Festivals: The traditional festivals of the Kodavas are associated with either the agricultural or the military nature of its people.Keilpoldu or Keilmurta From June to September the Kodavas are fully devoted to agriculture. September marks the end of the sowing of the paddy as also the season of agricultural work. Keilpoldu, or the festival of arms, is the day when all the weapons and arms are removed, polished, worshipped and taken up once again. The occasion is marked by festivities that include a great feast followed by a gathering at the village green for sports and games. Races are conducted and competitions of marksmanship are held. As the grand finale the men usually set out on hunt. Kaveri Shankaramana Observed in October, this festival is associated with the river Cauvery, which has a very big influence in a Kodava’s life. As agriculturists, their entire economy and prosperity depends on availability of water, amply provided by the river Cauvery, which flows through the district.
On this auspicious day in October at a pre-determined time, mother Cauvery springs like a fountain from a small tank and fills the bigger holy tank in Talacauvery, the point of origin of the river. People throng the place in thousands to take a holy dip in this water. This water is filled in bottles and reaches every house in Kodagu and this is treated as Theertha – meaning holy water.


Coorg Cusine


Coorg cuisine is highly influenced by the mouth-watering South Indian delicacies. A lot of coconut, curry leaves, ginger, chilli and spices like pepper and cardamom, grown here in abundance are used. Most South Indian states boast of a vegetarian diet but Coorg has a very rich cuisine of dishes prepared with meat, pork being an all time favourite. The ingredients though, bear a strong resemblance to those used to prepare the mouth-watering delicacies of the South. Thus we find abundant use of curry leaves, coconut and chilli. Pork, mushrooms, chicken, bamboo-shoots, rice and banana are but a few favourite ingredients that result in the delicious food prepared.


Climate of Coorg
Coorg enjoys a moderate climate. Winters are pleasantly cool at 15-20 degrees Celsius though during December to February the minimum temperature may go down to 9o C. Summers are only slightly warm at 25-35 degrees Celsius. June, July & August are the months with heavy rainfall. During this season the weather is cool, humid and wet.
Coffee blossoms fill the air with an exhilarating fragrance in March-April. During May the cool and pure waters of the Cauvery are ideal for bathing in at the Dubare forest or Nisarga Dhama or for enjoying a dip near the Iruppu or Abbi Falls.
With the onset of the monsoons in June, everything becomes lush green. The glory of many seasonal waterfalls and the Cauvery flowing in all her majesty can best be seen during July – September.
The Dushera festival and Cauvery Sankramana herald the beginning of the regular tourist season in Kodagu. The best season to visit Coorg is between September and March.

Place to see
Madikeri
The capital of Coorg formerly called Mercara, Madikeri is often known as the Scotland of India. It has enchanted millions of travellers with its misty hills, lush forests, coffee plantations and breath taking views. Also known for its lovely climate, Madikeri is a world record holder for the cardamom crop.

Kakkabe
Famous for being the largest producer of honey in south east Asia, though most come here for the Padi Igutappa temple. This is Coorg’s most important temple and the presiding deity of the Puthari Festival. Built as a hunting lodge, the Nalnad Palace is used as a kiddies’ camp, though no one will really mind you pottering around. You could also visit the honey farms.
Getting There
Bus & Taxi: There are daily buses that do it in about 90 minutes. You could also catch yourself a bus from Napoklu.

Omkareshwara Temple
With a dome in the middle of a square lake and minarets at each corner, this is a catholic mix of Keralite, Gothic and Islamic architectural styles. Built in 1820 by King Lingarajendra.

Cauvery Nisargadhama
A great place to cuddle up for the night. This 2.5 sq. km. large island in the middle of the River Cauvery, is some place to romance.

Bhagamandala & Telecauvery
At the convergence of the rivers Cauvery, the underground Sujyothi and the Kanike, the Bhangandeshwara temple here has a distinct Kerala touch. Because of the three rivers, it is also called Triveni Sangama. The serene temple has intricate carvings and a copper roof. A dip at the Triveni Sangam nearby is supposed to revive sagging spirits, but take prior permission at the temple.
Every October 17, on Tulasankranama, thousands come here to swim and pray. For this is Telecauvery (meaning Head of the Cauvery), the origin of one of the seven sacred rivers. The source of this long river, which passes through two states, is on the top of the hill called Brahmagiri. It is 1535 metres above sea level. Steps lead up to the Brahmagiri peak, from where a panoramic view of Kodagu meets the visitor.
Getting There
Bus & Taxi: Buses leave Madikeri every hour, and take about 90 minutes to reach. The ride is very scenic.

Nagarhole National Park
Though the name literally means Snake River in Kannada, there aren’t too many snakes around. Created from a former raja’s hunting grounds, Nagarahole is one of the best game sanctuaries in South India, providing a natural living conditions to several wild animals like elephants, tigers, panthers, rhinos and wild elephants, but one is more likely to see smaller game like gaur, deer, wild dogs and langur. Pleasantly cool round the year, it is a little difficult to reach, which makes it quieter than other parks. This in turn makes it a great place to relax. Jungle safaris are available as elephant rides.
Getting There
Bus & Taxi: Direct dailies from Mysore and Madikeri. You could also take a bus to Gonikoppal from either of these places, take another to Kutta, and finally hire a jeep.

Irpu Falls
This is more a hike than a holiday (there are people like us out there who take these differences very seriously). You could begin from behind the Rameshwarna temple, and relax at a refreshing pond halfway up the falls. Then, if you are some strange sort of enthusiastic trekker and have some spare RBC (the leeches demand that), carry on to the top.
Getting There
Bus & Taxi: Direct buses leave Madikeri every couple of hours. You could also catch a bus from Gonikoppal. There are more of those from there.

Abbi Falls
Just 7 kilometers from Madikeri town are the Abbi Falls, as remarkable and striking a sight as you would see anywhere. The narrow road to Abbi Falls is a combination of steep ups and downs, twists and turns, wriggling through the green and dense foliage of surrounding coffee plantations. Situated on private property, a narrow pathway leads you downward to where the waterfall can be seen.
As various streams congregate in the mountains above, they swell with the monsoon rains and force their way down the mountain slope. Splashing hard against the huge boulders of rock, unmindful of the crevices and hollows, the water drops at enormous speed accompanied by gushing sounds. This white wall of water creates a misty cloud with its moisture-like spray and descends into a flowing stream to perhaps join with the River Cauvery somewhere in the vicinity.

Somwarpet
If you can get off to an early start and if the sky is beautiful with the clouds, take the road to Somwarpet. This 42-kilometer, one-and-half hour drive will surely perk you up. This is the coffee heartland of Coorg. You will pass through some of the finest coffee estates you will ever see. Magnificent trees reaching up to the skies, casting much wanted masses of shade to the coffee plants. It’s one great spread of continuous foliage very gloriously prepared in an extraordinary operation by Nature. Mingled with cardamom and pepper as well. Big, medium or small, they add to the already beautiful and fabulous landscape all around.
Besides being the hub of coffee activity, Somwarpet’s other claim to fame is the Basappa Club. Like the cold stone-walls of taverns where sailors and ship mates would gather to make merry, drink, talk and pick up some gossip, the Basappa Club is frequented by the medium and small gentlemen coffee planters, who meet here to unwind. Except that out here, there are no cold, stonewalls. Instead, one can have a game of Table Tennis or Snooker in this small, but compact club. And there’s plenty of gossip to be picked up, as well.
Apart from the popular sight seeing places, Kodagu district has a whole lot of Trekking Tracks for those who seek adventure in the wild.



Keywords:Coorg,History of Coorg,People of Coorg,Culture of Coorg,Languages,festivals of the Kodavas,Climate of Coorg,Coorg Cusine,Madikeri,Kakkabe,Omkareshwara Temple,Cauvery Nisargadhama,Bhagamandala & Telecauvery,Nagarhole National Park,Irpu Falls,Abbi Falls,Somwarpet,