Coorg of karnataka

:written by

DILIP

BANERJEE

Kodagu
district

Kodagu also known as Kodava Nadu, is an administrative district in Karnataka, India. It

occupies an area of 4,102 square kilometres (1,584sqmi) in the Western Ghats of
southwestern Karnataka. In 2001 its population was 548,561, 13.74% of which resided in
the district's urban centres, making it the least populous of the 30 districts in Karnataka.
[3]
The district is bordered by Dakshina Kannada district to the northwest, Hassan district
to the north, Mysore district to the east, Kannur district of Kerala to the southwest, and
the Wayanad district of Kerala to the south. Agriculture is the most important factor that
upholds the economy of Kodagu and the main crops cultivated in this region are rice and
coffee. Coorg is rich in natural resources which included timber and spices. Madikeri
(English: Mercara) is the headquarters of Kodagu.

Kodava Nadu is a tourist attraction, known for its coffee and its ethnic warrior people.
The dominant group are its indigenous (Kodavas) and other ethnic groups (Arabasha and
Kodava subgroups).

Kodavas (freehold farmers, rulers and miltiamen), and offlate arabasha (farmers) from
Sullia region also, who were freeholder farmers in sulia (a part of Kodagu in the 17th and
18th centuries) moved towards Kodagu after the massacare of kodavas (Through
Treachery by Tippu and Hyder ali)in Somavaerpet, Bagamandala, Kushalnaga and parts
of Piryapatna (Presentday mysore region founded and ruled by a kodava paryaraja,Parya
meaning elder in kodava)for agricultural activities in kodagu due to wars with Tippu and
Hyderali before there death in recent past. The chief languages presently spoken in
Kodagu are Kodava, Are Bhashe,Kannada, Kasaragod Malayalam, Yerava, Kuruba,
Konkani, Urdu, Tulu and English. Kodagu is home to the native speakers of the Kodava .

Geography:

Kodagu is located on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats. It has a geographical area of
4,102km2 (1,584sqmi).[5] The district is bordered by Dakshina Kannada district to the northwest,
Hassan district to the north, Mysore district to the east, Kasaragod district in west and
Kannur district of Kerala to the southwest, and Wayanad district of Kerala to the south. It is a hilly
district, the lowest elevation of which is 900 metres (3,000ft) above sea-level. The highest peak,
Tadiandamol, rises to 1,750 metres (5,740ft), with Pushpagiri, the second highest, at 1,715 metres
(5,627ft). The main river in Kodagu is the Kaveri (Cauvery), which originates at Talakaveri, located
on the eastern side of the Western Ghats, and with its tributaries, drains the greater part of
Kodagu.

In July and August, rainfall is intense, and there are often showers into November. Yearly rainfall
may exceed 4,000 millimetres (160in) in some areas. In dense jungle tracts, rainfall reaches 3,000
to 3,800 millimetres (120 to 150in) and 1,500 to 2,500 millimetres (59 to 98in) in the bamboo
district to the west. Kodagu has an average temperature of 15C (59F), ranging from 11 to 28C
(52 to 82F), with the highest temperatures occurring in April and May. The principal town, and
district capital, is Madikeri, or Mercara, with a population of around 30,000. Other significant towns
include Virajpet (Virarajendrapet), Kushalanagara, Somwarpet and Gonikoppal. The district is
divided into the three administrative talukas: Madikeri, Virajpet and Somwarpet. Virajpet is the
largest Taluk and comprises the towns Virajpet, Gonikoppal, Siddapura, Ponnampet, Ammathi,
Thithimathi etc.

History:

Kodavu was the native name of Kodagu. The Kodavas were the earliest agriculturists in
Kodagu, having lived there for centuries. Being a warrior community as well, they
carried arms during times of war and had their own chieftains. The Haleri dynasty, an
offshoot of the Keladi Nayakas, ruled Kodagu between 1600 and 1834. Later the British
ruled Kodagu from 1834, after the Coorg War, until India's independence in 1947. A
separate state (called Coorg State) until then, in 1956 Kodagu was merged with the
Mysore State (now Karnataka).

Coorg in British India:

In 1834, the East India Company annexed Coorg into British India, after de-throning Chikka
Virarajendra of the Kodagu Kingdom. The people of Coorg accepted British rule peacefully
and did not offer any resistance, as the British rule led to the establishment of educational
institutions, introduction of scientific coffee cultivation, better administration and
improvement of the Coorg economy.

Kodagu

Culture:

The Kodavas are the dominant community of Kodagu. Kodava oral

traditions are very rich, some of the traditional folk songs have been
compiled into the Pattole Palome . The Kodavas revere ancestors,
arms and worship a number of deities, besides the River Kaveri, some
of them being, Igguthappa, Bhagwathi, Muthappa, Mahadeva,
Bhadrakali, Subramani and Ayyappa. Very similar to the Kodavas in
religion, culture and language are the Kodava Peggade (Kodagu
Heggade), the Amma Kodava, the Airi (artisans), the Meda (craftsmen
and drummers) and the Kembatti (labourers).

The Kodava language speakers, other than the Kodavas, include the Kodava Heggade
(cultivators of Malabari origin), the Amma Kodava (a mixed race), the Airi (smiths and
carpenters), the Thatta (jewellers), some of the Male-Kudiya, the Kodagu Kembatti, the
Maringi, the Kapala (of Siddi origin), the Meda (basket and mat weavers and drummers),
the Kanya, the Banna, the Malaya (astrologers of Malayala origin), the Kodagu Golla
(cowherds of Mysorean origin), the Kodagu Ganiga (oil-makers), the Kolla, the Kavadi,
the Koleya, the Koyava and others.

Traditional costume:

Most of the Kodagu natives, including the Kodavas, the Kodava speakers and the
Kodagu Arebhashe Gowdas, wear the traditional Kodava costume. These men wear
Kupyas (knee-length half-sleeved coats) over a full-sleeved white shirt. Chale i.e. a
maroon and gold sash is tied at the waist and an ornately carved silver dagger known
as Peechekathi is tucked into it. Odikathi is yet another knife that is tucked into the
Chale at the back. Furthermore, a chain with a minuscule gun and a dagger hanging
onto it give them a martial look. The saris worn by women are pleated at the back and
the pallu fixed with a brooch is also wrapped in a unique way. They wear either a fullsleeved or three-quarter sleeved blouse and cover their head with a scarf. A traditional
gold beaded necklace (Jomalae) and a gem-pendant (Kokkethathi) is widely worn by the
women of Kodagu.

Festivals of Kodagu:

Kailpoud, celebrated on 3 September, signifies the completion of "nati", or the

transplantation of the rice crop. Officially, the festival begins 18 days after the sun
enters the Simha Raasi (the western sign of Leo). Kail means weapon or armoury and
poud means Brighten.

The festival signifies the day when men should prepare to guard their crop from wild
boars and other animals, since during the preceding months, during which the family
were engaged in the fields, all weapons were normally deposited in the "kanni kombare"
(takk in kodava), or the prayer room. Hence on the day of Kailpoud, the weapons are
taken out of the Pooja room, cleaned and decorated with flowers. They are then kept in
the Nellakki Nadubade, the central hall of the house and the place of community
worship. Each member of the family has a bath, after which they worship the weapons
before feasting and drinking. The eldest member of the family hands a gun to the senior
member of the family, signifying the commencement of the festivities. The whole family
assembles in the mand (open ground), where physical contests and sports, including
marksmanship, are conducted. In the past the hunting and cooking of wild game was
part of the celebration. Now shooting skills are tested by firing at a coconut tied onto the
branch of a tall tree.

Traditional rural sports, like grabbing a coconut from the hands of a group of 810
people (thenge porata)or("ambu kai"), throwing a stone the size of a cricket ball at a
coconut from a distance of 1015 paces (tenge eed)or("kaai kal"), lifting a stone ball of
3040cm lying at one's feet and throwing it backwards over the shoulders, are now
conducted in community groups called Kodava Samajas and Kodagu Gowda Samajas
in towns and cities.

Kaveri Sankramana:

The Kaveri Sankramana festival normally takes place in mid-October. It is associated

with the river Kaveri, which flows through the district from its source at Talakaveri. At a
predetermined time, when the sun enters Tula Rasi (Tula sankramana), a fountain from a
small tank fills the larger holy tank at Talakaveri. Thousands of people gather to dip in
this holy water. The water, called tirtha, is collected in bottles and distributed to every
home throughout Kodagu to be preserved. A spoonful of this water is fed to the dying, in
the belief that they will attain moksha (spiritual emancipation) and gain entry to heaven.

On this day, married women wearing new silk saris perform puja to a vegetable, symbolising the goddess Kaveri. The
vegetable is usually a cucumber or a coconut, wrapped in a piece of red silk cloth and decorated with flowers and jewels
(mainly 'Pathak' (Kodava Mangalasuthra)). This is called the Kanni Puje. Kanni refers to the goddess Parvati, who
incarnated as Kaveri. Three sets of betel leaves and areca nut are kept in front of the goddess with bunches of glass
bangles. All the members of the family pray to the goddess by throwing rice and prostrating themselves before the
image. The elder members of the family ceremonially bless the younger. Then an older married woman draws water
from the well and starts cooking. The menu of the day is dosa and vegetable curry (usually pumpkin curry (kumbala
kari)) and payasa (sweet dish). Nothing but vegetarian food is cooked on this day, and this is the only festival among
the Kodavas where only vegetarian food is prepared and served. Where as Kodagu Arebhashe gowdas take a bath early
in nearby stream or river prepare dosa with out baked rice.The house leader takes five dosa with banana, ghee, honey
and places it in paddy field calling pandava ooo..oiy three times .later the few persons from family go to kaveri to leave
the "pinda"the burnt ash in water and offer kunkum archane for kaveri.later they get holy water to homes.The elderly
person "pattedara" lights holy lamp serves holy "kaveri theertha"to all his family members and the elder person
ceremonially bless the younger .later the offerings are kept to "gurukarnav"(eldest person of family)aling with "kaveri
theertha.

COORG IS ONE OF THE MOST VISITED TOURIST PLACES IN KARNATAKA. SEE ALLABOUT
COORGCITY SPECIFICALLY HERE.

VALANOOR, COORG: Valanoor is a small and pleasant hamlet situated in Coorg,

Karnataka. The place is also known as Vaalnuru. It is located
near the Dubare forest. The place is a picturesque location
with the forest on one side and the river Cauvery flowing
through it. Valanoor is a popular destination for nature
lovers and fish aficionados. []
FILED UNDER: COORG
TAGGED WITH: BIRD WATCHING, COORG, COORG BIRD
WATCHING, COORG SIGHTSEEING, DUBARE ELEPHANT
CAMP, VALANOOR

Rajas Seat, Coorg:

Rajas Seat or the

Seat of the King is a famous sunset point in

Madikeri in the Coorg district of Karnataka. It was once the
platform from which the kings of Kodagu used to enjoy glorious
sunsets. The spot got its name as it was the favourite recreational
place for the kings. Today it is []

Omkareshwar temple:

The Omkareshwara Temple was constructed by King

Lingarajendra II in the 18th century. Legend has it that the
temple was built by the king as a form of penance.
The story goes around that the king had killed a Brahmin
to fulfil his political ambitions. However, the king started
to have nightmares for his cruel deed. In order to free
himself from the nightmares, the King sought the advice
of a few wise men. They asked the king to build a temple
of Lord Shiva to regain his mental peace.
The king followed their advice and brought a Shivalingam
from the holy town of Kashi and installed it at a newly
constructed temple. It is said that the stopped having the
nightmares king after the temple was built. This
Shivalingam is worshipped as Omkareshwara

Unique architecture of Omkareshwara Temple, Coorg

The Omkareshwara Temple displays a unique style of architecture. The temple has a
design that is quite similar to the ones seen in Muslim dargah. The structure of the
temple comprises of a large central do.

The interesting thing to note is that the temple lacks a pillared hall as is common in most temples of
India. The Shivalingam is installed near the entrance door. The history of the temple has been
inscribed on a copper plate and fixed on the entrance door frame.me with four minarets standing
at the four corn.

The Omkareshwara Temple is a large and simple structure with a peaceful ambiance. A water tank
exists inside the temple premises. The tank has a mantapa built in the centre. This mantapa is
connected by a walkway. A large number of fishes can be seen playing in the water of the tank at any
time. As such, the tank attracts the attention of the tourists and devotees who visit the temple.ers.

Madikeri Fort, Coorg:

Madikeri Fort is a historical landmark of Coorg. The fort stands in the centre of the Madikeri town, still
preserving the remnants of a bygone era within its proud walls. Some of the elevated structures inside
the fort present astounding view of the surrounding areas. Needless to say, the fort is one of the most
famous tourist attractions of Coorg.

The Madikeri Fort was constructed in the later part of the 17 th century by Muddu Raja, the then king of
Coorg. Since then the fort has seen many changes. However, this imposing structure has stood the test
of time and has become a standing witness of Coorgs history. Today the fort premises house the
Madikeri Deputy Commissioners Office.

Quick Facts about Madikeri Fort, Coorg:

Period Built: 17th century

Entry, Camera and Parking Fee:Free

Timing: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM (Open on all days of the week except Monday)

Duration of visit: 2 hours approximately

History of the Madikeri Fort, Coorg:

The long history of the Madikeri Fort can be traced back to the 17 th century when Muddu Raja had
made Madikeri the capital of Coorg. The fort was built as a mud structure. The king had also
constructed a mud palace inside the fort premises.

However, when Tipu Sultan captured the fort, he ordered to reconstruct the structure in granite and
named the site Jaffarabad. The rule of Tipu Sultan over the fort was cut short by Dodda Virarajendra
who captured the fort in 1790. The fort faced further changes and renovations during the period 1812
1814 when it came under the rule of Lingarajendra Wodeyar II. In 1834 the fort was captured by
the British rulers of India. These British rulers went on to make further additions and modifications
to the fort and the structures within its solid walls.

The uniqueness of Madikeri Fort, Coorg:

Madikeri Fort is a unique fort that houses among other structures a temple, an Anglican Church, a
prison and a museum. The fact that a Church stands within the walls of the fort signifies the
dominance of the British people over the fort. The St. Marks Church was built by the British in 1855
by removing a temple of Virabhadra from the inner fort and making place for the construction of the
church. It was built in the Gothic style with stained glasses windows.

The River Lakshmanatirtha:

The river Lakshmanatirtha river is a tributary of the river Kaveri. It originates in the Brahmagiri hills,
Kodagu or Coorg and later joins the river Kaveri at Krishnarajasagara. Originating from the
Brahmagiri Range, the river Lakshmana Theertha plungess down from a height of 170 ft. forming the
Iruppu Water falls. The Lakshmanatirtha falls or the Irupu is a much-visited fresh water cascade
located on the river, bordering Kerala, on the way to theNagerhole National Park. There is a famed
Shiva Temple, the Rameshwara Temple, situated on the banks of the Lakshmanatirtha near the falls.

There are many legends surrounding this spot. The most famous is that Rama and Lakshmana
reached the Brahmagiri hills, while searching for Sita. When Rama became thirsty, Lakshmana shot
an arrow into the hills bringing into being the Lakshmanatirtha river. The sacred origins of the river
lend it the power to cleanse away sins and beings devotees in droves during Shivarathri. Like most of
the tributaries of Cauvery, this river, particularly the falls is at full capacity during the monsoon.