the Paleri Rule, under whom the region became an independent kingdom. Tipu Sultan also tried to usurp the Kodagu region but failed. Thereafter, from the 17th to the 19th century, the Wodeyars ruled over the region. Later the British took over in and around 1834. In 1956, Coorg was recognized as a district in Kannadiga.
Popular Tourist Attractions of Coorg
Today, Coorg is a tourism destination in the southern part of India, which has made a name of its own. Many travellers visit the scenic hill station to enjoy the scenic beauty. Nisargadhama is one of the beautiful ecological parks in the region, where people love to go for a stroll. If you want to witness historical monuments, you should head to Gaddige. The remains of the Kodavas are present in the tombs and crypts there. You will find the place built in a typical Islamic fashion, and it is quite distinct from other places in the district. If you want to taste a slice of Tibet, it has got to be at Bylakuppe, where Buddhists are based.
If the animals beckon you, you can head to the elephant camps at Dubare. You will find many coffee plantations in Coorg, apart from hills, streams, rivers, and lush green forests. Moreover, the place has its share of festivities as well. Kailpodh Festival is amongst the most celebrated ones there. It signifies the end of the period for the transplantation of rice crops. These days all the plough equipment and agricultural tools are cleaned and worshipped. You can also visit the district in mid-October, when the Kaveri Sankramana is celebrated. Madikeri Dassara, is another popular festival, where you can visit Coorg.
You should check out the top attractions at Coorg, on a holiday as given below.
- Abbey Falls
- Chiklihole Reservoir
- Dubare Elephant Camp
- Harangi Dam
- Honnama Lake
- Omkareswara Temple
- Kotebetta Peak
- Madikeri Fort
- Mallalli Falls
- Mandalpatti Trek
- Padi Igguthappa Temple
- Raja’s Seat
- Somwarpet
- Suntikoppa
- Talakaveri
- Dargah Sharif of Yemmemadu
- Gaddige
Activities That You Can Indulge in Coorg
When you visit a tourist place, apart from just visiting attractive spots, you may also want to engage in a few activities. There is a lot of scope for such activities in hill stations. Read about them below:
Trekking – This is one of the first activities that come to mind when you think about hilly regions. You can avail yourself of numerous such activities in the verdant regions of Coorg. Some of the trekking routes are Tadiandamol, Kodachadri, and Mullayanagiri. These are just a few of the myriad spots that are present for hiking and trekking.
Coffee Plantation Tour – This is one of the best things that you can engage in Coorg. You can visit the place from November to January to witness coffee fruit picking sessions.
Camping – There is no dearth of riverine estuaries and jungles in Coorg. The place has garnered a lot of popularity in recent times due to camping activities. You can avail yourself of such curated opportunities, and gaze at the stars, the whole night.
Fishing – You can also go fishing in the Cauvery River. The place is extremely rich in aquatic life, and a haven for activities like angling and fishing. June is the best month for such activities there.
River Rafting – You will also enjoy river rafting in Coorg. It is one of the top adrenaline- pumping activities that tourists love to engage in. You can head to Barapole River, where such expeditions are arranged. There are five grades in the river, from novices to professionals.
Quad Biking – This is another one of those interesting things that tourists engage in. You can do this on all kinds of terrains, from flat surfaces to steep slope, and also inthe jungles. Moreover, you may be allowed to engage in such trips through paddy fields as well. So, apart from enjoying the fun and thrill, you get to see panoramic views of the place.
How To Spend a Few Days in Coorg
You can visit as many as 12-15 spots on a two-day trip to Coorg. Many people combine their trips to Mysore, Bengaluru, Wayanad, Nagarhole, and Kabini, to name a few. You can also directly visit Coorg, and spend a day or two there. On a two-day trip, you can cover Abbey falls, Omkareswar Temple, Madikeri Fort, Raja’s Seat, Dubare, Nisargadhama, Chiklihole, and many more places nearby. Bathe the elephants at Dubare Elephant Camp and have fun interacting with the gentle giants. Moreover, you can also squeeze in a white-water rafting trip. The Golden Tibet Temple is also a must-visit. If you are heading toward Brahmagiri Hills for some adventure, you might as well cover the Talacauvery Temple. The hills are an ideal spot for trekking and camping, too. A visit to the Government Museum, Dargah Sharif, and Gaddige, are also possible, if you plan properly. If you have extra time in hand, you can also fit in Nagarhole National Park.
How to Reach Coorg
The nearest airport is at Mangalore. Moreover, the distance from Mangalore International Airport is around 160 kms from Coorg. Kempegowda International Airport at Bengaluru is 265 km away. You will get lots of rental cabs and state buses from the airport. It takes around 2-4 hours from the mentioned airports, respectively.
You will get lots of K.S.R.T.C buses from Mangalore, Bengaluru, and Mysore to visit Coorg, as well. The national highways are very well developed.
You can also reach Mysore Railway Station, from where you can take a car or bus to Ooty.
If you are travelling from any of the other parts of India, apart from southern India, flights and trains are the best option.
Places to Stay in Coorg
You can stay in different categories of hotels according to your budget. The Purple Palms Resort and Spa is one of the top reviewed hotels there. You will also find plenty of resorts in Coorg. Homestays are quite popular in Somwarpet, Mandalpatti, and Kutta. You can relish the homestay experience. Furthermore, many colonial bungalows are also given out for rent. You can choose them as well.