Custom Search

A Trip to Coorg Hill Station, Scotland of India

by Lakshmi Menon
(Bangalore, India)

We hired a taxi to Coorg and five of us as a family left from Bangalore to enjoy a holiday at the scenic Hill station of Coorg, which is also called as Scotland of India. It is nestled in the Western Ghats of India. We took the route of Bangalore-Maddur-Mandya- Srirangapattana-Mysore-Hunsur-Coorg

We had booked our accommodation in Chillipilli Homestay in Hoskere Village at Mercara which was referred by a friend. It was our first experience of staying in a homestay and we thoroughly enjoyed it.

On our way, when we were passing near Mysore in the evening, our driver asked us whether we would like to have a glimpse of Brindavan Gardens, which is just a few kilometers away from there. It was really a tempting offer. Since some of us had not seen the spectacular show we decided to take a detour to reach there. We spent about 40 minutes in Brindavan Garden and it was worth the time to watch the man-made beauty.

Because of our unplanned visit to Brindavan Garden, we reached our Homestay in Coorg late by night. However, our hosts were very understanding and without any fuss they welcomed us with smiling face and served us food. We were given two rooms with the necessary basic facilities, and the food was awesome. They served us the delicious Coorgi food.

The next day, after breakfast, we left for the sight-seeing tour. Our hosts had given us proper directions as to what to see and how to go. Following their instruction, we began to explore the places. During our stay there, we visited the following -

1) Sri Bhagadeshwara Temple at Bhagamandala, dedicated to Lord Shiva, located about 35 kms from Madikere town. The Triveni Sangam is here - the confluence of three rivers namely Kaveri, Kannike and Sujyoti.

2) Talacauvery, the origin of River Cauvery, at the foot of Brahmahiri Hill. It is a popular pilgrimage spot in South India.

3) Abbey Falls - Walking through the 800 meters narrow path of the private plantation of coffee bushes, wild vines and creepers, located 10 km. away from Madikere, cascading from majestic mountains of the Western Ghats, with misty clouds in the backdrop, it was a wonderful experience of watching the gushing waterfalls.

4) Dubare Elephant Camp - Located on the banks of River Cauvery, in Kushalnagar, it was an exhilarating experience of a boat ride to see the Elephants.

5) Cauvery Nisargadhama - It is a breathtaking and beautiful island off the state highway and a paradise for nature lovers. The island stretches across 64 km. and is nestled amid lush bamboo groves, thick foliage, and beautiful sandalwood and teak trees. The access to this beautiful place is via a hanging rope bridge,which is an exhilarating experience. My children enjoyed the adventurous sports like flying on the zip line from a tree-top.

6) Madikere Fort - This historic monument houses an Anglican church, a temple, a prison and a museum, including a vintage clock tower.

7)Omkareshwara temple- The Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, built in 1820, features spectacular Mumammadan architectural style with a centre dome and four corners with turrets and a beautiful pond at the centre with fresh water fishes. The temple is Similar to a Muslim dargah with a Linga installed near the entrance door.

8) Raja's Seat - It was once the favorite place of leisure of Kodagu kings. It is stunning to watch the beauty of the hill station sitting and standing at the steps there. It has a sprawling seasonal garden perched on a hillock that offers picturesque view of the sunset.

9) Bylekuppe - The Tibetan Temple called the Golden Temple, the second largest Tibetan settlement in India.

Before leaving the homestay on the third day, we wanted to take a tour of their coffee estate, but we had to cancel it due to the rain.

We made some new friends who too stayed in the same place and thrilled to meet them again and again at each of the places.

Distance from Bangalore to Coorg - 260 kms.

***

Comments for A Trip to Coorg Hill Station, Scotland of India

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

Nov 04, 2016
Rating

by: Lakshmi

Dear Pankaja, Thanks a lot for the encouraging comments from a legend like you and it made my day. More details of my Coorg trip is here -
https://travel-muse.blogspot.in/
Enjoyed Onam and Deepavali. Hope you too had great celebrations during the time.

Nov 02, 2016
Rating

Good
by: Nuggehalli Pankaja

Lakshmi, you really have a flair for writing travelogues! You make the reader travel with you!
I savoured every line,and sent it to my grandchildren and daughter.Maybe it will entice them to take a similar trip next time they come.
How are you? Deepavali and Onam greetings,though belated.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Your Travelogues.