Coorg, The Wonderland...

Destination: Coorg

Best time to visit: October to May

Date of travel: 24^th – 26^th Dec 2015

Travellers: Myself with parents and brother

Transport: 4 wheeler

Route map: Gadag – Belur – Halebidu – Bylukuppe – Madikeri (halt) - Abbey falls – Mandalapatti – Bhagmandal – Talakaveri – Raja seat, Fort, Omkareshwar temple – (halt) - Dubare elephant camp – Nisarghadham – Gadag

Stay: Anand homestay

Video link: Coorg, The wonderland
  

About Coorg (Kodagu):

Coorg is nicknamed as 'Scotland of India' and 'Kashmir of South'. It lies at an altitude of 3500ft above the sea level in Western Ghats of south-western Karnataka. Located amidst misty mountains, verdant valleys, scenic coffee plantations, Coorg is a perfect gateway for nature lovers. Thickets of bamboo and sandalwood forests, stunning waterfalls and undulated mountain ranges glorify the beauty of alluring coorg. Trekking expeditions to brahmagiri, pushpagiri, tadiandamol peaks and white water rafting make coorg an exquisite destination for adventure freaks.

Details of the trip:

Day 1:  Gadag – Belur – Halebidu – Bylukuppe – Madikeri (halt)

·    We started from Gadag (North Karnataka) around 6:00 am. After visiting Belur, Halebidu headed towards Coorg via Kushalnagar.

·     We visited Buddhist Namdroling Monastery of Bylukuppe, which is about 8km from Kushalnagar. Home to over 6000 monks, it is a 2^nd largest Tibetan settlement in India after Dharmashala. By the time we reached there (around 4pm), the students of the monastery had begun their evening prayer. Then we visited the main attraction of this settlement, Golden temple that houses 40ft tall Buddha statue.
·    We then headed to Madikeri and halted at the pre-booked homestay on the outskirts of Madikeri. As it was an extended weekend due to Christmas holidays, no homestays within the town were available to book. Anand homestay indeed had a pleasant ambience to stay in.    

Buddhist Namdroling Monastery of Bylukuppe

Day 2: Abbey falls – Mandalapatti – Bhagmandal – Talakaveri – Raja seat, Fort, Omkareshwar temple – halt

·     We started for the abbey falls at 8am which is about 7km from the city. The road is very narrow with hair pin curves. Abbey means ‘waterfall’ in kodava language and is the main attraction of madikeri. Vehicles can reach the entrance to the falls and then a 500mts downhill walk through coffee plantations in slightly paved steps led us to the waterfalls. We aren’t allowed to go to the stream, but from the hanging bridge, can have the spectacular view of the falls cascading down a rock from a height of 70ft. moreover one can enjoy the feeling of being amidst beautiful nature.

Abbey falls

·   Next spot to head was Mandalpatti (about 20km from the falls) that comes under the Pushpagiri wildlife sanctuary. It’s a nightmare to get to the place if taking our own vehicle as the condition of the road is pretty bad. On a screwed path, one can indeed enjoy the trip due to mesmerizing beauty of nature around. From the parking area, we arrived to hike up the hill to reach the view point, but hike isn’t a rigorous one. From the view point, one can experience the breath-taking view of lush green undulating mountains trying to reach the clear sky. 'The most beautiful places are at the ends of really bad roads'  and Mandalpatti is one of those places. It is absolutely a scenic place that shouldn’t be missed if planning for Coorg. Best time to visit this place is post monsoon as the hills are slippery during monsoon and you can’t start this place early in the morning as thick mist would be covered. There is not much scope for trekking but you can do a mini hike around a few kms.

Mandalapatti

View point, Mandalapatti

·   Then we headed back to Madikeri, had a launch and drove to Bhagamandal (about 35km). It is located on the bank of triveni sangam, a confluence of 3 rivers: Cauvery, Kannike and Sujyoti. It is said that a dip in holy sangam completes the Hindu Shraddha rites for the deprived soul. We paid a visit to Bhagandeshwar temple which follows the Kerala temple. According to mythology the temple is named after Bhaganda muni who installed Shivalinga here. 

Bhagamandal

·    We continued advancing (about 10km) until reaching the most sacred place Talacauvery, which is a birth place of river Cauvery (Brahmagiri hills). A small perennial spring, Brahma kundike located 1276m above sea level marks the origin of Cauvery and the temple dedicated to lord Agastheeswara is built on it. From Talacauvery the steps lead to the Brahmagiri peak where Sapta maharshis are said to have performed special yagna. We can have a wonderful view of Brahmagiri hills from the peak.

Talakaveri

·  We then returned to Madikeri and arrived at the fort around 4:30pm. There is nothing much to sea in this place. The palace of erstwhile kings inside the fort now houses the offices of deputy commissary.

·   Next place to visit was Omkareshwar temple which is one of the oldest temples. The architecture of the temple is amalgam of Gothic and Islamic styles.  

·     Then we went to Raja seat, a sunset view point surrounded by a garden. Apparently, erstwhile kings of coorg would spend their evenings watching the sunset here. The spectacular sunset beyond the blue Mountains is breath-taking. A panoramic view of the valley, paddy fields and the road to Mangalore glorify the beauty of the Raja seat. The musical fountain show after sunset will last until 7pm.

Raja seat

·   This ended our sight-seeing. Late evening was for local shopping as coorg is famous for coffee, spices, honey and home-made chocolates.

Day 3: Dubare elephant camp – Nisarghadham – Gadag

·     We checked out from the homestay and started for Dubare elephant camp which is about 30km from coorg. At about 9.30am we reached Dubare and crossed a river by boat to reach an island (approximately 11acres). Instead of taking boat, you can also reach an island by rafting across the water body. Here the elephants are groomed and trained by forest dept. It even has a historical significabce as the elephants used in Mysore Dassehra are trained in this camp. We watched closely the elephants obeying instructions, taking scrub bath and it was more fun to see the elephants playing in water. Elephant rides and white river water rafting are also offered.

Elephant camp, Dubare

Elephant camp, Dubare

·    Then we went to the last destination of our trip Cauvery Nisargadham on the way back (about 10km) from dubare. It is a man-made island of 64acres land connected by hanging bridge. Although the maintenance of the place is very poor, it consists of wide variety of ayurvedic plants, deer park, shack house, elephant ride and boating. There is nothing much in this place but can walk for some time around thick bamboo groves and enjoy the pics.

Cauvery nisargadham

·        After the launch we headed back to gadag.

Timings and Entry fees: as on December 2015

          Timings                      Per head        

·        Raja seat                                                                                    : 5rs

·        Omkareshwara temple            :  06.30am-12.00pm                            
                                                   : 05.00pm-08.00pm                     

·        Cauvery nisarghadham                                                          : 10rs

·        Dubare Elephant camp           : 08.30am-10.30am              : 20rs              

                                                        : 04.30pm-05.30pm   

o   Elephant bathing            : 09.00am-10.00am              : 100rs                       

o   Elephant briefing            : 10.00am-10.30am              : 50rs              

o   Elephant ride                  : 10.30am-12.00pm              : 100rs                       

o   Water rafting                              -                                  : 100rs