Category Archives: About Kodagu / Coorg

Of loyalty & betrayal

About Kodagu / Coorg, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All
Kodava King Lingarajendra was assisted by his trusted soldier Thathanda Subbayya on several hunting expeditions to please British officers. A famous painting, depicting the king offering Subbayya a gold bracelet, a gun and a sachet of gold coins, is still in the ancestral home of the Thathanda family, discovers C P Belliappa
Lingarajendra was not meant to be king. However, a series of lucky breaks landed him on the throne of Kodagu in 1811.

It was a combination of luck and chicanery that propelled him from being the timid younger brother of Dodda Veerarajendra to finally usurping the kingdom of Kodagu by cleverly dislodging the eleven-year-old daughter of his brother who had been named successor to the throne.

After the demise of Dodda Veerarajendra, Lingarajendra started asserting himself, and within a short time took complete control over his domain.

He was wise in maintaining good relationships with the powerful British who had established a strong presence in neighbouring Mysore after overthrowing Tipu Sultan.

One of the attractions Lingarajendra offered the British officers was organising elaborate hunting expeditions in the dense forests of Kodagu, which had abundant wildlife. As a protectorate of the British, there was no external threat to his kingdom. He diligently presented two elephants every year to the East India Company as a tribute.

Lingarajendra had a very loyal and trusted lieutenant in a young Kodava soldier called Thathanda Subbayya. Lingarajendra, though short in stature, was physically very tough. Also, he was very agile and athletic. He was an excellent horseman, a sharp shooter and an able archer. Subbayya was one of the few who could match him in marksmanship. This brought the two closer and Subbayya was Lingarajendra’s constant companion on every hunting trip of the raja.

Thathanda Subbayya rose rapidly in the court of Lingarajendra and was promoted to the post of kariakara which was equivalent to the position of an Army Commander. In a well-documented hunting trip of Colonel Welsh and Lieutenant Williamson in March 1811, it was Thathanda Subbayya who was in charge of all the arrangements for the elaborate shikari. Colonel Welsh who later became a General was extremely pleased with the sizeable booty of trophies he collected after the hunt. He promised all support for Lingarajendra and also requested the raja for another hunting adventure during October the same year.

After the departure of the guests, an immensely pleased Lingarajendra presented Subbayya with a gold bracelet, a gun and a sachet full of gold coins. He then announced a gift which was awarded only to very special subjects. It was to be painted in a portrait along with Lingarajendra.

This painting depicting a reverential Subbayya in front of Lingarajendra is still in existence at the ancestral home, or the aynmane of the Thathanda family in Kukloor village near Virajpet. When I visited the aynmane, the present residents allowed me to take a photograph of the painting which is placed in a recess of the wall next to the traditional hanging lamp known as thook bolucha. This is a sacred place in Kodava homes meant for offering regular obeisance to ancestors.

Taming the tiger
All the attention that kariakara Subbayya was receiving generated great envy amongst other members in the court of the raja. They felt threatened, and feared Subbayya would soon be promoted above some of the senior officers.

Few of his rivals waited for an opportunity to damage the reputation of Subbayya in the eyes of Lingarajendra. A few months later, Lingarajendra received an appeal from nearby villagers about a tiger that was terrorising the area and they wanted the raja to help them eliminate the beast.

Lingarajendra asked Subbayya to make all the arrangements and also set up a machaan (platform on a tree) for him to stalk the tiger. A live bait was tied in the vicinity to attract the big cat.

Subbayya who was an expert in setting up machaans immediately got on to the job and made all the necessary arrangements for the hunt. His foes took advantage of this event to discredit Subbayya. They surreptitiously sent their men to sabotage the machaan on which Lingarajendra was to camp overnight. The ropes used to tie the machaan were cut half-way to make it weak and unsafe.

Subbayya’s sacrifice
Lingarajendra got on to the machaan and Subbayya sat on another machaan set up atop another tree. A little after midnight, the tiger made its appearance where Lingarajendra sat waiting. There was no escape for the tiger with Lingarajendra’s accurate gunshot.

But, with the recoil of the powerful gun, Lingarajendra’s machaan gave way as the weakened ropes snapped. It was entirely the agility of the raja that enabled him to hold on to a branch and get down using the rope ladder.

Lingarajendra was furious and wanted Subbayya to be brought to him immediately. Subbayya who heard the gun shot got down from his machaan and was walking towards where Lingarajendra camped. He met the soldiers on the way who were looking for him. The soldiers narrated what had happened.

Subbayya who knew the raja’s explosive temper was sure he would be killed on sight. He told the soldiers that he would follow them. He then sat under a tree and shot himself in the chest with the gun that Lingarajendra had presented him months earlier.

When Lingarajendra learnt about Subbayya having taken his own life, he was most upset. He had complete faith in Subbayya and had no intentions of harming his loyal kariakara. He vowed to investigate the incident and punish the culprits.

Subbayya was still a bachelor and was planning to get married soon. He was a rising star among Kodavas at the time. Lingarajendra bitterly grieved Subbayya’s untimely demise. He built a memorial (in Lingayat style) in honour of his trusted kariakara in Kukloor village. This monument is well-maintained by the Thathanda family even to this day.

Lingarajendra ruled Kodagu for nine years. The economy of Kodagu improved during his tenure and there was no threat of war. For the battle-weary citizens of Kodagu, this period of peace came as a great reprieve.

Lingarajendra, however, turned despotic during the later part of his reign. His son and the last raja of Kodagu, Chikka Veerarajendra succeeded him in 1820. In 1834, the British dethroned the unpopular Chikka Veerarajendra and Kodagu came under the direct rule of the East India Company. Chikka Veerarajendra was ingloriously exiled to Benares.

source: www.deccanherald.com / History > / September 20th, 2011

Kannada version of ‘Rise and Fall of Coorg State’

About Kodagu / Coorg, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, , , , , , , , ,

“Coorg State: Udaya-Pathana”, Kannada version of journalist P.T. Bopanna’s book, “Rise and Fall of Coorg State”, dealing with the merger of the erstwhile Coorg (Kodagu) State with the then Mysore (Karnataka) State in 1956 has been released.

The English version of the book was published in 2009. B.K. Ganesh, a journalist, who also hails from Kodagu, has translated the book into Kannada, Mr. Bopanna said in a statement.

Commenting on the book published by the Press Club of Bangalore, Mr. Bopanna said when “Rise and Fall of the Coorg State” in English was first published, he was not sure how it would fare in the market.

There were reasons for his apprehension as he was publishing the book all by himself and no one had showed keenness in publishing it.

But to his surprise, the entire copies were sold out within two months of publication, mainly in Kodagu, he said. He felt the need for bringing out the Kannada edition of the book to reach out to the Kannada readers to make them understand the feelings of the people in Kodagu.

Even though Kannadigas were overjoyed by the integration of Kodagu with Karnataka, a large section of the people in Kodagu still felt that they would have been better off in the independent Coorg State, he said.

It was up to the policy-makers in Bangalore to try and remove the feeling of alienation by striving for the comprehensive development of Kodagu, he said.

Mr. Bopanna has authored four books, including “Discover Coorg”, the best-selling handbook on Kodagu which was translated into Kannada earlier. Mr. Bopanna also runs the website, www.coorgtourisminfo.com. The book is priced at Rs. 80 a copy.

source: http://www.theHindu.com / National>Karnataka> Mysore / September 17th, 2011 / by Staff Correspondent

Coorg – The Scotland of India

About Kodagu / Coorg, Uncategorized, World Opinion, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Coorg located on the Western Ghats around 180 miles from the hi-tech city of India Bangalore, in the state of Karnataka is admired for its enduring beauty. The recorded history of the area says that it was ruled by the Lingayat Rajhas who established their capital at Madikeri where they built a mud fort. The inhabitants of Coorg, Kodavas agitated the Mysore ruler Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan in the course of random rebellions.

Eventually Tipu marched into Coorg with a large army in 1785 AD and overcome to their little kingdom. But just after four years, with the British assistance, Coorg take back their Kingdom and Raja Veerarajendra set about the task of reconstruction. Yet in 1834 AD, the British captured the Coorg and prosecuted the last Raja Chikkaveera Rajendra and expelled him. With its foggy mountains and opaque jungles, Coorg give the impression like a little corner of to the British and adopted a name as the Scotland of India.

The British left a legacy behind that is still an imperative source of national capital. The well laid coffee plantations by them in Coorg account for almost half of Karnataka’s coffee production and the state goes on with to be the major producer of coffee. Talakaveri, the origin of the River Kaveri is situated in the Brahmagiri hills of Coorg and this area is about 4,500 ft above the sea level. Hence, it is one of the scenic spot in Coorg. A temple and a big tank have been built near the kundike at Talakaveri; the pilgrims’ take bath in the tank prior to praying at the origin of the river.

There are two famous Hindu Temples dedicated to lord Shiva and lord Ganesha and both the temples are open to visitors. Coorg has many verdant hiking routes in the midst of forests and hills, and it’s better to visit in the months from October to February. Misty hills, lush forest, acres and acres of tea and coffee plantations, orange groves, undulating streets and breathtaking views are what make Coorg an unforgettable holiday destination. You can accompany cheap flights to India for exploring this marvelous destination that is definitely going to manage your travel budget in a way you will be able visit much more places of interest.

A breathtaking attraction of waterfalls known as abbey Falls is located at a distance of around four miles from Madikeri town, approaching this attraction is itself an excellent ride experience as the path that you drive on is very narrow with countless turns and twists, ups and downs with a ebullient mother nature greets you at each turn. This famous falls, situated on a private property, attracts a large number of tourists around the globe. There are other famous waterfalls to be explored such as Iruppu Waterfalls, Mallalli Waterfalls and the Chelavara Waterfalls. A nature lovers paradise Nisargadama, an ecological park, this romantic 64-acre island is reachable through a hanging bridge offering immense pleasure to all the Nature and Fun loving tourists to wander around the park. You can also visit various stunning attractions like Nagarahole, Dubare Forest, Harangi Dam, Chiklihole Reservoir, Omkareshwara Temple, Coffee Plantation Farm, Raja’s Seat and Madikeri Fort.

source: http://www.CheapFlightHouse.co.uk / admin> News> / August 28th, 2011

 

‘Muthina Male’ Coorg Rain on Screen

About Kodagu / Coorg, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nature, , , , , , , , , , , ,

'Muthina Male' Coorg Rain on ScreenThe rainy season of Coorg district is very special and something lovely to watch. The five Coorgi friends Bhasker Raju, P Chandrasekhar Raju, KK Balaji, YS Satish and DM Vishwanath are up to give a cooling effect for Kannada audience from the first venture ‘Muthina Male’. Male – rain is referred to pearls in literature.

Priya Sagar has worked in the camps of directors Prem, Victory Vasu, Om Prakahs Rao, Kashinath and Dwarki. There is no special story but the presentation if the new thing he says. In the beginning and ending rain will be found on the silver screen.

Ragana a Coorgi is appearing in her second film. It is because the shooting will be held in Coorg Ragana alias Anusha Poo accepted this film. She has appeared in ‘Besuge’ Kannada film. it is a homely role says Ragana. Ragana comes to Coorg to give an invitation and there the ‘Pyaar’ factor evolves.

Vishwas of ‘Kalgejje’ is in his fifth film and this is his second film as solo hero. Priya Sagar as director has done good story, screenplay, dialogues and the team has the winning aspiration says Vishwas.

AT Ravish is Ravi Sharma from this film is trying his luck as music director. He has six songs for this film. Mohan is the cameraman of ‘MM’.

Chandrasekhara Raju on behalf of the producers said this is a new attempt said we want to present the feel of Coorg rain for the silver screen from this film.

source: http://www.supergoodmovies.com / Jun 27th, 2011

Cairns of Megalithic Era Found

About Kodagu / Coorg, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

UNEXPLORED:A view of the cairns at Doddamalte village in Kodagu.

UNEXPLORED:A view of the cairns at Doddamalte village in Kodagu.Legend has it that the relics at Doddamalte date back to the Mahabharata . ASI took up a survey of the area two years ago. Survey discovered rich deposits of granite

Madikeri:

Antique cairns that have been sighted in a few places in Kodagu have so far remained a mystery. One of the sites where a number of such structures are found is at Doddamalte village, close to the picnic spot of Honnammanakere,  in Somwarpet taluk of Kodagu district.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which had conducted a survey of the area a couple of years ago, had concluded them as megalithic burial monuments. These are called cairns. These cairns remain at the ground level or in some cases their tops crop out of the ground a little bit. They resemble a stone chamber about six or seven-foot long, three-and-a-half to four-foot wide and about four to five-foot in height. In some cases, granite pillars raised at four corners are surmounted by a granite slab.

These burial structures, which could date back to 2,500 to 3,000 years, (megalithic period) appear either as solitary structures or in groups or in columns at Doddamalte village. One could surely conclude that human civilisation thrived at that age in Kodagu. However, not much of an effort has gone into the mystery to ascertain what exactly those cairns contained, residents of Doddamalte, who call the spot as “Pandva Pare”, say.

There are two hillocks towards both ends of Honnammanakere, one of the popular picnic spots in Kodagu, near Somwarpet town. The hillock towards left of the Honnammanakere temple has these megalithic burial monuments.

Shivanand, a resident of Somwarpet, says the ASI did take up some kind of survey of the area two years ago, but nothing happened afterwards. The areas had rich deposits of granite. Quarrying took place in one portion of the hillock but it had now stopped, he told The Hindu.

Legend also has it that the Pandavas, celestial heroes of the yore, travelled the place and stayed at the spot by which the name Pandava Pare was derived.

According to another version, people who dug up the Honnammanakere did not get water. Water came in abundance only after human sacrifices were made. Those bodies were buried at Pandava Pare. Whichever theory is correct, the ASI has failed to protect these monuments, including fencing, leave alone ascertaining the facts.

The ASI had two circles in the State, one at Dharwad and another in Bangalore. These monuments came under the purview of the Mysore sub-circle of the ASI.

Similar sites were found at Bavali village in Madikeri taluk ( The Hindu reported it two years ago) and also in some places such as Kedamullur in Virajpet taluk.

According to information gathered here (from the Gazetteer of Coorg), one such cairn was first noticed in Kodagu in 1856 and several others were found near Virajpet in 1868 and also near Fraserpet (now Kushalnagar) later.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / by Jeevan Chinnappa / National / Karnataka / Apr 07th, 2010

A Tiger Wedding in Coorg, India

About Kodagu / Coorg, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, World Opinion, , , , , , , , , , , ,

A Tiger Wedding in Coorg, India

The Illustrated London News,   Dateline: December 06th, 1873

A TIGER WEDDING IN COORG.
“The small province of Coorg, in Southern India, is situated among the mountains that separate Mysore from the Malabar coast to the west. Its late Rajah, being of cruel and treacherous misrule, was deposed in 1834, and the Coorgs, being put to the vote, unanimously desired to become complete subjects of the British Government. In 1852, the deposed Rajah visited England, accompanied by his daughter Gauramma, and paid his former enemies the compliment of seeking for her an English and Christian education. In June 30, 1852, she was baptized, the Queen herself standing sponsor, and giving her the name ‘Victoria.’ The Princess Victorian Gauramma, who was a constant visitor to her Majesty at Osborne and Windsor, eventually married an English officer of the name of Campbell. She died in 1864; her tyrant father lies buried in the Kensal-green Cemetery.
“A good description of Coorg will be found in ‘Eastern Experiences,’ by Mr. Lewin Bowring, late Resident or Governor of Mysore. The natives are distinguished for their fine appearance and warlike temper. They are skillful hunters, being trained for this from infancy; at the birth of a boy, the first thing done is to place a little bow and arrow in his hands, and to fire a gun outside the house, thus initiating his career as a huntsman and warrior.
“In the accompanying illustration there is abundance of music, feasting, torchlight, and dancers; and the owner of the mansion is brought in with triumph to graces the festival.
“A curious ceremony takes place when a tiger has been shot by a Coorg man. Tigers are not numerous in the country, and this ceremony has only occurred twice within the past four years. On the last occasion, March 9 of this year, the successful huntsman was Mr. Colovanda Carriapah, Head Sheristadar of the Mercara Talook. In this ceremony the man is wedded to the soul of the dead tiger.
“As shown in the Illustration, he is seated under a canopy in full warrior costume. On each side are placed his weapons and the household emblems of plenty, vessels of rice and milk, and burning lamps, analogous to the Masonic corn, wine and oil. So he sits, receiving the homage and congratulations of his relatives and friends. Each scatters a few grains of rice over his head, and gives him a sip of milk from a brass vessel resembling a teapot, and makes an offering in money, varying in value according to the means of the donor. The hero of the day is afterwards carried in triumph round the tiger, which is suspended to a high bamboo grame in the garden. The officers and ladies of the regiment stationed at Mercara, who reside in the late Rajah’s palace, were specially invited to attend.
“Mr. Carriapah is a native Coorg gentleman of high merit and distinction. He wears the gold Coorg medal, which was presented by the British Government to his father, for suppressing an insurrection in South Canara. Our correspondent would further testify to Mr. Carriapah’s unvarying support of English education among the Coorgs. A wealthy and influential man, he spares neither time nor money in this cause, and has, at his sole expense, erected schools for Coorg girls as well as boys, and has on several occasions received the thanks of the Government of India, as well as of the local Government of Mysore and Coorg.
“We are indebted to Captain Belford Cummins, of the Staff Corps at Mercara, for the sketch we have engraved.

source: http://www.harappa.com

Kodagu’s Charms

About Kodagu / Coorg, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Nature, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
To say Kodagu is a tourist haven would be an understatement. The district has many interesting sights, from cascades, peaks to ancient temples and tombs, writes P T Bopanna
The scenic Kodagu (erstwhile Coorg) district is a tourist paradise for nature lovers. Kodagu is not the sort of place for the routine tourist, undertaking a ‘package tour’. It is for those who want to soak in nature. 

Kodagu shares one of its boundaries with Kerala. The landlocked district is not connected by train or air. The only way to reach this nature’s resort is to take a bus ride from Mysore, Mangalore or Hassan cities. Madikeri (known earlier as Mercara), the district headquarters of Kodagu, is 120 km from Mysore and 260 km from Bangalore.

Though Kodagu is dotted with several towns like Virajpet, Kushalnagar, Somvarpet, Gonikoppal and Pollibetta, only Madikeri and Kushalanagar to some extent, have good tourist facilities. There are not many clean budget hotels in Kodagu. Most tourists prefer to stay at ‘home stays’ spread across Kodagu, including at Madikeri. The home stays are mostly located away from the towns and housed in the midst of coffee plantations.

Home stays are a big draw
Home stays involve either sharing homes with the resident family or staying in independent bungalows. They offer an opportunity to enjoy the legendary hospitality of the Kodavas, the predominant community of Kodagu. There are an estimated 1,000 home stays in Kodagu, catering to various categories of tourists.

The tariff could range from around Rs 800 a couple per day to Rs 3,000, depending upon the facilities and location. Kodagu’s roads are a driver’s nightmare. Though the region has emerged as a major tourist destination, not much it seems, has been done to improve road connectivity and tourist infrastructure.

Madikeri is dotted with red-tiled bungalows and has an old world charm about it. Madikeri has several interesting tourist spots. The Raja’s Seat in Madikeri offers a breathtaking view of the towering hills and green valleys studded with paddy fields, and could be considered one of the most scenic spots in South India. Raja’s Seat attracts a lot of tourists and morning walkers. For the nature lover, the ideal time to visit the spot is in the morning when the first rays of the sun pierces through the mist covered valley. Madikeri Palace of the erstwhile Kodagu Rajas located inside the Fort, now houses the offices of the Deputy Commissioner. The brick and mortar structure was built in 1814.

The Omkareshwara temple in Madikeri was built by Lingarajendra II in 1820 in the Mohammedan style of architecture with a dome at the centre and four turrets at the four corners. The temple is akin to a Muslim dargah with a Linga installed near the entrance door.

Gaddige, or the tombs of kings Veerarajendra and Lingarajendra at Madikeri, is one of the important monuments of Kodagu. The hillock where the tombs are located is to the north of Madikeri and provides a commanding view of the town. The tombs are in the style of Mohammedan edifices with domes in the centre and turrets at the corners. Abbey Falls is a picnic spot eight km from Madikeri town, where water from the Madikeri stream gushes down from a height of 70 feet. It is a treat to watch the torrent of water in the monsoon season between July-October.

Talacauvery, the birthplace of the sacred river Cauvery, is located on the slopes of Brahmagiri Hill. Besides being a pilgrimage centre, Talacauvery is known for its natural beauty. On Tula Sankaramana day in the middle of October, thousands of pilgrims flock to the birthplace of the river to witness a sudden upsurge of water in a small pond, at a predetermined auspicious time. This gushing of water from the small pond is considered a miracle.

Bhagamandala is at the foothills of the Talcauvery. It is eight km downstream from Talacauvery and 39 km from Madikeri. Bhagamandala is at the confluence of the sacred rivers Cauvery and Kanike and legend has it that a third river Sujyothi, a subterranean stream, joins the two rivers here.

The Rajiv Gandhi National Park (Nagarahole) is one of the best maintained game parks in India. The Nagarahole (meaning snake river in Kannada) sanctuary derives its name from the serpentine river which flows through the park.

Irupu Falls, located 48 km from Virajpet on the way to Kutta from Gonikopppal, is both a picnic spot and a pilgrimage centre. The Falls is located in Kurchi village, not far from the Rajiv Gandhi National Park. A stream flowing down the Brahmagiri hill range plunges down 170 feet in two stages with a resounding roar into a rocky valley surrounded by dense forest.

Bylekuppe near Kushalanagar is one of the largest Tibetan settlements in South India. The settlement, set up in 1960, is dotted with several monasteries. Prominent among these are the Great Gompa of Sera Je and Sera Mey and the Namdroling monastery. The gold-coated Buddhist statues in the monastery are imposing and unique, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the Tibetans. Tourists can shop for handicrafts, carpets, incense, sweaters, dress material and other accessories.

Cauvery Nisargadhama is a breathtakingly beautiful island off the state highway, two km from Kushalanagar town and 28 km from Madikeri. The 64-acre island, surrounded by the Cauvery river, can be accessed by walking across a hanging bridge.
Established in 1989, the picturesque picnic spot with lush foliage of thick bamboo groves, sandalwood and teak trees has lovely river-side cottages.  The Harangi dam, built across river Cauvery, is located eight km from Kushalanagar. Behind the dam is a vast reservoir. On the banks of the reservoir stands a temple of Basavanna. Dubare Elephant Training Camp, located 15 km from Kushalanagar, on the banks of the Cauvery river, is run by the Karnataka government-owned Jungle Lodges and Resorts Ltd. A visitor can spend hours simply watching and interacting with elephants, some of which have participated in the Mysore Dasara festivities.
Virajpet town, 32 km from Madikeri, is a taluk headquarters. The town, situated at the foot of a hill, is well connected by road to the coastal Kerala towns of Kannur and Tellicherry.

The Clock Tower is the most visible landmark in Virajpet, erected in 1914 to commemorate the Delhi Durbar of King George V. Another important landmark of Virajpet is St. Anne’s Church built in the Gothic style in 1868.

Tadiyandamol peak (1,745 meters) is the highest peak in Kodagu and poses an exciting challenge to seasoned trekkers. The peak is located in the south-eastern part of Kodagu and is 8 km from the town of Kakkabe which is 35 km from Madikeri. A steep serpentine path from the Nalaknad Palace, leads to the Tadiyandamol peak from where on a clear day, one can view the distant Arabian Sea.

Off the beaten track
But, if you are one of those who wants to take the path not trodden, then, you should probably be exploring Mandalpatti, Mallalli Falls or Honnamana Kere, for instance. The fog-covered awe-inspiring mountains around Mandalpatti, located 20 km from Madikeri, is perhaps the most unexplored region of Kodagu till recently. The presence of treacherous curves makes it risky to travel by road from Madikeri to Mandalpatti during the monsoon.

The forest department has constructed a watchtower atop the mountain which provides a magnificent view of the Pushpagiri mountain range.

The villagers assemble at the mand (village plains) during the annual Hutthari festival for staging sports events and other cultural activities. In recent years, Mandalpatti has emerged as a popular venue for film shooting because of the scenic location.
Mallalli Falls, located 25 km from Somvarpet, is one of the most beautiful water falls in Kodagu. The Kumaradhara river takes a plunge from over 200 feet, creating a spectacular sight. The Falls which lies in the foothills of the Pushpagiri hill ranges is situated in Bettadahalli Gram Panchayat in Somvarpet taluk.

The water falls into a gorge which is surrounded by steep lush green hillocks, making it an ideal place for trekking.

Honnamana Kere is perhaps the biggest lake in Kodagu, situated at Doddamalthe, six km from Somvarpet town, amidst beautiful hills and coffee plantations. During the Gowri festival, a special pooja is conducted and ‘Bagina’ is offered to goddess Honnamma. Newly wed couples visit the lake to make offerings. It is an ideal place for boating and fishing.

 

source: http://www.deccanherald.com/ by P T Bopanna /Supplements / Spectrum / Travel /

 

Kodagu: Land of Coffee, Oranges

About Kodagu / Coorg, Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, , , , , , , , ,
Kodagu is on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats. It is a hilly district with the lowest elevation in the district at 900 meters (2,900 ft) above sea-level.
Kodagu district is bordered by Dakshina Kannada district to the northwest, Hassan district to the north, Mysore district to the east, the Kannur district of Kerala to the southwest, and the Wayanad district of Kerala to the south. 

Kodagu is on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats. It is a 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 Cauvery. The Cauvery starts at Talacauvery, located on the eastern side of the Western Ghats, and, with its tributaries, drains the greater part of Kodagu. In July and August, rainfall is intense, and there are often showers into November. The principal town, and district capital, is Madikeri, erstwhile Mercara. Other significant towns include Virajpet and Somwarpet. The district is divided into the three taluks: Madikeri, Virajpet and Somwarpet.

SUSTAINABLE LIVING

A seed collective in Malnad

The Malnad Forest Garden and Seed Keepers’ collective was born in 2001 as a network of seed exchange groups focused on celebrating and endorsing biodiversity. From 2003, the collective began promoting sustainable livelihoods through conservation-oriented enterprises. The seed collective officially registered as a trust in 2008. Vanastree’s office is located in Sirsi town, but the collective has members scattered across Malnad (hilly region of the Western Ghats) as well as in the narrow coastal belt and in the eastern fringes of the Ghats.
Vanastree’s objectives arose out of concerns for the economic stability of the region and the danger of losing its small-scale, traditional food production system to the forces of globalisation. Vanastree, which translates as “Women of the Forest” in Kannada, also emphasises the traditional role of women in conservation.
Vanastree’s activities include: Forming a decentralised regional seed bank and one in Sirsi town; building an internship programme, supporting collective members in creating a variety of home-based conservation enterprises. These include production of value-added foods based on local cuisine, sales of crafts and other items, camps
and eco-homestays.
(vanastree.org)


All for organic agriculture

Sahaja Samrudha started as a farmer initiated group to exchange ideas, seeds and share knowledge on sustainable agriculture. It  was the culmination of individual efforts into a more exciting and powerful force to make sustainable agriculture a way of life for the farming community. Samrudha has been establishing contacts, building networks, facilitating exchange of experience and developing programmes based on the needs of farmers of specific regions.
(sahajasamrudha.org)

Send your comments to: spectrum@deccanherald.co.in or Spectrum  c/o Deccan Herald, #75 M G Road, Bangalore-560001

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Supplements / Spectrum/ Know Your District /

Kodagu Handbook Released

About Kodagu / Coorg, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, , , , , , , ,
A compilation of articles on Kodagu (Coorg) ‘Dateline Coorg’ written by senior journalist P T Bopanna over the last two decades has been released.
Cover page of the book ‘Dateline Coorg’ by P T Bopanna.Inspired by the success of his last book ‘Rise and Fall of the Coorg State’, which went into reprint within two months of its release, Bopanna’s new book contains text of the full bench judgement of the Karnataka High Court on the controversial Jamma lands in Kodagu. 

Commenting on his new book, Bopanna says:  “As a journalist based in Bangalore, I had taken active interest in the affairs of Kodagu in the last quarter of a century. This book will come in handy for those wanting to understand the major socio-economic issues prevailing now in Kodagu. Besides, the book is intended to serve as an important reference for students of history in the future.”

The author was one of the first to report on the Union government’s move in 1993 to withdraw the exemption given to Kodavas (Coorgs) and Jamma-holders to possess firearms without licence. The Centre wanted to withdraw the privilege after guns from Kodagu reached the hands of the banned Maoists in Andhra Pradesh.Through his reports, Bopanna was able to put across to the policy makers in Delhi that people of Kodagu not only worshipped their weapons, but seldom misused their privilege. It was pointed out that the gun-running was the handiwork of a couple of gun dealers in Kodagu who had brought a bad name to the district.

There is a special chapter on India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s lurking fear of a military take-over and his unease with the two most popular Generals of independent India, Field Marshal K M Cariappa and General K S Thimayya, both hailing from Kodagu.
The articles range from serious issues pertaining to separate statehood for Kodagu, Jamma land tenure, gun license exemption, looting of forest wealth to subjects like the experiments involving the DNA study to explore the origin of the Kodavas and the moves to develop a script for the Kodava language by a German.

A postscript has been added to incorporate the developments taken place after the articles were written. The book is priced at Rs 100. Bopanna is the author of ‘Discover Coorg’, the bestselling handbook on Kodagu, published in 2006. The book has already run into three editions. Besides, a Kannada edition of the book has also been published.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Mysore / DH News Service / Aug 19th, 2010

 

Saving Kodagu District’s Forests

About Kodagu / Coorg, Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature
Kodagu district, the micro hotspot of biodiversity along the Western Ghats is considered one of the eight hotspots of biodiversity in the world.
Degradation of natural forests, loss of tree cover and diversity, depletion of ground water resources, economic instability due to continuous and persistent negative impact on the mainstream activity of coffee cultivation in the form of low prices, crop loss, labour problems, increasing human elephant conflicts, land use changes, are some of the pressures calling for attention to save this landscape.

A group of likeminded people and organisations who are stakeholders and are aware and involved in conservation activities came forward to form an organisation which culminated in the Kodagu Model Forest Trust (KMFT).

An eight-pronged strategic plan to address the issues was prepared and programmes designed to rejuvenate the social, cultural, ecological and economic stability of this unique landscape. Accordingly, KMFT has been mobilising support from various organisations, funding agencies, government, research institutions, general public and NGOs who are the stakeholders for maintenance of the health of this landscape.

One such programme through partnership building with NGO-government-community is being implemented in mitigation of Human-Elephant-Conflict (HEC) in the fringe areas of the only National Park of Kodagu, Nagarahole. The project aims to understand the cause for degradation of the natural habitat of elephants, destruction of elephant corridors and work to improve the natural habitat through partnerships. The programme thus conceptualised, initiated and implemented by the KMFT is ‘The Green Village Community Forum’ (GVCF).

The partnership is between the Kodagu Model Forest, Karnataka Forest Department and the Communities living in the problem area consisting of coffee planters, plantation labourers, tribal settlement and the local governing body. The objective is achieved through education and demonstration.

The Department builds the infrastructure, while the community jointly maintains the infrastructure by generating the required funds from within the community and with technical support from the KMFT. Months ago, the GVCF (Thithimathi-Devarapura) was launched, wherein the responsibility of the maintenance of the infrastructure was handed over to the GVCF. An aspect of the programme includes the installation of solar fences and distribution of weather kits to guards.

 

source: http: //www.deccanherald.com / DHNS