Text by: Tanya Munshi
Madikeri Fort: Originally made in mud, the 110 feet long Madikeri Fort was re-built in stone (with secret underground passages) by Tipu Sultan. Much later Lingarajendra Wodeyar II reconstructed this two-storied fort with brick and mortar between 1812 - 1817. Now the District Collector’s Office, this palace has a stone formation of a tortoise with the initials of King Vijayarajendra and two life size stone replicas of the royal elephants killed by King Veera Raja. In 1855, the British built a Gothic styled Anglican St. Mark's Church which has now been converted into a museum. After a couple of facelifts a Clock Tower and a portico were added by the British in 1933.
Now under the Archeological department, this church turned museum is home to some of the historical artifacts and a section dedicated to Field Martial Cariappa. Other areas of interest within the fort premises are the district prison, the Kote Maha Ganapathi temple and the Mahatma Gandhi Public Library. The Kote Maha Ganapathi temple is also one of the main temples in Coorg which competes during the Madikeri Dussera Festival.
Raja's Seat: Located at a vantage point in town, Raja’s Seat is a very popular stop in Madikeri. Set on the western edge of Madikeri, people throng the place to catch the sunset view. The sun going down against the backdrop of distant hill ranges is a sight to behold. View of the Coorg Valley with paddy fields and forests between Raja's Seat and the distant ranges add to the picturesque setting. Apart from the breathtaking view of the valley, Raja's Seat also gives you a brilliant view of the road leading to the coastal city of Mangalore. Raja's Seat is essentially a well maintained garden with attractions like a small pavilion and a toy train. According to local folklore, the kings of Kodagu spent their evenings here. We'd also recommend a walk towards the Karnataka Tourism hotel further up. It is a lovely walk along some of the higher reaches in town.
Omkareshwara Temple: It is located in the heart of Madikeri town. The Omkareshwara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva was built in 1820 by Lingarajendra Wodeyar II to ward off evil caused by Brahma Rakshasha. Legend has it that Lingarajendra killed an honest and pious Brahmin to fulfill his political ambitions. The Brahmin came back as 'Brahmarakshasa' to haunt the king. To ward off the evil spirit, a temple was constructed by Wodeyar. A huge tank in front of the temple is an attractive feature of the complex. The main temple structure is unique as it is a blend of Gothic and Islamic architectural styles. Just like a dargah, this temple has four minarets and a dome in the centre with a Shivling installed at the entrance, where the Shivling is reported to be brought from Kashi. The history of the temple has been engraved on a copper plate which has been installed at the entrance.
Abbey Falls: Just 8 kms from Madikeri, Abbey Falls is a very popular tourist spot. A steep climb from town leads visitors to this pretty falls tucked within plantations. The final walk to the location through lots of trees sets one up for the final view. Cascading from a 70 feet drop, this waterfall leads up to a pool through coffee and cardamom plantations. You can access Abbey Falls through private coffee estates. The strength of this waterfall is more during the monsoons as compared to summers. You can walk on the hanging bridge to get a closer view of the falls. The water gushing down creates a roaring sound and the mist rising out is quite breathtaking. During summers and winters visitors can sit on the rocks below the falls with feet in the water and the view of the waterfalls in front. A delightful experience indeed! A trip to Abbey Falls during monsoons and winters is ideal. Care should be taken especially during monsoons as it can get slippery while walking around the area.
Thadiyandamol: One of the highest peaks in the Western Ghats, Thadiyandamol stands at a height of 1,747 meters and is ideal for experienced trekkers. You can access its peak with an 8 km drive from Kakkabe, located at a distance of 35 kms from Madikeri. Though you can access two-thirds of the route by jeep, but the final climb is quite difficult yet rewarding with the beautiful view from top. In the lead up to the top, trekkers usually take a break at Nalaknad Palace. Built in 1792, Nalaknad Palace was one of the final safe havens for the last King of Kodagu, while he was escaping from the British. Though not easily accessible, this two-storey building serves as a base for the campers to catch their breath and spend a night of rest before scaling the narrow and steep path to the peak of Thadiyandamol. Presently under the Archeological department, the Nalaknand Palace also houses a bee-keeping centre.
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