Madikeri – The Popular Hill Station If you want to sit back, relax and enjoy a good vacation away from the hustle and bustle of the city, then Madikeri, a small hill station in Karnataka is the place for you. A Hill Station with a Difference Madikeri (at Coorg) is a well known hill station for tourists in Karnataka. It is situated 252 km from Bangalore, and it is the headquarters of the district Kodagu. It has mesmerizing mountain ranges all over with luscious greenery and the tranquil waters of the Cauvery River flowing through the hilly area. Madikeri gives a rejuvenating feel to those who visit this place, hence attracting a lot of tourists. It is known for its beautiful coffee, tea, and cardamom plantations. It is referred to as the Scotland of India and is said that its scenic beauty dragged the British to this tourist spot nearly 100 years ago. The hill resort also has a lot of ancient history attached to it with the Great Madikeri Fort. Coorg is on the Western Ghats. Set amidst verdant valleys, imposing mountains and teak wood forests, this is one of the most beautiful hill stations you can visit. It lies on Karnataka's southwestern end, covering an area of 4,102 sq km. Talakaveri, from where the Kaveri River originates, Nisargadhama, a man-made island and a favored holiday resort, Iruppa and Abbey Falls, Nagarhole National Park, Dubare Elephant Camp – each of these can be an adventure destination by themselves. Coorg is also famous for its huge coffee and spice estates, which offer a special experience to tourists. The Kodagu district comprises different communities - Kodava, Tulu, Gowda, Moplah out of which the largest is the Kodava community, both economically and politically. The economy depends on agriculture, coffee plantations, foretry and tourism. Origin of the name Kodagu Coorg or Kodagu (originally called Kodaimalenadu) means 'dense forest on steep hill'. Dubbed as the Scotland of India, this town has a lot to offer to the tourist. There are many versions behind the origin of the name Kodagu. According to the Puranas, Kodava is the redifned name of Krodhadesa, meaning 'Land of Anger', said to have been inhabited by the Kodava tribe. While for some, it is believed to hve been named after the River Cauveri, where 'kod' means 'give' and 'ava' means 'mother' - which means Cauvery is the 'mother to the people'. Few believe the name originated from the Kannada kudu which means 'dense forest' on a steep hill. It is said that the history of Coorg dates back to as early as 888 AD. The kingdom was ruled by many dynasties, starting with Gangas of Talakad, Kadambas, Cholas, Kongalvas, Changalvas, Hoysalas and Nayakas. Information on its early history has come primarily from the various inscriptions on stone and copper plates of 9th - 10th century. The Haleri dynasty was the last noteworthy dynasty to rule the whole of Kodagu. It came into power around mid-16th century and was founded by a young price from Ikkeri. It was the first dynasty in the history of Kodagu, whch spanned 234 years and ruled the entire region. Sight Seeing And Trekking At Madikeri Madikeri has an array of sightseeing spots for you to enjoy and a variety of activities too. There is the Madikeri fort which was built in the 19th century and consists of a palace, chapel and prison. The fort overlooks the town, and the view is almost breathtaking in the night. There is even the Raja’s Seat. It is believed that all the Kings in the Kodagu vicinity would come and spend their free time here. There are a herd of tourists that come to watch the sunset in the evening. The Abbey falls is about 8 km from Madikeri. It is the perfect place to spend an entire day, have a picnic, and laze around. Bhagamandala is a temple that is built at the junction of the Cauvery, Kanika, and Sujyothi rivers. It has a number of shrines all built under one roof. There is also the Talacauvery, which is a very auspicious spot as it is the site of the origin of the river Cauvery. Nisargadhama is a very serine picnic spot, where you can enjoy the view with some delicious delicacies. Trekking is one of the major activities at Madikeri, and some of the trekking spots are Thadiyandamole, Pushpagiri, Brahmagiri, and Nishanimotte and many more.