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Heaven on the hills

A picturesque charming town situated at an elevation of over 5,000 ft (1,525 m) above sea level, Madikeri is the headquarters of the Kodagu, formerly called Coorg.

Dubbed as the Scotland of India, Kodagu is the home of colourful, robust, martial race, the Kodavas. Said to be the descendants of the Greeks (Alexander's soldiers), the Kodavas are fiercely independent.

Madikeri is a great place to walk, winding lanes meander off the main street and mountain trails promise visual delights

Connecting Madikeri

Air: The nearest airports are Bangalore and Mangalore.

Rail: The nearest railhead is Mysore, which is 114 kms.

Road: Regular buses operate between Madikeri and Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Hassan, Arasikere, Belur, Chikmagalur, Cannanore and Tellicherry.

Places of interest:

Raja's Seat:

According to legend, the kings of Kodagu spent their evenings here enjoying the spectacular sunset from the top of a hill.

Omkareshwara Temple:

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple, built in 1820, is a mix of Islamic and Gothic styles of architecture.

Madikeri Fort:

In the centre of Madikeri, this 19th century fort was once the scene of many a fierce battle. Today, it houses a temple, a chapel, the prison, and a small museum. The fort also offers a panoramic view of Madikeri from its walls.

Raja's Tomb:

Situated at the northern extremity of Mahadevpet at Madikeri are the four tombs of erstwhile rulers.

Coffee Plantation

Kodagu is a coffee country. The coffee estates here produce some of the world's best coffee.

Surrounding places:

Abbi Falls: Just 5 kilometres outside Madikeri, Abbi falls situated in a private coffee estate is a great place for picnic.

Irpu Falls: About 48 km from Virajpet on the way to Nagarahole is the Irupu falls. There is a temple on the banks of river Lakshmana Theertha. Irpu falls is also a trekker's point.

Bhagamandala Temple: About 36 km from Madikeri is the Bhagamandala temple. Built in the Kerala style at the confluence of three rivers (the Cauvery, the Kannika and the Sujyothi), this temple houses a variety of smaller shrines dedicated to various Gods.

Nisargadhama Forest Resort: This resort is located about 2 km from Kushalnagar (30 km from Madikeri) on the State Highway. There are a few islets in the River Cauvery. The cluster of wooden huts, Nisargadhama is built to blend with the sandalwood forest around. Apart from the lodging, a small canteen, a deer park, children's playing area are added attractions.

Talacauvery: This spot, located 45 kms from Madikeri is the origin of the River Cauvery. The source of the River Cauvery captured in a small well less than a meter square. In October on Sankaramana day, thousands gather to see a miracle -the sudden bubbling and frothing of the small well, symbolising the appearance of the Goddess Cauvery.

Accommodation: Several private hotels and the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation-owned hotels provide accommodation.

Source: karnatakatourism.com

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