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Thadiyandamol
--- 6
Km from Palace Estate
The highest peak
in Kodagu is Thadiyandamol, 1745 metres (5724 ft) from the mean sea
level and rises in to the summit of the western ghats. It is one of
the most picturesque spot in south India with untampered original forest
and natural perennial springs all around. Palace Estate is located at
the foot of the Thadiyandamol peak and is an ideal base camp for trekking
& can be covered in to six to eight hours.
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Nalnad
Palace --- 200 Mtrs from Palace Estate
Nalnad summer palace
was built during 1780-1789 by the then Coorg King Linga Raja after escaping
from the captivity of Tippu Sultan in Srirangapatna, is of immense archaeological
importance. It is from this place that the Coorg Raja, after mobilising
the local army, chased Tippu Sultan's men from Mercara during 1789 and
reoccupied Mercara Fort. Also, the last Coorg Raja was captured by the
Britishers from Nalnad palace in 1834.
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Kapala
Tribal Colony
--- 250 Mtrs from Palace Estate
Kapala are a group
of local tribesmen living in a colony in their natural habitat very close
to Palace Estate. The king brought them from Kerala to look after (pala)
the palace though they are believed to be original inhabitants of some
African country. They have retained their culture & gives you an insight
into their old traditions & customs & way of living.
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Private
Waterfall ---
100 Mtrs from Palace Estate
A private 50 foot waterfall with clear water gushing down from the mountains
is a part of the estate. Small fishes, crabs etc can be seen in the water
source & good time can be spent lounging around in this absolutely
silent place amidst nature & listening to the pleasant sound of the
water falls.
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Padi
Igguthappa temple
--- 7 Km from Palace Estate
The Padi Igguthappa
is one of Coorg's most important temple and the presiding deity of the
Puthari Festival and it resembles the temples of Kerala in style. This
temple governs important role in the traditional and cultural life of
Kodagu. Very little information's is available regarding the history of
this temple. According to scripts available Apparanda Bopu a Dewan of
Halarie rulers renovated this temple between 1834-35.
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Chelavara
Falls ---
10 Km from Palace Estate
This majestic stream
falls is much admired and is visited by most of tourists visiting this
part of coorg. The roar of the falls can be heard from a distance and
the road to this falls goes through lovely coffee and cardamom plantations.
Two kilometers from this place there is a sunset point from where u can
enjoy the sunset.
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Choma
Kundh ( Mountain ) ---
14 Km from Palace Estate
Breathtaking view
of the mountains & forests without trekking, walk for a Km to the
top of the mountain. Do not miss the sunset it something which is worth
watching from here.
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Raja's
Seat
Lush fields and
Western Ghats. You can see mountain ranges towering over one another all
the way to the horizon.This notable spot at Madikeri is just 1 km from
the Bus Stand. Kings of Kodagu spent their evenings to watch the golden
moments of the sun set. It also offers a thrilling panoramic view of flowing
valleys.
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Madikeri
Fort
In the
centre of the Madikeri town. this 19th century fort was once the scene
of many fierce battle. Today it houses a small museums, a chapel, the
prison and a small museum. The fort also offers a panoramic view of Madikeri.
The Fort situated on an elevated ground, has a palace inside. Built of
brick and mortar, the fort was erected by the King of Coorg. It was repaired
by Tipu Sultan in 1781 and called Jaffarabad. Two life-size elephants
built in mortar catch the eye as one enters the fort.
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Bhagamandala
This place is a
temple town situated 30 kms from Madikeri. Here Cauvery is at its confluence
with river Kannike and Sujyothi. The temple is built in the multi-roofed
Kerala style, resembling temples of distant Nepal.
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Talacauvery
This sacred place
is situated at a distance of 7 kms from Bhagamandala. This is the birth
place of the river Cauvery and a spot of immense religious significance.
Legend has it that Goddess Cauvery makes her appearance once a year during
Tulamasa, when thousands gather to take a sacred dip. There are steps
leading to Bramhagiri Hills, at a height of 300 ft. from where, Kudremukh,
Chamundi Hills, Wynad and Nilgiris are visible.
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Golden
Temple
Gautam Buddha at
Indias biggest tibetan monastery covered from coorg. This comprises of
two universities and two monasteries and is inhabited by Tibetian Monks.
This is situated near kushalnagar, 30 Kms from Madikeri and better known
as "Byle Kuppe".
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Cauvery
Nisarga Dhama
Situated
at a distance of 2 kms from Kushalnagar on the Mysore-Madikeri Road, this
picnic spot was established in 1988. This is a man-made island with an
area of 65 acres. The entrance to this spot is through a hanging bridge.
Machans (tree top shelters) and Pargola (wall less shelters) are found
here. Tourists can stay in brick cottages or log cabins. There is a canteen,
pedal boating, elephant riding and deer park are added attractions to
this place.
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Abbi
Falls
This beautiful waterfall is situated at a distance of 5 km from Madikeri
in a private coffee estate. Abbi in Kodava dialect means "falls".
This majestic stream falls is much admired and is frequently visited.
The roar of the falls can be heard from the main road, from where a path
goes through lovely coffee and cardamom plantations right up to them.
The chirping of innumerable birds which are easier heard then seen, fill
the air with sweet music. Do remember to take your binoculars and camera
when you go there.
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Irupu
Falls
This refreshing
cascade of water is situated at a distance of 48 kms from Virajpet on
the way to Nagarhole. It is also a place of pilgrimage. The Shiva temple
here is said to have been dedicated by Lord Rama himself on the banks
of River Lakshmanatheertha a tributary to the river Cauvery.
The river descends perpendicularly into a great cataract known as the
Iruppu Falls. This place is believed to possess the power to cleanse one's
sins and is visited by thousands of devotees from far and near on Shivaratri
day. There is temple dedicated to Sri Ram, surrounded by paddy fields,
from where it is a climb up to the falls through natural forest.
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Omkareshwara
Temple
Built by Kodagu
King Lingaraja in 1820, this temple is remarkable for its square shape
in the Mohammedan style, with an impressive dome in the centre and four
minarets - like tumets at the corners, surrounded by Basavas or sacred
Bulls. On the top of the dome is a guilded ball, with a weather clock.
All window frames are tastefully sculpted blocks with solid brass bars.
A large tank in front of the temple gives it a serene atmosphere.
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Nagarhole
Wildlife Sanctuary
The Nagarhole Wildlife
Sanctuary covers an area of 284 sq.km. with tropical and deciduous forests
and belts of swampy ground at the head of small streams. The place derives
its name from the winding river - Nagarhole meaning "snake river"
- which flows through the park. The 640 sq km of gently undulating terrain
at the foothills of the Brahmagiri hills is covered with thick tropical
forest, grassy swamps and numerous rivers and streams. The park and animal
life is part of the country's first "bio-sphere reserve". The
Forest Department conducts tours along well-defined routes for tourists,
in the early mornings and evenings.
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Dubare
This is mainly
an elephant capturing and training camp of the Forest Department, at the
edge of Dubare forest, on the bank of river Kaveri, on the Kushalnagar
- Siddapur road. The largest land animal is captured here with the help
of tamed elephants and local tribals - the Kurbas - and is held captive
for upto 6 months in large teak wood cages. The tamed elephants attend
to various jobs during the day and in the evenings they come down to the
river to bathe and to be scrubbed clean by their mahouts. Afterwards the
mahout obliges eager tourists for free elephant rides within the camp.
In the evenings, all the elephants are offered a special treat of ladoos
made of ragi and jaggery, each no smaller than a cannon ball!
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