A church in Madikeri

Virajpet town

Coorg Oranges!

Coorg orange grown in various coffee zones are prized in the market because of the following characteristics, namely attractive golden tinge, easiness to peel, high palatability, less seediness, perfect blend of acid and sweetness.


Pic:CC
Fact source:ineedcoffee.com

Thithimathi at dawn!

Photo- Ballachanda.S.Changappa

Marvelous Manchalli....

Manchalli, Kutta




Nobel writes " I spent a year of my early childhood in Manchalli. The breathtaking view of the hills, the serenity of the river, the old bridge that used to sway ( it was berfore the cement bridge was constructed) and the fireplace and mangoes during peak monsoon , the constant rains, the eerie silence of winter nights at times woken up by the howls of Jacakals and the hoots of owls, Gooseberries, view of cattle grazing.. it was heaven! Manchalli is second to none! unique and mystique!"

Iruppu

Photo
Ballachanda Utham Changappa.

Iruppu Falls is located in south Kodagu on the Brahmagiri range of hills. River Lakshmana-tirtha flows nearby. Legend says that Rama and Lakshmana, warrior Gods, passed this way while searching for Rama's concert, Sita. Rama asked Lakshmana to fetch some drinking water for him. Lakshmana shot an arrow into the Brahmagiri hills and brought into being river Lakshmanatirtha.

The river descends perpendicularly into a great cataract known as the Iruppu Falls. This place is believed to possess the power to cleanse one's sins and is visited by thousands of devotees from far and near on Shivaratri day. There is temple dedicated to Sri Ram, surrounded by paddy fields, from where it is a climb up to the falls through a forest. This place can be visited from Gonikopal on the way to Nagerhole National Park.

Source- Karnataka tourism

North Coorg Club

North Coorg Club was established in 1894. The club gives the feel of the bygone era of the British Raj. If you want to experience colonial Coorg all over again, visit NCC!

Top pic
Source- iexplore community

Interesting hedges in Kodagu

As you meander through Kodagu, trimmed hedges provide a beautiful spectacle to your eyes. To some planters, nicely trimmed hedges indicate a nicely kept kaapi thota!! True??


Chettalli

Chennayanakote.

Palandira Estate

Mythadi

Tata's, Polibetta.

Silver Oaks

Silver Oak (Grevillea Robusta) trees are used for shade. The tree branches protect the coffee plants from direct sun and provide shelter for migratory birds, insects and mammals. At the same time, the biomass contributes to the fertility of the land.
In addition to silver oak, there are hundreds of other trees like Teak, Jack, Rosewood, Champak, Orange, Ficus, Avocado, Cashew, Honne, Matthi, etc. in the coffee plantations of Kodagu.

Happy Tula Sankramana.

Kodava Anthem

Sri Mula kanniye,
(O primeval sacred maiden)
O Mother Kaveri,
Wear pommale* Kodagu as a garland, O Mother!

Why do you need a jommale**?
Why do you need a garland of flowers?
Wear the golden land of Kodagu as a garland, O Mother!

O sacred form of Parvati
O Lopamudra,
You descended to earth as a Brahmin’s daughter,
And to cleanse the sins
Of all the sinners
You flowed from the kundike*** to the Eastern sea.

To all the proud ones
You are merely flowing water.
But to the suffering, you are sorrow-relieving holy water.
Those without children
Those without family
And those weary with suffering, bless and care for them, O Mother!

– Nadikerianda Chinnappa


Cauvery, known as the Ganges of the south is one among the seven sacred rivers in the Hindu mythology. From ages it is believed that the devotees take a dip in the holy river to overcome their sins. On Tula Sankramana Day thousands visit the holy shrine to witness the Theerthodbhava of the River Goddess of Kodagu, at Talacauvery ( Atop Bramhagiri range of the western ghats.)

At the auspicious moment, the River Cauvery springs out from the ‘Bramhakundike.’ When there is a sudden upsurge of water in the ‘kundike’ the devoteen take a dip in the sacred pond 'Pushkarini'.


Source-CLN

Thoke Poo

THOK POOV (Gloriosa superba)-A flower unique to Coorg.

Thoke poo or Flame lilies are grown commercially for a chemical compound. They are used to treat intestinal worms, bruises, infertility, skin problem and impotence.Chemical research shows that all part of this plant, both above and below ground, are extremely poisonous and ingestion could be fatal.

Courtesy- Kuttappa Ittira

Cardamom(elakki)

Source- Sujatha's blog
http://blogpourri.blogspot.com/

No frills capital!

Chatrakere

Chettalli

Waterfalls cascading down the rocky cliff of mountains on the Siddapur-Chettalli road.

St.Anne's, Virajpet

Coffee and Pepper.

Drupe

After pollination of the coffee plant, a small green coffee berry appears called a drupe.

Pepper vine with immature peppercorns.

Kadga

Kodava Jewellery

Paputtu

Multi-faith worship in Kodagu..

As I was heading towards Thithimathi, I found a church, temple and mosque located close to each other. I think the exact location is Devarapura.I was quite surprised and happy all at once. The villagers seem to believe in communal harmony.Good going folks!


Church

Mosque

Temple

Ginger harbinger!

The once fertile paddy fields of Kodagu are now being depleted of its fertility through widespread ginger cultivation. The ginger cultivated land becomes unsuitable for the cultivation of paddy later. Apart from draining away of soil nutrients by the ginger crop which is a voracious feeder, disease causing organisms from ginger crop remain in the soil and infest the paddy crops in future.

Ginger cultivation is also responsible for environmental hazards like tree felling, soil erosion and destruction of the precious vegetation from the land. It is not only the wet lands that are subjected to misuse through ginger cultivation. The uncultivated virgin lands, which are rich in vegetation like medicinal plants and other rare species of plants, get denuded by the ginger growers. With the indiscriminate chopping down of trees and intensive shade lopping done to facilitate ginger crops, the land is cleared of all kinds of natural greenery, leaving behind only the stumps, shorn of foliage.
Another interesting point to be noted here is that most of the ginger growers who obtain agricultural land on lease for ginger cultivation are Keralites, because the Kerala government has banned the cultivation of ginger in several parts of the state.
It is high time that the government intervened in this matter in order the save the fertile soil of Kodagu. Intensive ginger cultivation must be banned and restrictions must be imposed against it so that we may not face scarcity of staple food in the coming days.
Source-CLN

Large-scale use of paddy fields to grow ginger can have disastrous consequences on the water-table, says C.G. Kushalappa, Associate Professor, College of Forestry.
Source-Hindu

Baimbale

Baimbale curry is made from tender bamboo shoots.

Nooputtu

While I could write a whole book on the joys of Coorg life, the best thing about going to my mother's home is to eat.I live in a grand city of culinary greatness. I have learnt many cuisines. Nothing can beat the taste of 'ottis and puttus' my mom makes:)

Kakotuparambu

A semispherical hill at Kakotuparambu

Kode kumm

Ever tasted Kumm(mushrooms)curry?

Did you know?

Kodumpuli (Garcinia cambogia)

Kachumpuli gives a distinctive sour flavor to Kodava cuisine. It is used as a substitute for tamarind and lime. It is an effective herbal alternate for controlling obesity and cholesterol.The extract helps in suppressing appetite. It may have gastric ulcer protecting properties also.

Do you know how Kachumpuli is made?

Pic-Flickr
Info-Internet

Meen market!

Ellithra meen market?
Can you tell?

Lone tusker

We started our journey in the evening (WRONG DECISION). Everything was serene and calm as we approached Kodagu. Suddenly a huge lone tusker came out from the forest. He appeared slightly perturbed and stared at the vehicle. We were nervous when we heard the tusker trumpeting rather ferociously. This continued for a good 5 minutes. Then the elephant casually walked towards the jungle and vanished.

That was our first encounter with a wild animal and we were thrilled!

We salute you soldier!

A Massive storm cloud looms over the statue of General K.S. Thimmaiah.

Kodagu Mysore Road!

We gave these greedy monkeys Poobale and they happily gobbled it down!

Mukkali

Praying Mantis in our garden, Kodagu...

Is this insect called Pache pukka in kodava thakk?? :)
I was excited to find this Praying Mantis in our garden. The Praying mantis appeared calm and composed, and posed for the camera like a pro. I told grandma "Don’t kill them Thayi. They are good for your garden. They are natural pest controllers.” Thayi (believes in Ahimsa) was pleased to hear that.

Thatha called the Praying mantis 'Pache Pukka'!

Goodies!

Baduva Kajaya
Chikkulunde
Kokkethathi puttu :)!!!
(Dunno what to call it)

Green fields!

Farm workers in the paddy fields(kale edpo)


After living in a concrete jungle for years, I can't convey the rejuvenation I feel when I go back to Kodagu. The sight of green fields enliven me. As a child I was simply drawn to those fields but as an urbanite I am more appreciative of the greenery.

Those wide-open spaces with green geometric rows are etched in my mind.When I meditate, I picture it!

Jamnerale panne!

When was the last time you ate this fruit?

Madikeri

How can you ignore the pothole in the heart of Madikeri?
Rain rain go away
Fresh paint come my way!!