Irpu Falls and Nagarahole

Tumbling through the hills, The Lakshamanatirtha River thunders 51.8m into the valley. Flowing northwards from here to join another rivulet, the Ramatirtha, it changes course northeastward to join the Cauvery in Mysore district.

This is a wonderful place for a weekend trip. This one is little far from Madikeri if you happen to come via Madikeri, about 80+ kms, you need to go via Virajpet, Gonikoppa. If you start by afternoon from Madikeri you can reach by 3.30 PM or so, takes about 2+ hours to reach there.

You can spend the evening there and then if you are coming back to Bangalore come via Nagarahole reserve forest, where it’s really soothing to your mind, you need to drive slowly and watch the animals in the Natural Habitat. Depending on your luck you can see many different animals, mostly you will see deers, and if lucky you can also see elephants, Wild buffaloes.

This is also known as "Rajiv Gandhi National Park" extend to 647 Sq. Kilometres. An excellent opportunity to witness wild animals of different kinds, from the majestic elephant to the Deer, Tiger, Cheetha, jackal etc. The forest comprises of valuable wealth like the teak, rosewood, sandal wood trees etc. Though plying of private vehicles is not allowed inside, the departmental vehicle takes the tourists.

Talakaveri and Bagamandala

Talakaveri is the birth place of river Cauvery, its said that Cauvery was wife is Agatsya, when Agatsya did not allow Cauvery to become river for the betterment of people, she jumped out of the Kamandala in which he had imprisoned her, from the top of Brahmagiri(A peak in Talakaveri) and transformed herself to river and flowed out. For some distance she flows as “Guptagamini” (hidden river) and then she meets her friends in Triveni Sangama and speeds up to reach Bay of Bangal.

This place is a sacred place, and its said that if you take bath in the sacred water of the pond all that sin made from all last life will go. Lots of people from all over Karnataka come here, and even from Tamilnadu too. As a place also it’s a very nice place to visit, either in the early morning, or in the evening. Brahmagiri is a nice peak to climb and have a nice view. You can feel the clouds passing through you at that height.

Bagamandala is place where Cauvery meets two more rivers, one of them is very difficult to imagine as a river, it’s a small steam coming out near the Banyan tree, it’s said because of the curse she become like that. People take bath in the Sangama where river meets. There is Bagandeshwara temple, which is said to have Kerala architecture, you get lot of Ayurvedic medicinal plants and herbs in the near by shops. The books describing the story of Cauvery can be obtained from the this temple. There are many temples inside the “Pauli”. This is a peaceful place to spend some time after giving the Pooja. You can see the attacks by Mughals ruining the temple, which you can see in the statues made of stones.

Bagamandala is about 40 Kms from Madikeri, you need to take the road to M’lore and on the way you find a board showing the way to Bagamandala. From Bagamandala you need to climb up the hill for about 8kms to reach Talakaveri. On the way there are many view points where you can stop for a while and enjoy.

Kaveri Nisargadhama

A beautiful ecological park, where Cauvery Rivers splits forming a island and bamboo forest. A hanging bridge, boating, elephant ride, tree top shelter, deer park etc. are worth to enjoy with dwelling cottages named, Brahmagiri, Lopamudre, Kannike etc. Travel of 30 kms from Madikeri. Reservation to be done for cottages at Forest department, Madikeri

Frankly speaking this place is a kind a just visit and come out if it’s on the way, and a one time visit place, and not worth going all the way. This can be covered on the way back from Golden temple or Harangi Dam back to Madikeri, which seems to be best option for me.

There are some animals inside, deers, monkeys, and rabbits and don’t expect more than them, if you see all of them that means its time to return from there.

Golden Temple, Tibetian Colony

A recently built "Namdrolling Monastery" a world famous Tibetan Golden temple a toast to the eyes is in Bylakoppa, also the second largest Tibetans settlement in India, just 6 kms away from Kushalnagar. Three majestic Gold coated 40 feet hight idols of Buddha & Padmasambhava, Amitayush Statue inside the temple

This place was handed over by the Karnataka Govt to house the Tibetan refugees when they fled the Chinese invasion of their country. They were housed in some three places all around India. We can see well cultivated fields for miles around. A number of their beautiful temples dot the landscape. It looks as if all the males become monks, since everywhere we see males in the robes of Tibetan monks

Dubare Forest, Elephant Safari

Dubare is a natural island with cool and pleasant view. Boating and fishing makes a wonderful experience. There are 12 tamed elephants which are maintained by the forest department. Tourists interested to know details about these mammals can be obtained here. This is ideal place for nature lovers for spending a few hours with the nature, elephants, and the cool Cauvery River. Weather and best season to visit: Monsoons are fairly heavy but one can be assured of a unique interesting experience during the rains (July to mid-September) in Dubare. The post-monsoon months (mid- Sept to beginning March) are the best time to visit as the entire district would be enveloped by a cloud of green and the climate would be very pleasant.

The route from Bangalore is via Mysore, Kushalnagar, Gudde Hosur (4km from Kushalnagar on Madikeri Road), then a left turn towards Siddapura. About the 15 kilometer on the Siddapur Main Road visitors would find a JLR Dubare Camp board. A left turn at the board and about kilometer drive would take you to dubare.

Harangi Dam, Coorg

Fact: A dam built across the tributary of Cauvery with a length of 2775 ft. and 174 ft height. If you happen to visit during rainy season this makes an awesome place, at that time they open the dam doors giving a mind blowing view of water flowing out. It flows at such a high power that you will be thrilled to see it. The back water creates an impression of ocean; it is spread across acres of land.

The place can be reached easily, if you are coming from b’lore to Madikeri via Kushalnagar, you can find a Y junction, where one leads to Kushalnagar and then Madikeri and the other to the Harangi Dam. From Madikeri you need to travel in the direction of Kushalnagar to reach here. It’s about 8 kms from Kushalnagar

Iggutappa temple, Kakabbe

Iggutappa is another name lord shiva, Igguthappa temple, one of most important temple of Kodavs the tribal inhabitants in Kakkabe, is dedicated to Iguthappa another name for Lord Subramanya. The devotees believe in the miracles by Iguthappa, where any one can ask for anything from this super power God. Farmers in and around this area usually offer prayers and offerings for rains during the famous Annual festival in the temple conducted during the month of March. Tulabhara, weighing oneself against fruits, sugar, coconuts, rice etc, is an important offering here. This temple governs significant role in the cultural and traditional life of the place.

This place is quite deep inside Coorg, the way to this place is very scenic, and you will enjoy the drive. This place is about 45Kms from Madikeri. There are bus services to kakabbe. Best way is to drive.

Abbey falls, Madikeri

This is a beautiful falls close to Madikeri, about 7-8kms from the city. Many boards are there inside city which point you to the falls, you won’t find it difficult to get there. There are enough parking spaces, after you park your vehicle you have to walk about 100 meters so reach the falls.

The madikeri stream, also called Muttaramuttu, falls 21.3m between huge boulders to a deep rocky vally to form this picturesque waterfall called Abbi falls(abbi means waterfall in Kodavatak). The British called it the Jessey Water falls in memory of Jessey, the daughter of Madikeri's first chaplain. Every year a few unwary people meet an unfortunate end over the slippery rocks here.

Abundant in this region, Madduthoppu (Justicia wayanadensis) is attributted medicinal value believed to peak on 18th of Kakkada(July-August), when it is used as an ingredient in various delicacies.

There is misconception that this is of Cauvery River, but its not. But it’s a falls made by group of small streams called Madikeri streams. The falls is quite simple yet so beautiful, when there is enough water, i.e. between June to September it’s amazing, you can feel the cold breeze on the hanging bridge made by the forest department. The water is not deep under the falls you can get close to falls and even climb the falls with little risk. I had been on the rocks many times when I visited before 2006, now police will always be around and they won’t allow you to get into the water. But you can always enjoy the beauty from the hanging bridge.

Madikeri, Coorg District

Coorg is a wonderful place to spend your holidays and I have been there a many time, in fact at least once in a year or more than that whenever I get time. Madikeri is the capital; it is a hill station with beautiful climate like Ooty. Coorg is called as Kashmir of Karnataka. It’s such a wonderful place with forests, coffee estates, hill stations, falls, temples, and trekking places.

Madikeri is around 250 odd Kms from Mandya you can reach there by taking mysore road from Bangalore and take deviation on mysore road to Hunsoor, then next town you will see is Kushalnagar, and then Madikeri. It takes about 5 odd hours in car to reach madikeri from Bangalore. If you are starting from Mangalore then take the route of Puttur, Sulli. Madikeri is just 50 kms from Sullia. The things to enjoy in madikeri are the stay round the year, during rainy season you can enjoy the heavy rains, and winter will be too cold, and summer will be pleasant. If you plan your stay at madikeri then you can see almost all the tourist places in coorg.

The things to see in Madikeri are Rajaseat, a view point where you can see landscape up to miles, with mist in background. This place was used by Kings in ancient time, and thus the name. There is fort where you can see the ruined fort, now it is converted to govt offices. There is a museum which is not worth visit.

There is pretty old temple in the city Omkareshwara temple, which is a worth visit. This was built in 1820 by Lingarajendra the then ruling King to ward off the evil caused by "Brahma Rakshasas". The Shiva Linga is said to be brought from the holy place "Kaashi". This temple has an unusual architectural combination of 'Indo-Sarsenic' Style. Nearby is the holy tank. Regular poojas are performed in the temple for the different deities like Lord Subrahmanya and Ganesha.

The other place to see in Madikeri is Gadduge or three tombs with their Islamic style building domes and minarets with gold coating built in Indo Sarsenic style, The entrance to each tomb has Carvings of Hindu Deities. The Central largest tomb more ornate than the other two, contains the graves of Virarajenda and his wife Mahadevi Amma. The medium sized tomb is of Lingarajendra and the simplest tomb contains the grave of Rudrappa Virarajendra's Guru. A bird's eye view of Madikeri can be had from here.

You will find lot of home stays in Madikeri which is the best way to enjoy the beauty of the hill station, even resorts are available where in you get an estate for yourself to enjoy for a day, but it’s not a budget plan.