History and Culture

1. Talacauvery and Bhagamandala – The River Cauvery originates from here. Three rivers converge here to form the Triveni Sangama, Kaveri, Sujyothi and Kanike. The famous Bhangandeshwara Temple here has a distinct touch of Kerala to it. One needs to take permission from the temple authorities before taking a dip at the Sangam. Tulasankranama (17 October) sees a sea of humanity come here to bathe in the holy waters and offer prayers. The source of this long river is atop a hill called Brahmagiri. There are steps leading up to the Brahmagiri peak, from where one can enjoy a panoramic view of Kodagu.
2. Omkareshwara Temple - This was built in 1820 by Lingarajendra, a local ruler, to redeem himself of the sin killing an honest Brahmin to fulfill his political ambitions. The temple combines Gothic, Islamic and Dravidian styles of architecture.
3. Visit the biggest Tibetan settlement in southern India – Did you know there is an 18,000-strong community of Tibetans living in southern India? Bylakuppe, situated 90 kms away from Mysore city on the Mysore-Madikeri highway, is the largest Tibetan refugee camp, housing thousands of Tibetans in exile. Over 45 years ago Tibetans settled here, creating a ‘mini-Tibet’ in one village.
4. Iguthappa Temple and Nalnad Palace

Adventure, Nature and Outdoor Sports

1. Bee-keeping – Learn the art of Bee-keeping from your Host at Ashraya. He has been pursuing it as a hobby for the last 35 years. You would also under the traditional way of extraction the honey as well as the methodology used to start a hive.  In India beekeeping has been mainly forest based. Several natural plant species provide nectar and pollen to honey bees. Thus, the raw material for production of honey is available free from nature. Bee hives neither demand additional land space nor do they compete with agriculture or animal husbandry for any input. The beekeeper needs only to spare a few hours in a week to look after his bee colonies.
2. Abbi Falls - About 10 km from Madikeri, deep inside a coffee estate, the falls offers a spectacular view and is a favoured picnic destination. Abbey is at its glorious best during the monsoon season.
3. Dubbare Elephant Camp – The elephants for the Mysore Dussehra festivities are trained here.
4. Tadiandamol Peak – For those of you who are adventurous – there is the Tadiandamol peak. Tadiandamol is the highest mountain of Coorg district and the second highest in Karnataka. It reaches an elevation of approximately 1,748 m. A trek up this peak is said to be a wonderful experience. From easy to arduous treks, Coorg has varying trails for all kinds of adventure seeker. The best season to plan treks in Coorg is December to May. The three main mountain peaks in Coorg for trekking are Brahmagiri, Pushpagiri and Tadiandamol. You can trek alone or with a guide. Organisations like Coorg Adventure Club (CAC) rganize trekking expeditions from time to time and can arrange the necessary facilities for the interested trekkers. The experience has it all: thick forests, sloping hills, waterfalls, incredible views of this area dubbed ‘Scotland of the East’.
5. Caver Nisargsdhama – A 2.5 sq. km. large island in the middle of the river Cauvery. It is a popular picnic spot.
6. Watch the hockey festival – Hockey is a traditional game of the Kodava community, the ethnic group of this region. The Kodava Hockey festival in Coorg has run since 1997. The principal rule of the festival is that a particular team is represented by members of a specific family. Each year, the festival is rganized by a different family who give their name to the tournament. It’s for both men and women and is considered to be of great importance. The festival was initiated to bring the people of Kodava community closer. The opening and closing ceremonies are held with spectacle of various dances and a emonstration of martial arts of Kodavas. This tournament holds a place in the Limca Book of Records for the maximum entries in a tournament (sometimes more than 200 teams participate).
7. Walk the plantations – Coorg is densely covered with coffee, pepper and cardamom estates. These estates on the lush and steep hills of Coorg make an interesting walk. You can stay in one of the plantation properties and learn from the estate owner all about the growth of coffee and important local spices. Not to mention enjoy a piping hot coffee made wish fresh beans as you relax and enjoy the wonderful views.

Ask you host for further suggestions that may suit your requirements.