Kodagu is a district of Karnataka State in Southern India. It is also known by its anglicised name of Coorg. It occupies about 4,100 square kilometers (1,580 mi²) of land in the Western Ghats of Southwestern Karnataka.
Kodagu's capital is Madikeri or Mercara. The district is bordered by the Dakshina Kannada District to the Northwest, theHassan District to the North, the Mysore District to the East, the Kannur District of Kerala State to the Southwest, and the Wayanad District of Kerala to the South. Other significant towns include Virajpet (Viraranjendrapet) and Somwarpet. The district is divided into the three administrative Talukas (Divisions) of Madikeri, Virajpet and Somwarpet
Kodagu is on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats. It is hilly district with the lowest elevation in the district at 900 meters (2,900 ft) above sea-level. The highest peak, Tadiandamol, rises to 1,750 meters (5,700 ft), with Pushpagiri, the second highest, at 1,715 meters (5,600 ft).
The main river in Kodagu is the Kaveri (Cauvery) River. The Kaveri starts at Talakaveri, located on the eastern side of the Western Ghats, and, with its tributaries, drains the greater part of Kodagu. In the rainy season, particularly during the southwest monsoons from June to the end of September, the currents are violent and rapid. In July and August, rainfall is intense, and there are often rain showers into November. Yearly rainfall may exceed 4,000 millimeters (160 in) in some areas. In dense jungle tracts, rainfall reaches 3,000 to 3,800 millimeters (120 to 150 in) and 1,500 to 2,500 millimeters (60 to 100 in) in the Bamboo District to the west.
Kodagu has an average temperature of 15°C (59°F), ranging from 11 to 28°C (52 to 82°F), with the highest temperatures occurring in April and May.
Kodagu is considered rich with wildlife and has three wildlife sanctuaries and one national park: Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, Talakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary and Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, and Nagarahole or Rajiv Gandhi National Park.
The flora of the jungle includes Michelia champaca (Champak), Mesua (Ironwood), Diospyros (Ebony and other species), Toona ciliata (Indian mahogany), Chukrasia tabularis, Calophyllum angustifolium (Poon spar), Canarium strictum (Black Dammar), Artocarpus, Dipterocarpus, Garcinia, Euonymus, Cinnamomum, Myristica, Vaccinium, Myrtaceae, Melastomataceae, Rubus (three species), and a rose. In the undergrowth are found cardamom, Areca, plantains, canes, wild Black pepper, tree and other ferns, and arums.
In the forest of the less thickly-wooded bamboo country in the west of Kodagu the most common trees are the Dalbergia latifolia (Black wood), Pterocarpus marsupium (Kino tree), Terminalia tomentosa (Matthi), Lagerstroemia parviflora (Benteak), Anogeissus latifolia (Dindul), Bassia latifolia, Butea monosperma, Nauclea parvifiora, and several species of Acacia. Teak and Sandalwood also grow in the eastern part of the district.
The fauna include: the Asian Elephant, Tiger, Leopard , Dhole, Gaur, Boar, and several species of deer.
" ANUGRAHA" Nivas, a Kodava home which has been opened to those looking for a vacation in a luxury resort within an affordable budget. In "ANUGRAHA" Nivas, situated close to Virajpet, you have the luxury and comfort of home. Coorg district, the birthplace of river Cauvery, lies in the picturesque Western Ghats of Karnataka and is home to the Kodavas. The people of Coorg live close to nature and have a great love for the land .
The Coorg coffee estates are famous for their coffee, honey, oranges, cardamom and the queen of spice pepper.
Virajpet
The town of Virajpet is the second town of the district of Kodagu in Karnataka. It is the main town of the Virajpet taluka, in the south of the district. The name is an abbreviation of Virarajendrapete after the former ruler of Kodagu, Virarajendra, and this latter form is still sometimes used
It is a small town of importance for the local coffee and spice crops. Nearby towns are Gonikoppal, Ammatti and Ponnampet. Virajpet is around 30 km away from Madikeri, the district headquarter and is about 250 km from Bangalore. The only way to reach Virajpet is by road.
Some of the tourist attractions in and around Virajpet are the Ayyappa temple halfway up and the Shiva temple at the top of the Malethirike hill, a semispherical hill at Kakotuparambu which is about 8 km from Virajpet, St. Anne's church, the clock tower , Tadiandamol (the highest mountain in Kodagu) and the Igguthappa (local deity) temple.
Accomodation
The Ultra Modern 3 bed room Bungalow " ANUGRAHA NIVAS", is situated admits 15 acre of coffee plantation and serene woods . An ideal place to shred all the stress accumulated over the time, imagine being woken up by chirping of birds rather the usual phone calls or honks of vehicles.
Activities
Activities includes wonderful 14 km one way trekking to the one of highest peaks called Coorg Tadiyendamol ,a visit to the uninhabited Chelavaraya water falls. A lot of indoor activities, cards, chess, carom and also barbeque and camp fire.
Food
Food is as per duration of stay and both Non Veg and Veg, which includes your Breakfast,coffee, lunch,tea , dinner and barbeque (optional). Alcoholic drinks are own or will be arranged upon order/demand.
Please visit photo album for more lovely photo of Coorg.
