Around Madikeri
Madikeri or Mercara is the main town of Coorg and is also a well known hill station. Some of the important places to visit around Madikeri are Raja seat-a well maintained garden with great views of the hills, Abbi-Falls a beautiful waterfall, Bhaga-mandala and finally Tala-Kaveri-the birth place of river Cauvery is an astoundingly beautiful place which is surrounded by mountains. |  abbifalls |
Talakaveri
River Cauvery which is one of the 7 sacred rivers of Sapta Sindhus of the Hindu scriptures, originated at a place is called Talakaveri in the Brahmagiri hills, at about 4,500 ft above sea level. This place is marked by a kund like from where the river emerges as a small perennial spring, but flows underground again to emerge a short distance away. |  madikeri fort |
There is a shrine near the kundike and a big tank in front of it where devotees baths before offering prayers. There are 2 temples, a Shiva temple and with a rare and ancient Shiva Linga, and another temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha. This temple has a holy Ashwantha tree where, according to legend, the Trimurtis - Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh gave darshan to sage Agastya. Legends also has it that every year on Tulasankramana day (approximately on 17 October) Goddess Parvati appears in the Kundike as the sacred teerthodbhava. This occasion is marked by the sudden upsurge of water in the kundike and is considered very auspicious From Talakaveri, steps lead up to the nearby Brahmagri peak, where the 7 great sages called the Sapta Maharishis had performed a special yagna. From the peak, as well as on the drive to Talakaveri, tourists can enjoy a good view of the misty blue Brahmagiri hills. |  rajas seat |
Iruppu Falls
There is a sacred spot called Iruppu in south Kodagu on the Brahmagiri range of hills. River Lakshmana-tirtha flows nearby. Legend says that Rama and Lakshmana passed this way while searching for Ramas concert, Sita. Rama asked Lakshmana to fetch some drinking water for him. Lakshmana shot an arrow into the Brahmagiri hills and brought into being river Lakshmanatirtha. The river descends perpendicularly into a great cataract known as the Iruppu Falls. This place is believed to possess the power to cleanse ones sins and is visited by thousands of devotees from far and near on Shivaratri day. There is temple dedicated to Sri Ram, surrounded by paddy fields, from where it is a climb up to the falls through natural forest. This place can be visited from Gonikopal on the way to Nagerhole National Park by taking a detour after Srimangala, situated in the Kutta Road.
|  rajas tomb |
Abbey Falls
A big attraction for tourists and filmdom alike is the Abbey Falls, 8 kms from Madikeri. Even during the summer there is plenty of water in these falls. The roar of the falls can be heard from the main road, from where a path goes through lovely coffee and cardamom plantations right up to them. The chirping of innumerable birds which are easier heard then seen, fill the air with sweet music. Do remember to take your binoculars and camera when you go there.
|  omkareshwara temple |
Dubare
This is mainly an elephant capturing and training camp of the Forest Department, at the edge of Dubare forest, on the bank of river Cauveri, on the Kushalnagar - Siddapur road. The largest land animal is captured here with the help of tamed elephants and local tribes - the Kurbas - and is held captive for up to 6 months in large teak wood cages. The tamed elephants attend to various jobs during the day and in the evenings they come down to the river to bathe and to be scrubbed clean by their mahouts. Afterwards the mahout obliges eager tourists for free elephant rides within the camp. In the evenings, all the elephants are offered a special treat of ladoos made of ragi and jaggery, each no smaller than a cannon ball!
| |
Valanoor
Valanoor, 30 kms.from Mercara,the back waters of river Cauvery is one of the most beautiful Angling sites in Karnataka. Types of fish include Golden-Masheer, Maral and Mapp. Licence / permit can be arranged by local tourist agents.
| |
Bhagamandala
Bhagamandala is situated at the confluence of 3 rivers (the Cauvery, the Kanika and the Sujyothi). The temple here, built in Kerala style, has smaller shrines dedicated to various Gods. | |
Nisargadhama
Nisargadhama Known for its calm, serene beauty, this place is an ideal picnic spot visited by hundreds of tourists throughout the year.
| |
Harangi Dam
Harangi Dam is a great picnic spot 36 kms from Madikeri.
| |
Overview : Madikeri
Religious : Tala Cauvery Sri Bhagandeshwara Temple, Golden Temple
WaterFallls : Iruppu Falls Abbey Falls
Elephant Camp : Dubare
Coffee and Spice :
|
