In the Kodagu district of Karnataka, a state situated in southern India, there is a hill station. It is set away from the hustle and bustle of traffic, city noise, and the restless of cities. It is in fact a small town with uneven – read “hilly” – roads that are very adventurous to travel on, more on a two-wheeler rather than a three- or even a four-wheeler.
This place is Coorg.
When we say Coorg, the first thing that will come to a lot of people’s minds is coffee. That’s what it is famous for.
How do you reach Coorg? The best accessible path is by Bengaluru, the capital city of Karnataka. Catch the USA to Bengaluru flights; from there, catch a bus to Madikeri. You can drive by car, but the vehicle is useless once in Madikeri; the best way to enjoy exploring it is on a two-wheeler. Then, from there, you can ride by car to Coorg.
If you ever decide to come here, here are some awesome places to visit in Coorg. You must explore these places if you want to see why it is such a tourist attraction.
Abbey Falls
Waterfalls are always so mesmerizing and it is easy to get lost in the swift swooshing and slashing of water that cascades down from a great height. The Abbey Falls of Coorg is no different. It is, therefore, one of the best places to visit in Coorg!
Originally called Jessy Falls, it is famous for its picturesque beauty. The water falls from over 20 meters above the ground. It is in fact a place for taking some great photography. This should be your first place to visit after your long flight from Philadelphia to Bengaluru.
Best time to visit Abbey Falls: The best time to visit the Abbey Falls is in the monsoon season, which is from July to October.
Fascinating fact about Abbey Falls: The water of the Abbey Falls descends from a height of around 200 steps!
Dubare Elephant Camp
The Dubare Elephant Camp was once a training site for elephants that were to participate in Mysore’s Dasara procession. It is located on the banks of the River Cauvery (Kaveri). Enthusiasts of nature and wildlife will love this site, making it one of the best attractions in Coorg.
Now, the camp has been taken over by the Forest Department and it prepares the elephants not for the Dasara celebrations in Mysore, but for rides to tourists. It is a great place to get some quality time to spend with Mother Nature.
Best time to visit Dubare Elephant Camp: The best time to visit the Dubare Elephant Camp is in the morning when the elephants are taking a bath in the river.
Fascinating fact about Dubare Elephant Camp: The Dubare Elephant Camp was once a training site for elephants for the Dasara celebration in Mysore.
Madikeri Fort
Standing since the 17th century CE, the Madikeri Fort has stood witness to several battles in its day. Today, it is a perfect representation of historical and cultural identity of Coorg. There is a museum inside this fort that was once a church that is made of Gothic-style of architecture; it is now overseen by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). There is a palace inside, too, that you can explore. Overall, this fort is a great place for visitors to learn the history of Coorg.
As per records, the Madikeri Fort had been rebuilt several times, which is probably believable due to its warring history. First built in the last quarter of the 17th century CE (1681) by Muddaraja of the Haleri dynasty, it was destroyed during a battle. It was rebuilt by Tipu Sultan of Mysore, this time with stones and bricks, and renamed to Jaffarabad. It was rebuilt once again by Lingaraja Wodeyar II of the Wodeyar dynasty in Mysore. The church was added in place of a temple dedicated to Virabhadra.
It is believed that it was from the name “Muddu Raja Keri” – associated with Mudduraja – came the modern name “Madikeri”.
Best time to visit Madikeri Fort: The best time to visit the Madikeri Fort is during the monsoon, which is from July to September.
Fascinating fact about Madikeri Fort: It is believed that the name “Madikeri” was derived from the name of the original founder of the Madikeri Fort. His capital was called “Muddu Raja Keri” and was probably modernized to the name “Madikeri”.
Raja’s Seat
One of the greatest attractions in Coorg is the Raja’s Seat.
Raja’s Seat may sound like it is some kind of a throne associated with a king, but it is in fact a garden! It is a great viewpoint for watching the sunset, since it overlooks the valley to the west. It is dotted with some lovely flowering plants and here and there, you can see bigger than life-size statues of all kinds of creatures, including dinosaurs!
There are some great spots here to take photographs, including the scenery, the statues, and arches here and there in the garden. The trees and bushes here are trimmed perfectly and they are a sight to behold!
Best time to visit Raja’s Seat: The best time to visit Raja’s Seat is the monsoon, which is from July to September.
Fascinating fact about Raja’s Seat: It was here that the kings of history used to come to watch the sunset and spend time with their queens.
These are some of the best places to visit in Coorg. Let us know in the comments below if you have visited any other attractions in Coorg!
