Karnataka Tourism » Coorg Tourism » Madikeri (Mercara)
Madikeri (Mercara) Tourism
Madikeri or Mercara is the largest town and Capital of Coorg or Kodagu District. This town lies in Western Ghats and population of 32,286. Madikeri is one of the Popular Tourist attracting Hill Station in India. Thousands of Tourists coming here to enjoy the Holidays. This town stand in 1,452 meters above sea level. Many Resorts and guest houses situated in town and near to town. Kodava takk, Arebhase, Kannada, Byari, tulu are the main languages of Madikeri. Kodavas and Arebhase Gowdas are the main ethnic groups in Madikeri. Main Festivals of Madikeri is Dasara, Kaveri Sankramana, Kailpoldua and Puttari. Madikeri is the hill station attracting thousands of tourists including foreign tourist because of natural beauty of this town. Mountain ranges are attracting tourists in this town. Madikeri also called as Misty Madikeri. Golf Ground is another attraction, its beautiful to see with greenery landscapes every day golf players coming here and playing golf (Recently Publics and Tourists not allowed inside golf Ground). Abbey Falls also just 6 km from Madikeri.
Madikeri is ruled by many dynasties, they are Kadambas, Gangas, Cholas, Vijayanagara dynasty, Haleri Kings, Palayas. From 1934 Coorg or Kodagu became the part of British India and Finally in 1947 India gained independence.
Places to visit in Madikeri
- Madikeri Fort: This Fort is built by Mudduraja and rebuilt by Tippu Sultan by stone It Built on high grounds with a unique blend of traditional and modern styles of architecture.. At the entrance of the palace stand beautifully sculptured horses holding up the balcony on the entrance wall. There are Two life size Elephants, and also houses a Ganesha Temple. Gothic Style Church inside the fort which has been converted to Musuem that display several royal antiques like weapons, idols, canons, stone carving etc. The Madikeri Fort is home to Deputy Commisioner office and other departments working in this fort.
- Gadige: Also called as Gadduge, Gadige means Raja’s Tomb. Situated on an elelvated plane, the place offers a bird's eye view of Madikeri. There are three Tombs with domes in Islamic style and minarets with gold coating built in Indo Sarsentic style. The central tomb, larger and more ornate than the other two on its either sides is a memorial on the graves of Lingarajendra and of Rudrappa, Guru to Vrarajendra.
- Raja seat: The Garden with small mantapa with four pillars and arches. This is the Old Garden where the king enjoyed the garden with the sunset. Actually this Garden situated in top of the mountain of Madikeri town, You can see the great green valleys and mountain ranges View.and also can see Mangalore to Madikeri road between the mountains with running vehicles. To the left of Raja’s seat stands the ancient temple ‘Choudi Mariamma’. A furlong away stands the ‘Gandhi Mantap’ with the bust of ‘Mahatma Gandhi’ built in memory of Gandiji’s visit to Madikeri during the freedom struggle.
- Omkareshwara Temple: This Temple built in 1820 by Lingarajendra. This Temple belongs to God Shiva, the Temple is a quaint mix of Islamic and Gothic styles of architecture. There is large holy pond with thousands of fishes in the front of the Omkareshwara Temple. This is one of the best attractions in Madikeri Town.
Climate of Madikeri
Monsoon temperature decreases in June and weather becomes pleasant. May to September is rainy season and town covered in mist. December to February temperature drops into 8°C and is the coldest season in Madikeri.
How to reach Madikeri
Madikeri has Government and Private Bus Stations. Some of the State Highways are connecting and crossing through Madikeri. Madikeri is 120 km from Mysore, 136 km from Mangalore, 252 km from Bangalore. 115 km from Hassan and 114 km from Cannanore of Kerala state.
Madikeri Does not have a Railway station and Airport. Nearest railway stations are Mysore, Hassan, Cannanore. Nearest Airport is Mysore, Mangalore, Calicut of Kerala.
Where to Stay
Resorts, Hotels, Guest Houses, Home stays are in many numbers with great facility and services. Some of the Major Hotels and Resorts are Club Mahindra, Coorg International, Heritage Resort.