Kodagu, earlier known as Coorg in Karnataka state, India, is located on the Eastern Slopes of the Western Ghats, sharing borders with Kerala districts Wayanad and Kannur. Madikeri, a hill station, is the headquarters of the Kodagu alias Coorg district.

Kodagu Hill station’s high ranges are famous for its Coffee Plantations, Eucalyptus, and Vanilla. The Coorg valley is famous for its Ginger and Paddy. Spices like black pepper, cardamom, etc, are also cultivated here. Rubber, Coca, etc, are also found in Kodagu and surrounding hill areas.

Kodagu is famous for its fantastic food and the hospitality of its people. Kodagu alias Coorg is also famous for its brave warriors.  India’s first Army Chief Field Marshal Kariappa was from Kodagu. Kodagu has its language, Kodava, even though there is no script for the language.

Two members of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly are elected from Kodagu, one each from two taluks of Kodagu. A taluk is an administrative unit in India.

Visiting Coorg, or Koadag, is an experience one will never forget in his or her lifetime. October to April is the ideal time to visit Coorg hill station.

Which are the Nearby Tourist places to Coorg

Namdroling Monastery or Bylekuppe Monastery

Namdroling Monastery or Bylekuppe Monastery

Bylekuppe, around six kilometers from Kushalanagar, is one of the most famous Tibetan settlements in India. Namdroling Monastery, alias Bylekuppe Monastery, is a major Buddhist Monastery here. The Golden Temple inside the Namdroling Monastery is a Buddhist temple. Golden statues of Guru Padmasambhava, Buddha Sakyamuni, and Amityaus exist in this gompa or Buddhist temple.

At 1 pm, Prayer rituals are conducted. Prayer wheels should be circled with the right hand in the clockwise direction. It is the largest teaching center for the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. Golden Temple inside the Namdroling Monastery is on the Madikeri-Mysuru road. It comes after crossing the Kaveri River Bridge.

Dubare Elephant Camp and River Rafting

Dubare Elephant Camp and river rafting are around 15 kilometers from Kushalnagar. It is very famous among tourists to Koorg. The Dubare elephant camp is situated inside reserve forests. Here, you can go for an elephant ride only in the morning and evening. Dubare water rafting is allowed all through the day. It is shallow waters.

Barapole River Rafting near Coorg

Barapole River, which originates in the Brahmagiri range in south Coorg, also offers excellent Whitewater rafting and is very popular among tourists to  Coorg. There are many places in and around Kodagu offering Whitewater Rafting. Kayaking and  Rappelling facilities are also available in Kodagu and its surrounding areas.

Nisargadhama Island

28 kilometers from Madikeri is the famous 64-acre Nisargadhama Island, off the state highways. It is reachable by walking across a small hanging bridge (suspension bridge) over the River Cauvery. The entry fee is INR 10.

Nisargadhama island has a beautiful garden, ideal for a nature walk.  A small zoo has deer, rabbits, peacocks, sparrows, etc. A few tree-top watchtowers are also there. You can take selfies here.

Nisargadhama Island offers an elephant safari.  Boating is another activity here. Separate charges are applicable for boating.

Outside Nisargadhama are adventure activities like wall climbing, zip line riding, and a 3D glass maze.

Tadiandamol Peak near Coorg

Tadiandamol Peak is the highest mountain peak in the Kodagu district and is famous among trekkers. Nalaknad Palace at Tadiandamol foothills is an important historical landmark near Kodagu, mapped during the Great Trigonometric Survey carried out by the Survey of India in the 19th century.

Omkareshwara Temple

Omkareshwara Temple is another major tourist center near Coorg. This 200-year-old Lord Shiva temple in the Islamic and Gothic style of architecture looks similar to the Taj Mahal.

Mandalpatti Hill Station and Mandalpatti View Point

This hill station overlooks the Pushpagiri forests of the Western Ghats. It has viewpoints for viewing nature’s beauty.

Adventure Jeep Riding is a main activity at Mandalpatti Hill Station. It gives you a fabulous 4×4 jeep riding experience.

Nearby Waterfalls

Abbi Falls is a beautiful falls in Coorg. Iruppu Falls alias Irippu Falls is 48 kilometers from Virajpet on the highway to Rajiv Gandhi National Park alias Nagarhole National Park. Chelavara Falls is about 30 kilometers from Coorg.

Mallalli Falls, or Mallali Falls, at the base of Pushpagiri Hills, is another seasonal fall. It has a height of approximately 200 feet. You can trek to reach the falls. Concrete steps are there near the falls to reach the falls easily. You can go close to the falls by vehicle. It is around 53 kilometers distance from Koorg town.

Chelvara Falls is yet another falls at a distance of 16 kilometers from Virajpet.

Other Tourist Attractions

Madikeri Fort is a nearby tourist attraction.

Raja Tombs, Islamic-style tombs built by Hindu Kings with Lord Shiva deities, are also a nearby attraction.

Igguthappa temple is one of the two sacred temples for Kodugas.

Raja’s Seat, one of the most scenic locations in south India, is a major sightseeing spot that offers a panoramic view of the hills and valleys.

Tala Cauvery, or Talakaveri, where the River Cauvery originates, is 44 kilometers from Madikeri. Water gushes out of a small pond at a pre-determined time every year. It is a famous tourist and pilgrimage center.

How Do I Go to Coorg alias Kodagu?

Coorg is at a distance of 116 kilometers from Mysore. Bangalore alias Bengaluru is 239 kilometers from Kodagu, which takes around 5 hours to drive. The nearest airport to Coorg is Mangalore Airport, at about 135 kilometers away. Bangalore is the nearest international airport to Coorg hill station.

Thalasserry railway station, with station code TLY, near the state’s border with Kerala, is the nearest railway station to Coorg at around 100 kilometers distance. Mysore, Mangalore, and Hassan railway stations are some of the other major railway stations in the nearby cities.

Conclusion

When are you going to Kodagu Alias Coorg, famous for its beauty of nature and the famous Bylekuppe Monastery and the Buddhist Golden Temple at Namdroling Monastery? Please leave your comments.