Kodagu, Karnataka Tourism and Attractions

About Kodagu / Coorg, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

This page Kodagu Karnataka Tourism and Attractions gives the details about the Important tourist places in coorg bhagamandala, Harangi Backwaters, Madikeri sight seeing, Nagarhole National Park, Nisargadhama Tourist places and Nisargadhama tour and Talacauvery temple and sight seeing including weather and climate of Kodagu in Karnataka.

Kodagu Tour

The scenic splendor of the Western Ghats with undulating meadows and hills was called as Coorg or the Scotland of India. The region is famous for coffee estates and orange orchards plantation.

Tourist places Around Kodagu

Bhagamandala Tourism

Bhagamandala is a special place in Karnataka for the union of rivers. This place is situated at the distance of 38km from Medikeri. A small town to the west of medikeri , where the sacred river Cauvery and its tributary Kannike meet. This Sangam is considered sacred and draws many pilgrims and visitors. Near the confluence is the Bhagandeshwara Shivan temple which has a peculiar style of architecture similar to the temple of Kerala.

Harangi Backwaters

This place is situated at the distance of 30km from Hunsur. A pretty reservoir close to Kushalnagar recently constructed here attracts more visitors. Harangi Backwaters is an ideal picnic spot or for week end gate way. The highest point provides a breathtaking view of the vast water area below.

Madikeri Tourist Places

Madikeri the most beautiful hill station of Karnataka is located at the distance of 254km from Bangalore. Standing at a height of about 1524 metres elevation in rich green trap of the Western Ghats, Medikeri is rich scenes of enchanting loveliness. One can have a glimpse of the Arabian Sea from its peak. The 19th century fort has several old buildings, a temple and a chapel, some of which are mow converted as museums. Two lives- like elephants made out of mortar stand in their beautiful garden which presents an enchanting view of the valleys to Shiva with two sacred ponds on one side. On the outskirts are the massive strictures. A little away from Madikeri are two water falls which are situated in very picturesque surrounding. Abbey water falls and oruppu water falls enhance the beauty of Madikeri.

Nagarhole National Park

Nagarhole National Park the popular tourist spot of KarnatakaThis place is situated 42km from Hunsur. A famous wild life sanctuary very well maintained with excellent forest lodge. This place gives an opportunity to the visitors to see wild life of all kinds varying from majestic elephants to bison, deer and jackal moving about within their own natural setting. Jeep and elephant rides are available for jungle safari.
Nagarhole National Park timings: 9:00 am- 5:30 pm
Nagarhole National Park safari Timings: 10:00 am- 2:30 pm

Nisargadhama Tour

On the state highway, from Madikeri to Kushalnagar at a distance of 3km are few islets on the river Cauvery. The cluster of huts built of wood and bamboo, this resort blend with the thick forest around. It is a popular resort frequented by many tourists.
Nisargadhama Entry Fee: Entry Fee: Rs 10, Rs 5 for kids
Nisargadhama timings: 9:00 am- 5:30 pm

Talacauvery Karnataka Tour

This holy place of Karnataka is located at the distance of 40km from Medikeri. This is the birth place of the sacred river Cauvery, situated on the slopes of the Brahmagiri hills. The Tula Sankramana is regarded as the most auspicious day by the people of Kodagu for visiting this place. There is a small pond which is the source of the river. One can see the water gushing out at a prescribed moment known beforehand.
Talacauvery Temple: Omkareshwara temple, a popular pilgrim destination.
Talacauvery Temple timings: 6:00 am- 8:30 pm

source: http://www.karnatakaspider.com / Author: Kavitha / Posted November 29th, 2011

Madikeri Fort / Madikeri Palace

About Kodagu / Coorg, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Madikeri Fort / Madikeri Palace

Madikeri Fort was first built as a mud fort by Mudduraja at the end of 17th century. He also built a palace inside the fort. It was eventually rebuilt in granite by Tipu Sultan who later named the site as Jaffarabad.

The Madikeri fort had witnessed several fierce battles. In 1700, Doddavira Rajendra took control of the fort. The Palace was renovated by Lingarajendra Wodeyar II in 1812-1814.

The fort encompasses a church which houses the state archaeological museum, and in 1812, when the British took over the territory the fort, the palace and its apartments were all transformed into district offices. Two magnificent mortar elephant figures can also be seen inside the fort. The palace features a stone formation of a tortoise, which has initials of King Vijayarajendra engraved on it.

The palace is built in gothic style, and the church inside is known as the St. Mark’s Church which has been converted into a museum with historical artifacts, along with a section dedicated to Field Marshal Cariappa. Besides museum, this fort also houses a district prison, the Kote Mahaganapathi Temple and the Mahatma Gandhi Public Library.

source: http://www.folksden.com / Karnataka

Designer Arati Monappa’s 10 rules of style for homes

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Uncategorized, , , , , , ,


Arati Monappa, designer and owner of Serenity reveals her 10 rules of style.

1. There are two categories of people who have antiques — those who have inherited them and those who buy them because they are genuinely interested and have read up about them. It’s important to keep a piece from the past, that has been handed down from generation to generation. Especially because, antiques today are so expensive. So, if you’ve inherited any antique, keep it.

2. There are so many ways you can put your heirlooms to use. For instance, if you have a very old pashmina shawl, one that’s not good to be used by you, you may use it as a drape over your sofa. It enhances the furniture piece and two, becomes a talking point.

3. Antique pieces blend very easily into today’s modern homes. You may have a technology driven home, stocked with plasma TVs and other hi-tech gadgets and still add antique pieces like old copper or brass lamps or wood carvings. These pieces give character and personality to an otherwise stainless steel, shiny, impersonal house.

4. Talking about care for copper pieces, I use a powder called Pitambari. You just rub the powder over the item to make it gleam. There are more solid means of preserving these pieces too, like applying a coat of lacquer. For old wooden pieces, you may apply a coat of MRF’s wood coat polish. Or you may simply use a brush to remove the dust and rub linseed oil on it.

5.Antiques are undervalued. I see people throwing out items like old copper pots or beautifully woven baskets and replacing them with plastic mugs and plastic bags. There is a need for a certain education about the value of the old heirlooms. Not because of their value, but mainly because, plastic can’t be recycled and is not good for the environment. By buying plastic, you are adding to the junk.

6. There are quite a few old valuables that young couples interested in doing up their homes could buy. They could go for a lovely ceramic pottery piece or pick up old lamps. An old lamp in the corner is enough to add character to the living room. Old textiles are another option. For instance, your grandmother’s old woven sari could make for a beautiful framed piece of art, in the hall.

7. My store Serenity, is a good example of how you can bring the old into the new. We’ve re-used old glass panes, doors and grills for the interiors. So, even if its a modern five- year-oldbuilding, it’s got all these old elements like granite pillars, attangadi tiles for the floor, old mirrors and more.

8. Bangalore has quite a few places where you could go hunting for antiques. There’s Thar Gallery in Indiranagar. I believe Raintree carries a range of old furniture. Then of course, you have Russell Market, where you still have little shops where you can pick up an interesting salvaged piece.

9. I like to spend money on carpets and artworks. I think these two are very important in a home and add a whole new character to it. A painting doesn’t have to be expensive. It could also mean indigenous art like a mithila, madhubani or warli art.

10. I am very fond of carpets for the intricacy of their weaves. I am partial to porcelain and ceramic too. I like my teacups and teapots!

source: http://www.dnaindia.com / Home> Lifestyle> Report / by Mahalakshmi Prabhakaran / Place:Bangalore, Agency:DNA / Thursday, December 01st, 2011

Nikhil Chinappa’s magical night in Bangalore

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, , , , , , , ,

The weekend started with a bang for all the revellers who stepped out into the nippy Bangalore evening, dressed in their best for a night on the town.

Nikhil Chinappa took over the console at Bling, The Zuri Whitefield, weaving his magic over all the people who thronged the nightclub and tripped non-stop on some funky commercial numbers.

As it was a ladies’ night, the girls were given complimentary vodka shots, which went down very well! BT spotted Rohit Barker, Tuhin Mehta and Priti Chand, among others thoroughly enjoying the evening.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Parties> Bangalore> Home> Collection / TNN / November 27th, 2011

Art Phillips Exits Welk Music/Vanguard

Arts, Culture & Entertainment


On The Loose

After an 11-year run, ART PHILLIPS has exited the WELK MUSIC GROUP — which includes VANGUARD AND SUGAR HILL RECORD — as VP/Promotion & Artist Development. Several others have also exited the company due to downsizing.

KEVIN WELK, President of the WELK MUSIC GROUP said, “It has been an honor to work with ART over the years as he has been a large part of our success at VANGUARD and SUGAR HILL RECORDS with artists such as NICKLE CREEK, JOHN HIATT, MATT NATHANSON and MINDY SMITH, amongst others. We all will miss his insight and professionalism that we have come so accustomed to over the years.”

“It has been my great pleasure to have been part of WELK MUSIC GROUP’s promotion team for the past 11 years. I’ve been fortunate to work with some of the greatest, most talented people in the business” PHILLIPS said. “We have all been working through the great upheavals rocking the industry for some time now, and change may be the only common denominator we can expect. To have had 36 amazing years in this biz may just be my best record yet!”

PHILLIPS’ career includes MD/Air Personality at KILO/COLORADO SPRINGS for eight years; seven years as Album Network Music Director; five years as VP Promotion at Hollywood Records; five years as VP Promotion at RCA Records and his stint at WELK.
PHILLIPS is ready for next opportunity and can be reached at (310) 614-2404, or at Arthur.Boxman@gmail.com.

Meanwhile, AYAPPA BIDDANDA, Director of Radio Promotion, will fulfill any needs of Triple A radio in addition to his current responsibilities at WELK for the foreseeable future. He can be reached at (310) 829-9355 ext.157 or ayappa@vanguardrecords.com.

source: http://www.allaccess.com / November 29th, 2011

Talacauvery

About Kodagu / Coorg, Arts, Culture & Entertainment

About 48 kms from Madikeri, in the ranges of Kodanda, this spot is where the holy river Cauvery has her founts. The legend has it that Lopamudra, the daughter of Lord Brahma, the creator, was given in marriage to the mythical sage Agasthya, by her foster fathers, another mythical sage, Kabhir Muni. Sorrowed by the marriage, Lopamudra turned herself into water and sought asylum in the ‘Kunda’ or the mountain cauldron. It is believed by the faithful that she dwells in the ‘Kunda’ in which an amazing phenomenon occurs on the 17th of October every year without fail. The placid waters of the pond turn vibrant in the form of a bubbling spring on the day, bearing testimony to the belief. There is also a larger pool nearby in which a dip is considered sacred.

A flight of rock cut steps meanders up the sacred Brahmagiri Hill, on the top of which a beautiful temple is dedicated to Goddess Cauvery where the Goddess is worshipped with alacrity. This region also has puranic references. The ‘Pandava Brothers’ of the great epic ‘The Mahabharatha’ are said to have sojourned here. The hill offers a wonderful view of sylvan beauty.

source: http://www.folksden.com / November 28th, 2011

Bopanna confirms Bhupathi as partner for 2012

Sports

Rohan Bopanna has confirmed that he will be teaming up with Mahesh Bhupathi for 2012 season, which effectively means his successful partnership with Pakistan’s Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi has come to an end.

Leander Paes, who teamed up with Bhupathi — India’s most successful doubles pair — last season after a gap of nine years will have to find a new partner for the next season.

“As the season has ended now, I can confirm that I am playing with Mahesh (Bhupathi) in 2012,” Bopanna told The Indian Express on Sunday.

The Chennai Open, where Paes and Bhupathi had made a comeback last season, will be the tournament where Bopanna and Bhupathi will first play in 2012. “We have decided that our first tournament will be at Chennai where we will have great home support,” Bopanna confirmed.

However, the 31-year-old said that it was too early to say if he and Mahesh would be the first-choice combination India would field at the Olympics. Bopanna was also non-committal about their long-term plans. “As of now we have decided to start the year together. The Olympics have a lot of other technicalities (form, rankings) and we will see how it goes,” he said.

Bopanna also didn’t want to elaborate on the end of the successful Indo-Pak pairing, which won three titles this year and entered the final of the 2010 US Open. Meanwhile, Qureshi has announced that he will partner Dutch Jean-Julien Roger, ranked 20th in doubles, for the Australian Open. “Who I want to play with is my decision. I don’t think I owe anyone a justification of why I am deciding to partner someone or give explanations behind the thought for this partnership. Yes, I did have a successful year with Aisam but now I am starting a new year with Mahesh, and it’s as simple as that,” Bopanna said.

source: http://www.indianexpress.com / by Smriti Sinha /Monday, Nov 28th, 2011

New President for ‘Coorg Homestay Association’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders

Mysore, Nov. 26:

The 6th Annual General Body meeting of Coorg Home Stays Association was held on Nov. 22 at Porcupine Castle in Pollibetta, Kodagu.

Outgoing President N. Dilip Chengappa handed over charge to the new President K.M. Karumbaiah and his team.

The other office-bearers are Vice-President: B. Nalini Achaiah; Secretary : P.U. Preetham; Joint Secretary: C. Savitha Appanna; Treasurer : D.S. Prem. The Committee Members are: P.M. Prabhu Uthaya, C. Madan Somanna, Shamvil, C. Kalpana Muthanna, C.N. Narendra, B. Vijoo Chengappa, K.T.Sagar and P. Hem Madappa.

Outgoing Secretary Madan Somanna read out the Annual Report. The AGM discussed issues pertaining to Unregistered Home Stays, Tax and floating of a State-level Home Stay Association.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / General News / November 26th, 2011

Prof. K.C.Belliappa is CAUVERY EDUCATION COUNCIL Chairman

Education, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders

Mysore, Nov. 26:

The Education Council of Sree Cauvery Educational Institutions, Kuve-mpunagar, has been reconstituted with Prof. Kambeyanda C. Belliappa, Retired Vice-Chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi Central University, as Chairman.

The other officer-bearers are Moovera K. Kuttappa, Vice-Chairman, Bollachanda B. Subbaiah-Hon. Secretary and Kodira Jyothi Poonacha-Hon. Treasurer.

Prof. Theethira K. Ganapathy, Prof. Cheniyapanda Accamma Chengappa, Prof. Nadikerianda Yashoda Kalappa, Prof. Pandanda K. Somaiah, Ponjanda Lovely Appaiah, Poyyetira S. Ganapathy, Mullengada M. Kuttappa, Mechanda M. Karumbaiah, Puchimada K. Somaiah and Konganda Dilip Biddappa have been nominated as members of Educational Council.

Ballachanda N. Devaiah will continue as Donor Representative in the Education Council, according to press release from the Hon. Secretary of Mysore Kodava Samaja Kekada M. Belliappa.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / General News / November 26th, 2011

Tribal Families get a new lease of life

Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Uncategorized

Centre’s programme to rehabilitate tribals bears fruit

Caption: A view of the houses for the rehabilitation of tribals in Hunsur taluk. Picture right shows rich harvest of maize grown by the tribals.

Mysore, Nov. 27- The tribals of Nagarahole forest region, who depended on the forest produce for their livelihood and did odd jobs in the neighbouring plantations, are now gradually becoming self-dependent through agriculture, thanks to the rehabilitation work undertaken by the Central Government, under the directions of the Supreme Court.

More than 150 tribal families have benefited from this programme as they have been resettled in Shettihalli and Lakkapattana villages near Hanagodu of Hunsur taluk since Nov. 15, 2010. The tribal settlements have Jenukuruba (a tribal community) families from Kodagu district and H.D. Kote taluk.

Each family was given 3 acres of barren land where tribals have reaped a rich harvest of maize. On an average, each family has five members and hence, labour is no problem since they work at each other’s fields in a sort of barter system, traditionally called as Muyyi-Aalu system.

Each family is said to have grown 80 to 90 quintals of maize — enough to keep for own consumption and to sell. In order to encourage tribals to take up farming, Forest Department provided tractors to plough the fields and the Agriculture Department provided them with seeds, manure and other inputs.

The tribals depend on plantations for work, where they are paid good wages, especially during harvest seasons.

After reaping a rich harvest of maize, the tribals have already begun preparations for next crop. Agriculture Department officials are said to have advised them to take up mixed farming of crops like millets, beans, pulses etc.

Rajappa, leader of the tribals, is a Gram Panchayat member of Balele village in Kodagu. He is said to have played the main role in rehabilitating the tribals, with assistance from Living Inspiration For Tribals (LIFT).

The tribals are also growing vegetables for their consumption in their kitchen gardens. Their houses constructed by the government measure 50×80 ft, with RCC roofs, tiles floor, toilets, solar lighting and other amenities.

Talks are on to provide them with LPG cylinders for cooking and issue them ration cards under Public Distribution System.

About the rehabilitation

The new rehabilitation package for tribal communities and forest dwellers inside the Nagarahole National Park was launched in a bid to not only reduce human presence in critical wildlife habitat but also to meet the demands of tribal people.

The package is an offshoot of meeting the imperatives of Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, as well as balancing the requirements under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act of 2006, which stipulates that rights of Scheduled Tribes people and other traditional forest dwellers within critical tiger and wildlife habitat areas are not compromised.

The package ensures tribal rights with a few modifications and ensures space for tigers and other wild animals inside the National Park

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / General News / November 27th, 2011