Places To Visit In Coorg

As you drive down the hilly terrain of the Western Ghats, the dense foliage, soft gentle breeze and the tantalizing whiff of the coffee is likely to entice your senses. Welcome to the beautiful land of Coorg! Also known as Coorg, this place is a breathtaking scenic paradise that has earned itself the tag of 'Scotland of India'. As you trail down the verdant hills, you will find several small shops selling a variety of spices and warm, gooey, golden colored forest honey, which are the USP of this region. Coorg has an astonishing number of wildlife sanctuaries that is home to a variety of wild beasts and a few endangered mammals and some rare birds. Another thing that you are likely to find in this beautiful hillock a string of cascades, gushing frantically down the slopes and swiftly disappearing into the thick jungles of the region. Some of the stunning natural water bodies in this place are Iruppa Falls and Abbey Falls. To make your trip a bit more special, do visit the region during autumn or winter, since Coorg celebrates many of its important festivals during these two seasons. It is also the best way for you to interact with the locals and experience the local culture of the land. Go ahead and read on to discover information on some of the famous tourist attractions in Coorg.

Tourist Attractions In Coorg

Talacauvery
Talacauvery is said to be the origin of river Cauvery that springs up from the Brahmagiri hills. At this site, a reservoir has been constructed to mark the origin of the river. The place also has a small shrine, since it is believed to be a holy spot, which explains why pilgrims flock to this area in large numbers to take a dip in the tank. It is been said that the water flowing beneath the tank is a natural spring water, which finally surfaces as a river only a few kilometers away from the place. Once you visit this place, don't forget to check out the breathtakingly beautiful Brahmagiri Hills.

Nisargadhama
Even though the local people do not consider Nisargadhama as an island, the natural water body that surrounds it makes it look like an islet of sorts. Located at a distance of around thirty kilometers away from Madikeri and enclosed by the Cauvery River on all sides, Nisargadhama is a popular tourist picnic spot in the region. Spread across twenty-five acres of land, the place is dotted with teak, sandalwood and bamboo trees, and beautiful shallow emerald colored streams. Apart from this, the place also has a host of other attractions for children such as elephant rides, deer parks, peacock parks, rabbit parks, boating activities and playgrounds. The forest authorities have taken the initiative to improve tourism in the region by setting up guesthouses and treetop bamboo cabins that are a delightful experience for most children.

Irupu Falls
Also known as Lakshmana Tirtha, Irupu Falls make for one of the most attractive places to visit in Coorg. Enclosed by the Brahmagiri jungles, this water cascade is nestled amidst rocky, hilly terrain. As you get closer to the place, you will be greeted by the roaring resonance of the water that disciplines the noises made by chirping birds and the tiny arthropod life of the forest. Once you reach the waterfall, the earthy smell of fresh water is likely to woo your senses. Visiting Irupa Falls remains a euphoric experience to many, and no matter how many times you visit this place, it still makes for quite an attractive destination.

Abbey Falls
The Abbey Falls in Coorg is just a short five-kilometer drive away from the main city of Madikeri. The Abbey Falls is one of Coorg's most stunning natural cascades. With the convergence of several streams, water bodies and the monsoons adding to the abundance of water flow, the Abbey Falls looks breathtaking almost throughout the year. The waterfall is nestled between a coffee estate and a spice agro-forest. The hanging bridge located close to the falls is certainly handy for tourists who want to have a closer look at the falls. The most apt time to visit Abbey Falls is during the monsoon, when the flowing cascade is at its glorious best.

Dubare
Also referred to as elephant training camp, Dubare is an experience in itself. The forest department and local tribal people manage the training camp here. The sights at the camp are absolutely enchanting. Watching mammoth sized creatures being trained by their mahout can make for a great experience too. If you are lucky, you could join the elephants in the lake and help the mahout give them a good scrub or just experience an elephant ride. Dubare camp is the best place in Coorg to witness animal-human interactions that one can rarely get to do elsewhere and thus should not be missed out. Besides this, the place also has a large number of wild beasts such as crocodiles, sambars, spotted deer, leopards, and snakes along with an amazing variety of bird life.

Omkareshwara Temple
This shrine was constructed in the year 1820 by Lingarajendra and is positioned at the centre of the city. The architecture of the temple is noted for its Islamic-Gothic influences. According to the legend, Lingarajendra killed a pious Brahmin to accomplish his political ambitions. Soon the spirit of the dead Brahmin began to trouble Lingarajendra. It was then when the king shifted a Shivalinga from Kashi and established it in this temple. Once he did this, the king ruled in peace for his remaining years. A visit to Omkareshwara temple is a must when in Coorg.