Madikeri

Madikeri (also Mercara) is a beautiful hill station and capital of Kodagu region of Karnataka State, between Mangalore and Mysore.

Understand

The history of Madikeri is related to the history of Kodagu.Kodagu became the part of British India after 1834 A.D. The traditional Saree is worn here in reverse, and you can still see older women wearing it in the traditional Kodagu's style.

Get in

By Road

Madikeri is 120 km from Mysore and 136 km from Mangalore. It is 252 km from Bangalore. It is 114 km from Thalassery in Kerala.

By Rail

Madikeri does not have a railway station. Nearest railheads are Hassan,Mysore and Mangalore.

By Air The nearest airports are Mangalore (136 km away)and Bangalore, 252 km.

Get around

Taxis and Autorikshaws are available at reasonable rates. Local buses are not available in plenty. Walking may look tedious inside the town but once you are on k.m. away from the main road it is a very pleasant experience with the smell of coffee piercing your nose.

See

Bhagyamandala Temple

Panoramic view of Madikeri from Raja's seat

• 1 Abbey Falls. Beautiful falls 7-9 km from Madikeri (depends where you are). Abbey means "falls" in Kannda. The falls are inside a coffee plantation. Abbey Falls is a breathtaking waterfall where the Kaveri river cascades down a rockface. A hanging bridge has now been built across the gorge here offering a good view of the falls. A rickshaw to the falls and back with half an hour stop is Rs 150, but if you would like to take a swim at the pool, then a longer stay is advised. Negotiat the price beforehand, aim for around Rs 200 for a 2 hr stay. 

• Bhagamandala Temple (36 km from Madikeri). This temple is built at the confluence of three rivers; Cauvery, Kannika and Sujyothi. The temple is built in the Kerala style. 

• 2 Dubbare Elephant camp (Accessed from the road connecting Madikeri and Kushalnaga, turn off 3 km from Kushal Nagar and then travel 10 km on that deviation). The road in passes through scenic rice fields and coffee estates. Activities include boat rides, rafting and the cauvery. Crossing the river to take you to the camp is quite adventurous. 

• Kushal Nagar. The largest Tibetan Settlement in Southern India and monastery locally called "Golden Temple", in Bylakuppe, near Kushal Nagar. There are 2 monasteries now nearby, one old and the other is new. Don't miss the new, on the way, while going towards old one. You can shop for Tibetan and Chinese handicrafts, decorative and religious items. 

• 3 Madikeri Fort. This fort was first built by Mudduraja in the last quarter of the 17th century. He also built a palace inside the fort. It was eventually rebuilt in granite by Tipu Sultan who named the site as Jaffarabad. In 1790, Doddavira Rajendra took control of the fort. The British who added to the fort in 1834. The palace was renovated by Lingarajendra Wodeyar II in 1812-1814. In the north-east corner at the entrance are two life size masonry elephants and a church is present in the south-east corner. 

• 4 Nisargadhama (3 km from Kushalnagar). a beautiful picnic spot called Nisargadhama. Park is not too great, has some bamboo "machans" on trees, but the best part of it is the river is on the back-side. If you want to go for elephant ride at Nisarga Dhama, please remember to buy ride-tickets along with your entry-ticket before you get in. They do not sell ride-tickets inside; it is a 0.5 km walk back to ticket counter if you forget. 

• 5 Omkareshwara Temple. In the middle of Medikeri, built in a Mohammedan style. 

• Raja's Seat. Legend says that the local rajas used to watch the sun set from here. There is a nice garden and a beautiful panoramic view to the valley. In the middle of Madikeri, ask for directions from the point you are in and walk (or take a rickshaw). It's a fantastic scene during sun rise or sunset. 

• 6 Talakaveri (Tala Kaveri) (42 km from Madikeri). The source of the Cauvery river. The river is famous for annually over flowing the banks here on 17 or 18 October. It is an important pilgrimage site for Hindu people. Cauvery river starts here. You can see a very beautiful view of western ghats by climbing the Brahmagiri Hill. Can be reached by bus. 

Do

• Toy Train for Children, Near Rajadarshan Hotel (2 km). (updated May 2015)

• Valley Watch, Raja Seat Mandap (2 km). (updated May 2015)

Trekking

• Brahmagiri. Wild life sanctuary near Nagarahole National Park. Trekking distance 24 km to and from (80 km from Madikeri).

• Igguthappa Kundu. Trekking distance 12 km to and from (40 km from Madikeri).

• KoteBetta, (5400 ft). Trekking distance 14 km to and from (22 km from Madikeri).

• Nishanimotte. Trekking distance 12 km to and from (6 km from Madikeri).

• Pushpagiri, (5626 ft). Trekkers can cross to Subramanya, in Dakshina Kannada district from Pushpagiri Range.

• Thadiyandamole, (5729 ft). Micro hotspot of bio-diversity in South India, the Trekkers paradise. Breathtaking views of Arabian sea and Kerala coast.

Buy

Madikeri is famous for coffee and pork, you can also try for good quality liquor which suites the local condition

• Family Bakery, Near Telephone Exchange (1 km). (updated May 2015)

• Mahesha Bakery, Near Private Bus stand (1 km). (updated May 2015)

Eat

Madikeri is famous for pork. It is one of the few places in India where pork is a delicacy.

Vegetarians may like Kanika International in Kushal Nagar. However it is at the foothills of Madikeri & one may not like it as there is no good view of the hills there.

• Athithi Pure Vegetarian, Near Police Station (1 km). (updated May 2015)

• Coorg Cuisine, Near Post Office (1 km). (updated May 2015)

• Popular Woodlands Vegetarian, Near KSRTC (0 km). (updated May 2015)

• Pranam Restaurant, Junior College Road (1 km). (updated May 2015)

• Raintree Restaurants, 13/41, Pension Ln (Behind Town hall), ☏ +91 9741047001. Multi-cuisine fine dining restauarnt 

• Red Fern Restaurant, Near Omkareshwara Temple (1 km), ☏ 082722 29192NOCC. (updated May 2015)

• Shanthi Bites, Opp Nisargadam, B.M.Road Kushal Nagar, Coorg (26 kms), ☏ +91 9480674674. 10AM to 10AM. A variety of tasty dishes of south-north Indian, European, Chinese and Tibetan styles are available at Shanthi Bites. 

Drink

Most Hotels come with attached bars. There are several liquor shops attached throughout the city.

• Church side bar, Near Police station (1 km). (updated May 2015)
• West End Bar, Near KSRTC (0 km). (updated May 2015)

Sleep

Budget

• Hotel Fort View, Kohinoor Rd, (opposite State Bank of India). ☎ +91 8272 225266. Double deluxe room (with TV and non-attached bathroom/toilet) Rs 300-500.

• Home Stay-Alath Cad. A homestay with a small stream within its compound and an impressive coffee and pepper plantation. 

• Kaveri Lodge, Near Private Bus Stand (0.2 km). (updated May 2015)

• Madikeri Heritage, Near Bus Station (0 km). (updated May 2015)

• Popular Lodge, Opp. KSRTC. ., ☏ 221644NOCC. Rs. 500. (updated Apr 2015)

• Tourist Lodge, Mangalore Road, ☏ 08272 28782 22062NOCC. Rs. 800. (updated Apr 2015)

• Vinayaka Lodge, Near Bus Stand (0 km). (updated May 2015)

Mid Range

• Cauvery Nisarga Dhama (28 km from Madikeri and 3 km from Kushalnagar). Check-in: 12 noon, check-out: 11AM. Built upon an island with the river flowing around it. Peaceful ambience. Food not so great. You may need to shell out Rs 200 extra as a sign of goodwill. Rs 650. 

• Kedakal Estate, Kedakal Post, North Coorguntikoppa (Go past Suntikoppa for about 5 km towards Madikeri, it is on the left hand side), ☏ +91 89 71112410, +91 94 48284341. Check-in: noon, check-out: noon. A boutique homestay in a 1880s bungalow and nestled amongst a coffee plantation. A 4 bedroom bungalow of which 3 are dedicated to guests. Large pool, jacuzzi and quad bikes. 

• Kushal Home Stay (Near to Madikeri bus stand), ☏ +91 9341838605. Double room with TV approx Rs 1,500-2,500 (Prices vary with season). 

• Mercara Inn (near to Madikeri bus stand), ☏ +91 120 4666422. Double room with TV approx Rs 700 

• Raja Darshan, Near Raja Seat (2 km). (updated May 2015)

Splurge

• Windflower Resorts and Spa, Kedakkal, ☏ 08276 - 262500NOCC. THE WINDFLOWER RESORTS AND SPA Survey No. 201/P1, Kedakal Village, Suntikoppa Hobli, Somwarpet Taluk, Mercara, Kodagu District Phone : 08276 - 262500 Telefax : 08276 - 262777 Rs. 21,000. (updated May 2015)

Homestays

Homestays in Coorg

• Hidden Woods
• Coorg Jungle Side
• Chilipili Estate
• 4th Mile Inn Homestay
• Ajantha Homestay

Go next

• Chikmagalur

• Honnamana Kere - A religious site and tourist destination

• Mangalore

• Mysore.