Kodagu; Beyond Koffee

Tasting Coorg coffee, let us continue our journey through Kodagu visiting some of it’s highlights. The Nagarhole Tiger reserve is perhaps it’s main highlight and let us start from there. Come along….

Nagarhole National Park

The Nagarhole National Park and Tiger Reserve is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and lies along the Brahmagiri hills in Coorg. Sandalwood and teak trees abound in this park which is home to the Bengal Tiger, gaur, Chital, Sambar and elephants and a variety of birds. The Nagarhole River winds through jungle landscapes of this park giving it the name Nagarhole meaning serpent river and joins the Kabini River near Bandipur. This park is contiguous with Wayanad and Bandipur sanctuaries.

A jungle safari through this park can give one an opportunity to see it’s inhabitants. Some pictures….

A misty morning at Nagarhole

On a brighter day…

Elephant walk….

Langur time….

Enroute Nagarhole is a famous waterfall called Iruppu falls.

Iruppu Falls

Located on the highway to Nagarhole, this waterfall is also called Lakshman Tirtha falls. A trek from the falls takes one through the forest to Brahmagiri peak. The Lakshman Tirtha river starts from here and there is a famous Shiva temple on it’s banks.

Iruppu Falls

Moving away from Nagarhole , let us visit some important sights near Madikeri

Abbey Falls

One of the most picturesque sights in Coorg is the Abbey falls where the Kaveri river cascades on a rockface in between coffee plantations. It is located about 8 kms from Madikeri and one has to climb down a flight of stairs to reach this waterfall.

Abbey Falls

The steps leading to the falls

Nisargadhama

Located about 30 kms from Madikeri and close to Kushalnagar is this bamboo forest and deer park on the banks of the Kaveri. Boating facilities are available here. A hanging bridge over the river is another attraction. Some images..

Kaveri at Nisargadhama

Hanging Bridge

The bamboo forest and deer park

Harangi Dam

A dam built on the Harangi river, a tributary of the Kaveri also lies close to Kushalnagar town. The dam and the gardens offer a nice picnic spot . A small hydro electric project and an elephant camp also functions here.

The dam and reservoir

The elephant camp

The Namdroling Monastery

Kushalnagar is a Buddhist hub and there are many Buddhist institutions in the area. The more popular one is called the Golden Temple or Namdroling Monastery.

The Namdroling Monastery

More pictures from inside the monastery…

Inside Namdroling monastery

Dubare Elephant camp

Visitor interaction with elephants is facilitated in this camp located on the banks of the Kaveri river. Bathing and feeding them with sugarcane and jaggery are popular activities offered here. Elephant rides into the forest and information on elephant biology by trained naturalists are added attractions here.

Feeding area at Dubare

Bathing elephants in the Kaveri at Dubare

Talakaveri

Talakaveri is considered the origin of the river Kaveri and hence a sacred place for the Hindus. There is a tank here which is fed by a spring that is considered to be the source of the river. A temple dedicated to Kaveramma who is worshipped by the Kodavas is located here.

Forests surround Talakaveri

The tank and temple at Talakaveri

Bhagamandala

This is a place of confluence of three rivers and is a sacred place. The Kaveri joins two smaller rivers here; the Kannike and Sujyothi. A Shiva temple next to the confluence also attracts pilgrims. Many devout perform rituals for their departed ancestors here before proceeding to worship at Talakaveri.

The confluence of the three rivers at Bhagamandala

Shiva temple at Bhagamandala

It must be obvious by now that there is no dearth of interesting sights near Kodagu. I have tried to cover most of them. Hope you have enjoyed your visit to Kodagu.

Next week we move away from Karnataka to Sikkim . Till then, do comment and give your feedback.