Kodagu is one of the districts of Karnataka. Kodagu is also called by the anglicized name of Coorg. Kodagu is the most beautiful hill station in the state. Kodagu is situated on the eastern slope of the Western Ghats. The highest peak of Kodagu, Tadiandamol, has an altitude of 1750 m; Pushpagiri is 1715 m high. The main river is the Cauvery River (Kaveri), which takes birth at Talakaveri on the eastern side of the Western Ghats, and with its tributaries, drains the greater part of Kodagu. Kodagu is rich in wildlife. The district has three wildlife sanctuaries: Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, Talakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary, and Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, and one national park, Nagarahole or Rajiv Gandhi National Park.
Abbey Falls
Abbey Falls also called as Abbi falls is just 5 km from Madikeri. Here the
Madikeri or Muttaramutta stream naturally falls from a precipice at a height of
70 feet in between huge boulders to a rocky valley. The British called Abbey
falls as the Jessy waterfalls in memory of Jessy the daughter of Madikeri’s
first chaplain. During the monsoon season the water flow is very high. Abbey
falls is well known picnic spot. The best time to visit Abbey falls is early
winter when the monsoons have brought plenty of water.
Omkareswara Temple
The Omkareshwara Temple was built by Lingarajendra II in 1820. This temple is built in Indo- Saracenic style of architecture with a dome on the roof and minarets at the four corners. The Linga was brought from Kashi
Bhagamandala
Bhagamandala , a pilgrim centre is located at a distance of 40 km to the west of Madikeri. Bhagamandala is on the banks of the confluence of three rivers, Kaveri, Kannike and the sub terranian Sujyoti, popularly known as “Triveni Sangama”. It is a common practice for pilgrims to take a dip in the Triveni Sangama and perform rituals to their ancestors before proceeding to Talakaveri, the birthplace of Kaveri.
The famous Lord Bhagandeswara temple is located here. The Bhagandeswara temple said to have been built by the Cholas prior to the 11th century. Near to the Triveni sangama, there are four temples, where Lord Shiva, Lord Subramanya, Lord Vishnu and Lord Ganapathi are worshipped. Bhagamandala is a famous Honey marketing centre, the bee rearing centre here is called “Madhuvana”.
Nagarahole National Park
Nagarahole national Park is also known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park. Nagarahole National Park is located 94 km away from Mysore. It is spread between Kodagu and Mysore districts. The sanctuary comprises three forest ranges namely, Nagarahole, Kallahalla & Thitimathi.
Mammals like Elephant, Jackal, Tiger, Panther, Gaur, Muntjac, Sambar, Spotted deer, Elephant, Mongoose, Civet cat, Hyena and reptiles such as King Cobra, Krait, Python, Viper, Tortoise, Monitor Lizard, Toads are found here. Tigers and Panthers are also occasionally seen. The elephant camps of forest department, on the banks of the river Laksmanathirtha, are another attraction to the visitors. The main trees found are Rosewood, Teak, Sandalwood and Silver oak.
Kaveri Nisargadhama
Kaveri Nisargadhama is the wonderful picnic spot situated on the banks of River Kaveri, at a distance of 2 km from Kushalnagar. It can be accessed by traveling over a hanging bridge. The pedal boat center, tree top shelters, elephant safari and deer park are the main attractions of Kaveri Nisargadhama
Talakaveri
Takakaveri is the place where the sacred River Kaveri originates on the slopes of the Brahmagiri hills. Talakaveri is located at a distance of 40 km from Madikeri. Talakaveri can be reached by a motorable road from Bhagamandala, which is at a distance of 8 kms.
This Brahmagiri hills is situated amidst green hills. It is believed that the seven great sages meditated in Brahmagiri hills. The river begins here as a small perennial spring, but flows underground again to emerge a short distance away. There are temples at Talakaveri of Agasthyeshwara and Lord Ganapathi. The fair begins on the auspicious Tula Sankramana day on October 17th, as water gushes out from a conduit. Salam Kallu is the place where the pilgrims can get the finest view of Talakaveri.