oorg (now Kodagu) is the land of Kodavas. Kodavas are culturally a distinct community having distinct social customs and lifestyle in comparison to rest of Kannadigas. The men are very friendly but brave, evident with so many respected Generals In Indian army who were Coorgis. Coorg is famous for beautiful women yet these women are fiercely independent and excel well in the field of social sciences and sports. 

A fascinating thing to study is the Coorgi lifestyle. Their costumes are elaborate and get more complex on festive occasions. The men wear black gowns and colored turbans accessorized by daggers and other martial equipments. The women wear saris in very complicated way. It is a spectacular event witnessing a Coorgi wedding that marks symbolic rituals of dancing and mock martial practices. Above everything, the Kodavas are very nice people to know and mix with. They have a rare blend of up marked graciousness and traditional hospitality. 

Besides its unique people, the other blessing Kodagu has is its immense natural wealth. The place being hilly and being under heavy monsoon rains remains permanently covered with dense evergreen tropical jungles. Many of the forest areas were cleared later to make space for Kodagu’s famous Coffee plantations. Coffee blooms in Kodagu as naturally as it rains here. There are several spice plantations too. Many of the plantation houses are now open for the tourists to stay. Kodagu is also the source of the holy river Cauvery, also known as the Ganga of the South. The great river during its course forms several interesting spots worth exploring. 

For adventure travelers, Kodagu is ideal for great hiking; there are several routes to explore the breathtaking scenery of jungles and waterfalls (barring a few odd leeches, everything else in the lap of nature here works just fine!). Fishing in the river is possible with permission. Interesting places to explore are Cauvery Nisargadhama (a tranquil island in the river), Dubare village (elephant rearing camp), Irpu falls and Kakkabe. Besides these, a number of interesting walks and treks to the peaks of Kadagu hills can be taken . The whole hilly area is so interspersed with dense jungles and coffee plantations of meandering paths, it is easy to lose way without an expert guide as handy. 

Nagarhole National Park famed for wide-ranging wildlife including Tigers, elephants and gaur (Bison) is the biggest draw of Kodagu. The attractive jungles of the Park can be visited in a safari while staying in the atmospheric Kabini River Lodge. The Lodge is now almost an institution and being located within the park by river Kabini it offers great opportunities to view the Wlidlife at any time. 

Madikeri (Mercara now) as the headquarter of Kodagu district, though an insignificant little hill station, is a good base to explore the region. The town itself has some good places to see such as Raja’s seat (Garden for the kings), Raja’s Tombs, a fascinating Omkareshwar temple, Madikeri fort and Abbi falls (8 kms out of the town). The smell of coffee processing factories may prompt coffee-lovers make Madikeri their ideal home! 

Coorg on the whole offers wonderful opportunities to appreciate great culture, great nature and great adventure. The region though very little explored is conveniently located near Bangalore, Mysore and Mangalore. This is just one rare example of ‘thing so near, yet so beautiful!’ It does happen sometimes!!

ANDAMAN • DUNGARPUR • HAMPI • HYDERABAD • JAIPUR • JAISALMER  KARWAR • KAZIRANGA • KERALA'S BACKWATERS • KHAJURAHO • KOCHI    KODAGU • KOLKATA • KUTCHH • MANDU • MUMBAI • MUNNAR • NAMDAPHA    ORISSA TRIANGLE • PONDICHERRY • RISHIKESH • SHIMLA • TANJORE • VARANASI