Top 10 Sightseeing Places

1. Kotebetta

   Kotebetta ^[2] is the third highest peak in Coorg after Tadiyandamol andBrahmagiri, Kotebetta means "Fort Hill" because of its fort-like appearance. Its height above sea level is 1620 metres (5313 ft). It lies near the border between theDakshina Kannada and Coorg districts. The trek starting point is a junction near a bridge called Hattihole. The peak is 10 km from Hattihole. There is a Shiva temple at the base of Kotebetta.

  

2.  Mandalpatti
                  Mandalpatti is one of the best tourist spots in Coorg. Mandalpatti hills are located approximately (25-30) Kms., from Madikeri town en route to Abbi Falls. Bus facility is not available to Mandalpatti so the visitors have to hire a cab. Once you reach the top of the hill the widespread green belt and the hills will truly make you feel like you are in heaven.


3.  Abbi Falls
        Abbey Falls (also spelled Abbi Falls and Abbe Falls) (Kannada: ಅಬ್ಬೆ ಜಲಪಾತ Abbe jalaphatha) is in Kodagu, in the Western Ghats in Karnataka. It is located 8 km from the Madikeri, 268 km from Bangalore and 122 km fromMysore.he river is part of the early reaches of the river Kaveri. Flow is much higher during the monsoon season.


4.  Harangi Dam
                The Harangi Reservoir is located near Hudgur village, Somwarpet taluk in Kodagu district in the Indian state ofKarnataka.^[1] The reservoir is formed by a masonry dam built across the river Harangi, a tributary of the Kaveri.^[1][2] The dam is located about 9 km away from the heart of Kushalnagar town.

The Harangi originates in the Pushpagiri Hills of Western Ghats in Kodagu, Karnataka.^[2] Heavy rainfall from the south-west monsoon is the source of water in the catchment area of Harangi river which is about 717 km².^[2] The length of the Harangi from its origin to the confluence with the Kaveri river is 50 km.^[2] The Harangi joins the Kaveri near Kudige in Somwarpet taluk.

4.  Dubare Elephant Camp

                    Dubare is known for its elephant camp, a forest camp on the banks of the river Kaveri in the district of Kodagu, Karnataka. It is an important base for the Karnataka Forest Department's elephants.

The elephants for the Mysore Dussehra were trained at Dubare elephant camp^{[citation needed]}. At present, after logging operations have ceased, the elephants have been practically retired except for giving some rides to tourists.^[1]

In addition to the elephant training camp, Nisargadhama ^{[clarification needed]} and Veerabhoomi ^{[clarification needed]} are the other main attractions of the forest area.

There are opportunities for trekking, elephant rides, fishing, and river rafting. These activities are hosted by jungle lodges and resorts. The Forest Department also conducts some treks along well-defined routes.

5.  Golden Temple(Namdroling Monastery)

               The Namdroling Nyingmapa Monastery (or Thekchog Namdrol Shedrub Dargye Ling) is the largest teaching center of the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism in the world.

Located in Bylakuppe, part of the Mysore district of the state of Karnataka, the monastery is home to a sanghacommunity of over five thousand lamas (both monks and nuns), a religious college (or shedra) and hospital.

6.  Talakaveri

      Talakaveri (Kannada: ತಲಕಾವೇರಿ), is the place that is generally considered to be the source of the river Kaveri. It is located by Brahmagiri hill (not to be confused with the Brahmagiri range further south) near Bhagamandala inKodagu district, Karnataka, 1,276 m. above sea level. However, there is not a permanent visible flow from this place to the main rivercourse except during the rainy season.

A tank or kundike has been erected on a hillside, at the place that is said to be the origin. It is also marked by a small temple, and the area is frequented by pilgrims. The river originates as a spring feeding this tank, which is considered to be a holy place to bathe on special days. The waters are then said to flow underground to emerge as the Kaveri river some distance away. The temple has been renovated extensively by the state government recently [2007].

On Tulasankramana day (the first day of Tula Masa month, according to the Hindu calendar, which normally falls in mid October) thousands of pilgrims flock to the river's birthplace to witness the rise of the fountainhead, when water gushes up from the spring at a predetermined moment. The tula snanam (Sacred bath in the Tula month) is observed across pilgrim towns in Kaveri's banks.^[1]

Talakaveri is about 8 km away from Bhagamandala and 48 km from Madikeri.

7.  Nagarhole National Park

          Nagarhole National Park (also known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park), is a national park located in Kodagu districtand Mysore district in Karnataka state in South India.

This park was declared the thirty seventh Project Tiger tiger reserve in 1999. It is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The Western Ghats Nilgiri Sub-Cluster of 6,000 km² (2,300 sq mi), including all of Nagarhole National Park, is under consideration by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for selection as a World Heritage Site.^[1]

The park has rich forest cover, small streams, hills, valleys and waterfalls. The park has a healthy tiger-predator ratio, with many tigers, Indian bison and elephants.

8.  Raja's Seat

    Raja's Seat (Seat of the King) is a seasonal garden of flowers and artificial fountains. It is one of the most important tourist spots in madikeri of Coorg District. It is 270 km away from Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka.

A pleasant spectacle of refreshing layers of greenery, chain of high and low-rise-mountains attired with mist, the Raja Garden is one-time-favorites of Kings of Kodagu who used to watch the setting sun, and spend time with their queens here.^[1] The structure is small square in brick and mortar of four pillars bridged by arches, enhanced by beautiful surroundings. This lovely spot was a favorite place of recreation for the Rajas and hence was permanently associated with them. It is built on a high level ground with a commanding view of the cliffs and valleys to the west. Early in the morning as the sun is just rising in the east, the mist shrouded valley below offers a rare sight. The golden light of the setting sun is a splendor to watch. There is also an attraction of the Toy Train for children.

View from Raja's Seat

9.  Irpu Falls

                 The Irupu Falls (also Iruppu Falls) ಇರ್ಪು ಜಲಪಾತ are located in the Brahmagiri Range^[1] in the Kodagu district ofKarnataka, India, bordering the Wayanad district of Kerala. It is a fresh water cascade and is situated at a distance of 48 km from Virajpet on the highway to Nagarhole.^[2] The Falls are also known as the Lakshmana Tirtha Falls,^[3]derived from the name of the tributary of Cauvery which starts from these falls, the Lakshmana Tirtha River.^[4]

A forest trail leads from these falls to the Brahmagiri Peak in Southern Kodagu. Irupu falls is a major tourist attraction as well as a pilgrimage spot. A famous Shiva temple, the Rameshwara Temple is situated on the banks of theLakshmana Tirtha River,^[2] en route to the Falls. This temple attracts a large number of pilgrims during the festival ofShivaratri.^[4]

10.  Bhagamandla

     Bhagamandala is a pilgrimage place in Kodagu district of South Indian state of Karnataka. It is situated on the river Kaveri in its upstream stretches. At this place, the Kaveri is joined by two tributaries, the Kannike and the mythical Sujyoti river. It is considered sacred as a river confluence (kudala or triveni sangama, inKannada and Sanskrit respectively). Similarly the other related place is Udhaka mandala(English name: Ooty) which means land beside water body in Kannada and Sanskrit respectively.

It is a common practice for pilgrims to take a dip in the triveni sangama and perform rituals to theirancestors before proceeding to Talakaveri, the birthplace of Kaveri. During Tula Sankramana which falls on October 17 or 18th, pilgrims assemble here in large numbers.