Attractions

Abbi Falls :- Abbi Falls, around 8 km from Madikeri, the capital of Coorg, is a sight that is truly stupendous; the spectacular sight of cascading water is an absolute treat for the eyes and the senses! Nestled amidst private coffee plantations, the Abbi Falls provide a striking contrast to the sylvan surroundings of Coorg. A narrow road winding through the green and dense foliage of surrounding coffee plantations leads to Abbi Falls. 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 speeds 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.

The gushing waters of the Abbi falls, tumbling down a rocky ravine, results in a deafening sound that can be heard from a distance. During the monsoon season, the Abbi swells with abundant seasonal rains with water plunging down the mountain slope at enormous speed. The locale is scenic but protective railings installed at the edge of the fall leaves the spot with hardly any space to sit around, thus, making it a not so favourable destination for picnics. However, go here to savour beauty in its most absolute and natural form!

Brahmagiri peak

One of the most fascinating temples is the majestic Bhangandeshwara temple is situated at the convergence of the underground river, Sujyoti, Cauvery and Kanike. The temple has a copper roof with the exterior intricately carved with sculptures. On 17th October every year, devotees throng the region for a holy dip at Talacauvery or the origin of the seven holy rivers and to worship at the shrine. The origin of the river is at the top of Brahmagiri, 1535 mt. above sea level.

Iruppu Falls

The Iruppu Falls is a sacred spot in South Kodagu on the Brahmagiri range of hills, with the river Lakshmana-tirtha flowing nearby. According to legend, Ram and Lakshman passed this way while searching for Ram's wife, Sita. Ram asked Lakshman to bring him some drinking water and Lakshman shot an arrow into the Brahmagiri, bringing into being the Lakshmana-tirtha.

Located near the falls, The Rameshwara Temple attracts a large congregation of devout pilgrims during the festival of Shivaratri. There is a belief among the people that the Iruppu possesses the power of cleansing and purging one's soul of its sins. On Shivaratri day, devotees bathe in these falls to absolve themselves of their sins.

Located beside the Nagarhole National Park, the Iruppu falls presents a majestic sight with water cascading down from a height of 170ft. There is a climb from the Rameshwara Temple up to the falls through a natural forest. This place can be visited from Gonikopal on the way to Nagerhole National Park by taking a detour after Srimangala, situated in the Kutta Road. Originating in the soaring Brahmagiri peaks, the Iruppu Falls become a part of the Lakshmana-tirtha River in the plains. During the monsoons, the Iruppu Falls swell with seasonal rainfall, making it the best time in the year to visit!

The roaring waters of the Iruppu coupled with the picturesque surroundings make it a great picnic spot. Easy access is available to the place with the nearest station at Mysore, which is approximately 120 km away.

Kaveri Nisargadhama

Towards Madikeri, just 3 Km away from Kushalnagar, lies the beautiful tourist destination of Kaveri Nisargadhama. River Kaveri splits forming a beautiful island measuring 65 acres. The forest department develops this tourist centre by providing a hanging bridge into the island, boating, tree top shelters and elephant riding and other tourists attractions. The forest department has constructed nine beautiful cottages for tourists to dwell in. Kaveri Nisargadhama is located a few kilometres away from the Mysore-Coorg border and not in the hilly terrains of interior Coorg.

On the far side of the bridge is the actual resort, sprawled over 25 acres. On one side are picturesque hanging cottages made from bamboo, suspended over water and surrounded by a profusion of bamboo grooves. On the other side stands a small, friendly canteen that supplies food to the vacationers.

Nisargadhama offers boat rides and elephant rides and nature lovers can visit the deer park and the orchidarium. Those planning a longer stay at Nisargadhama should surely make a trip to the Tibetan settlement called Bailkuppe near Kushalnagar. This settlement is about 10 km away from the resort and boasts of a Buddhist temple with three 45 feet golden statues of the Buddha. There is a shopping lane in Bailkuppe, which sells all the traditional Tibetan ware. A few tiny Tibetan restaurants nearby offer traditional momos. Alternately, take a trip to Madikeri, which is an hours journey from Nisargadhama. This hilly town is yet another sought after tourist destination that can be explored at leisure.

Madikeri Fort

On your trip to Madikeri, the capital of the idyllic and exquisitely beautiful Coorg, make sure you don't miss out on visiting the Madikeri Fort. Mudduraja first built the Madikeri Fort as a mud fort in the last quarter of the 17th century. He also built a palace inside the fort. Tipu Sultan, who named the site as Jaffarabad, eventually rebuilt it in granite. Madikeri Fort, built of brick and mortar, had witnessed several fierce battles. In 1790, Doddavira Rajendra took control of the fort. Consequently, Lingarajendra Wodeyar II renovated the palace in 1812-1814.

In the north-east corner at the entrance are two life size masonry elephants and a church is present in the south-east corner. This Fort houses a temple, a chapel, prison and a small museum. The fort offers panoramic views of the city from its walls. This is a fort with archaeological value and a marvel of architecture. The centuries old Madikeri Fort with its stone ramparts now houses the prison, a temple, a chapel, a small museum, and assorted government offices.

A symbol of explicit architectural splendour and archaeological worth, the Madikeri Fort is a must-visit, especially for those who have a fascination for historical monuments and locations.

Nagarhole Park

Nagarhole National Park, a 247 square-mile park in Karnataka, has an astonishing abundance of wildlife including large mammals such as tiger, leopard, wild elephant, dhole (Indian wild dog), and gaur (Indian bison). Other species present are chital spotted deer, muntjac (barking deer), mouse deer, four-horned antelope, wild boar, sloth bear, hyena, mongoose, civet, otter, and more. The landscape is one of gentle slopes and shallow valleys. Dry deciduous forest trees are leafless in the summer rather than in the winter. There are grassy swamps where the soil is mostly clay, perennially moist, and which support a luxuriant growth of green grass all year. The change in terrain throughout the park in refreshing and the river system provides a unique wildlife viewing experience.

Nagarhole National park derives its name from the combination of two Kannada words. 'Nagar,' meaning snake, and 'hole,' meaning streams and in keeping with its name, there are quite a few serpentines to be found in the rich tropical forests of the park.Nagarhole Park was set up in 1955 and by 1975, its area was increased to include a greater expanse of forest reserve. The original forest was once an exclusive hunting ground for the erstwhile Maharajas of Mysore. The park has been recently renamed as Rajiv Gandhi National Park after the late Prime Minister of India.

Nagarhole National Park is counted among India s best wildlife parks and is open all throughout the year but the best time of the year to visit is from October to May and especially so during April-May.

Namdroling Monastery (Little Tibet)

His Holiness, Pema Norbu Rinpoche, established Namdroling Monastery shortly after he came to India from Tibet. His Holiness the Dalai Lama consecrated the spot and bequeathed the name "Namdroling Monastery." Today the monastery is home to nearly 5000 monks and nuns, renowned as a center for the pure upholding of the teachings of the Buddha.

Now, the Namdroling Nyingmapa Monastery is the largest teaching center of Nyingmapa; a lineage of Tibetan Buddhism in the world. The monastery is home to a sangha community of over five thousand monks and nuns, a religious college (or shedra) and hospital.

The huge investment of time and energy made by Penor Rinpoche to build his monastery has borne abundant fruit. Among those who have studied, or are studying, at the monastery, are all the major lineage holding tulkus and lamas of the Palyul tradition, including the fifth Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, the third Choktrul Rinpoche and the third Rago Choktrul. Their spiritual training is directed and guided by Penor Rinpoche himself.

Namdroling Monastery in Bylakuppe also has a retreat centre, opened in 1985, where thirty monks undergo an intensive three-year retreat. Penor Rinpoche personally instructs them in the Dzogchen Longchen Nyingtik cycle.

Every autumn, according to the tradition of the Palyul Monastery, he gives instructions on Ngondro, Tsalung and Dzogchen from the Namcho cycle of Terton Mingyur Dorje. Students attend this one month retreat from the Institute, monks from the monastery and lay people. It was Penor Rinpoche's dream, and something he continues to emphasize, that students would be able to combine in-depth, intensive study with practice, and now the monastery offers the perfect setting in which to do this.

It is a must visit for those interested in Buddhism and its philosophy or just in general to see the hub of the burgeoning of Buddhism in India.

Talakaveri

A trip to Coorg is never quite complete without a trip till Talakaveri. While the beautiful landscape of Coorg and the sprawling coffee plantations evoke much awe in the tourists, a trip to Talakaveri is quite the cherry on the icing, for those particularly spiritually inclined.

The Talakaveri is the source of the holy river Kaveri. Located on the slopes of the Brahmagiri hills at an altitude of around 4000 ft above sea level, the spot can be reached by a 2 km journey from Bhagamandala up the Ghats. The Talakaveri is supposed to hold great religious importance and there is a holy kundike from where the river emerges as a small perennial spring and then flows underground again to emerge a short distance away. Taking a bath in this spot on Tula Sankramana in October is considered very sacred and many devotees can be seen bathing here at the time.

The Shiva temple at Talakaveri houses a rare and ancient Shivling, while another temple is devoted to Lord Ganesh. This temple has a holy Ashwantha tree where, according to legend, the Trimurtis - Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva- gave darshan to sage Agastya. A flight of steps takes one up to the nearby Brahmagiri peak, where the 7 great sages called the Sapta Maharishis were believed to have performed a special yagna.

Replete with religious significance, it is believed that if you offer a prayer and ask the Lord for something, your wish will surely be granted. It is also considered important that after the fulfilment of your prayers, you must make a trip back to Talakaveri and offer another prayer in gratitude.

While cynics scoff at this belief or rather this tradition, the number of people up at Talakaveri, even in times when rain is crashing heavily down their backs, shows the effect this place has on the people and their belief in the spiritual powers of the Talakaveri.