Tag Archives: Kodagu District

A forest, a private lake, in-resort helipad and 71 villas: Inside Coorg’s new luxury sanctuary

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Set across 76 acres of lush Coorg forest, The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary brings together secluded luxury villas, immersive nature trails, local cuisine and expansive wellness experiences. From private pools and heritage coffee rituals to birdwatching and the Aujasya spa, this is Coorg designed for slowing down in style.

At the Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary, bamboo-canopied architecture and laterite stone come together to embellish the 71 secluded luxury villas, each of which offer a distinct experience

Nestled in a 76-acre estate in the heart of Coorg, The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary marks a new foray for one of India’s finest hospitality brands. From verdant landscapes and nature trails, local flavours, curated wellness programs and astounding birdlife, Leela’s first wellness-anchored forest sanctuary allows you to truly immerse yourself in the best of Coorg.

Secluded luxury villas

Bamboo-canopied architecture and laterite stone come together to embellish the 71 secluded luxury villas, each of which offer a distinct experience. The Presidential Villa is an abode in itself with easy access to the in-resort helipad. It combines four villas with a drawing room that will transport you to a colonial-era, planters club replete with leather sofas and dark wood.

The large private kitchen at the villa can be manned by one of Leela’s chefs or your own personal Chef. The accommodation also includes a large private pool with a poolside bar and a dedicated gym. Villa options include the massive 3,200 sq. ft.

The Forestlight Villa includes a stunning outdoor lounge, and a temperature-controlled pool with twin massage beds on the deck. There’s also the Mistwood Villa which features two large indoor spaces, a private pool with a deck and a jacuzzi.

For your taste buds

Zen, Leela’s signature Pan Asian restaurant, plays out in a new setting. Located over a shimmering water body, this outdoor paradise offers a choice of private gazebos that overlook acres of green landscapes. The menu includes Zen’s signature sushi rolls and dim sums with a cocktail program that incorporates local ingredients. Some of these ingredients also play out in the cocktail program at The Cellar, the resort’s cosy bar that’s tucked away under the all-day diner. Do check out the bar’s signature cocktail, the Kachampuli Highball with a tangy Coorg slant.

The Presidential Villa at the Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary is an abode in itself with easy access to the in-resort helipad

Luma, the all-day diner, offers some of the best views of the private lake within the resort. Ask for the chef’s specially curated local menu where emblematic dishes like the pandi (pork) curry and ingredients like bamboo shoot are usually in the mix. I’d also recommend a signature heritage coffee curation experience at 92 degrees, the resort’s dedicated coffee lounge that allows you to get up close with Coorg’s coffee heritage. You will be tempted to take advantage of the resort’s elaborate in-room dining menu that blends the best of Asian, European and Indian flavours.

Rejuvenate, relax in luxury

The 27,000 sq. ft. Aujasya by The Leela Spa is one of the biggest in any luxury resort in India. With 25 treatment rooms spread over multiple levels, it’s easy to find your zen space. The spa offers a hammam and treatments from across the world. You can also opt for the in-villa spa experience. The large Vinyasa deck on the edge of the lake offers yoga and pranayama sessions. There are a host of activities, including kayaking on the private lake, that truly let you unwind.

The 27,000 sq. ft. Aujasya by The Leela Spa is one of the biggest in any luxury resort in India

Trails, at your doorstep 

The best trails begin at your doorstep. Sign up for one of the nature walks that are worth waking up early for. The resort is a hub for Coorg’s fabled birdlife. It’s not unusual to spot at least 25 species of birds during the space of a 90-minute walk through the resort. Look out for woodpeckers and hornbills as well as the Giant Malabar Squirrel (one of the world’s largest squirrels) as it leaps from one tree to the next. Coorg’s popular attractions like Talacauvery (where the Cauvery river originates) and Abbey Falls are easily accessible from the resort. Do make time to visit Namdroling Nyinmape, a Tibetan monastery in Bylakuppe (45 minutes from the resort) that is home of one India’s largest Tibetan communities.

Plan your stay

The resort is about six hours from the Bengaluru International Airport. The Kannur International Airport is three hours away. You could combine your trip to the resort with a pit-stop in Mysore (three hours away). The in-resort helipad also allows you to arrive on a chartered helicopter service.

Flaunt insider tip

If you’re planning a romantic break, do book the Forestlight Villa with an intimate bedroom, a large outdoor lounge and outdoor showers.

source: http://www.firstpost.com / First Post / Home> First Post Flaunt> Travel / by Ashwin Rajagopalan / August 26th, 2026

Biota Coorg brews global strategy, with Australia on the map

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Image Source: Biota Coorg

From the misty slopes of Kodagu to the boutique cafés of Melbourne, India’s specialty coffee is preparing to make another leap across continents. Biota Coorg Farmer Producer Company Ltd, a collective of 122 small and medium coffee growers in Karnataka’s famed coffee belt, is setting its sights on the Australian market in a bold move to expand its export footprint, boost value addition, and deepen its identity as a producer of traceable, sustainable, and high-quality beans.

Australia, with its sophisticated café culture, artisanal roasters, and rising consumer awareness of origin-based coffees, represents fertile ground for Biota’s next phase of international growth. The collective, headquartered in India’s largest coffee-producing district, has built a model that is part agricultural co-op, part ethical brand-builder. It assists its grower-members in post-harvest processing, collective marketing, and navigating international trade—functions that are traditionally out of reach for smallholder farmers operating independently. The result is a more stable income, higher returns per bean, and a stronger voice in the global value chain.

Biota’s ambition to enter the Australian market aligns with a broader shift in Indian coffee exports, which rose 19 per cent year-on-year in Q1 FY25, signaling sustained global demand for premium Indian arabicas and robustas. The group already sells to several countries including the United States, Canada, Germany, France, and Portugal, and exported around 80 tonnes last year, with a goal of surpassing 100 tonnes in the current fiscal. But beyond volume, Biota’s deeper play lies in branding and sustainability—two pillars increasingly shaping the premium coffee market worldwide.

Sustainability is not just a marketing veneer for Biota—it is embedded in its production ethos. Half of its member farms are already Rainforest Alliance certified, and the remainder are undergoing certification. The group has also positioned itself to comply with the upcoming European Union Deforestation Regulation, which will require rigorous traceability of agricultural imports into the EU. This compliance-readiness not only secures existing export channels but builds a strong foundation for expansion into regulation-conscious markets like Australia.

The push into Australia also reflects Biota’s evolution from being a commodity supplier to a brand-builder. With the global coffee industry undergoing a structural shift—from commodity to craft, from anonymity to traceability—Biota is working to develop its own identity that reflects the terroir of Kodagu, its ecological richness, and the collective power of its farmer members. Kodagu’s biodiversity, rainfall, and shaded agroforestry systems give its coffees a unique profile that resonates with discerning global consumers seeking both quality and ethical production.

Australia’s coffee culture, which prizes direct sourcing, sustainable partnerships, and taste-driven narratives, could prove a natural next step for Biota. The group is seeking to hold virtual cupping sessions with Australian roasters, and is actively pursuing connections with distributors, retailers, and promotional platforms in the region. The potential payoff is more than market access—it’s the chance to embed a South Indian cooperative directly into the fabric of a global specialty coffee community.

Biota’s strategy mirrors the broader ambition of India’s agricultural collectives: to shift from being price takers to value creators, from invisible nodes in a global chain to recognised origin brands. With a focus on certification, traceability, and producer empowerment, the Kodagu-based FPC offers a blueprint for how Indian agri-cooperatives can rewrite their roles in global trade—not by scaling up indiscriminately, but by scaling smart, sustainable, and strategic.

As India’s coffee exports find new momentum and global buyers seek transparent, climate-friendly sourcing, Biota’s bid to enter Australia is not just a market expansion—it’s a recalibration of how Indian coffee tells its story to the world.

source: http://www.biotacoorg.com/ Biota Coorg / Home> Value Chain> News / by Agro Spectrum / July 11th, 2025

SCA announces board of directors candidates

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Sunalini Menon started working for the Coffee Board of India in 1971. Image CoffeeLab

The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) has announced the candidates for its latest SCA Board of Directors Elections.

Following nominations and then interviews with the SCA Nominations Committee, Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and CEO of DMCC; Sunalini N. Menon, President of Coffeelab Limited; and Karsten Ranitzsch, Global Head of Coffee at Nestle Nespresso S.A have been shortlisted.

From 1 to 30 September, a Nominations by Petition period will commence. Applicants not selected through the nominations and interview process who collect at least 100 signatures from SCA professional members or the primary contact of a company member can be added to the final ballot by petition.

The final ballot will be announced on 13 October. SCA members will be invited to vote for the new director from 1 to 30 November, with the result of the election to be announced on 15 December.

The SCA Board of Directors consists of 15 volunteer members, supported by CEO Yannis Apostolopouloss and the SCA staff. According to the organisation, the board supports the work of the SCA and provides mission-based leadership and strategic governance.

The SCA is the world’s largest coffee trade association. It was established in 2017 with the merger of the Specialty Coffee Association of America and the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe.

source : http://www.gcmag.com / Global Coffee Report / Home> News / by Kathryn Lewis / August 28th, 2026

Thekkada Bhavani from Kodagu wins silver medal in cross-country skiing in New Zealand

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While the main event spans 42 km, the 21 km race offered Bhavani a strategic platform to venture into long-distance racing and ski-marathon formats.

Madikeri :

In a notable achievement for Indian winter sports, Thekkada Bhavani from Kodagu has secured a silver medal at the Merino Muster cross-country skiing event held at Snow Farm in New Zealand.

Competing in the Women’s 30s age category for the 21 km race on August 22, Bhavani completed the course in 1:34:38, making her the first Indian woman to both participate in and win a medal at an official Worldloppet Skiing Federation event.

The Merino Muster stands as one of New Zealand’s premier long-distance cross-country skiing competitions and serves as a key leg on the international Worldloppet circuit.

While the main event spans 42 km, the 21 km race offered Bhavani a strategic platform to venture into long-distance racing and ski-marathon formats.

Bhavani’s remarkable finish in New Zealand is another addition to her recent international successes.

During the 2025-26 winter season, Bhavani earned distinction as the first Indian woman to win an International Skiing and Snowboard Federation (FIS) medal.

She also holds the honour of being the first Indian cross-country skier to qualify and race in the FIS Cross-Country Ski World Cup, expanding her competitive range from sprint and distance races into long-distance endurance circuits.

Bhavani is currently undergoing an extended international training program at Snow Farm. Her preparation and international exposure have been made possible through financial and logistical backing from the Reliance Foundation and the Government of Karnataka, which contributed Rs 10 lakh through its Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports to support her training.

Reflecting on her achievement, Bhavani noted that competing in her first Worldloppet race served as an important test of her endurance training.

She expressed that earning a category win in the 21 km event provides substantial confidence as she prepares for the upcoming international season.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home / by Express News Service / August 25th, 2026

‘Let Sport Decide, Not Spreadsheet’: Rohan Bopanna Slams Asian Games Tennis Decision

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Rohan Bopanna slammed the country’s trimmed squad for the upcoming Asian Games 2026 after 5 players were removed by the Sports Ministry from the list of 12 submitted by All India Tennis Association (AITA).

File photo of Rohan Bopanna / @ Getty Images

Legendary Indian tennis player Rohan Bopanna slammed the country’s trimmed squad for the upcoming Asian Games 2026 after 5 players were removed by the Sports Ministry from the list of 12 submitted by All India Tennis Association (AITA). In a post shared on Linkedin, Bopanna said that athletes should be given the chance to prove themselves on the court and their chances should not be determined on paper. “I’m a proud Indian. And today, I want to speak up for these tennis players who deserve better. They didn’t ask for mercy. They asked for a chance,” Bopanna said in the post.

The Sports Ministry removed the names of Manas Dhamne, Vaishnavi Adkar, Sahaja Yamalapalli, Vaidehee Chaudhari and Prarthana Thombare from the list submitted by the AITA.”The move reduced India’s women’s singles options, including the exclusion of Sahaja Yamalapalli, currently the country’s highest-ranked women’s singles player.”

Bopanna pointed out that the five players already proved themselves on the court thanks to their performances.

“Dhamne. Adkar. Yamalapalli. Vaidehee. Thombare. Five players — including India’s No. 1 and No. 2 in women’s singles, who earned their rankings the hard way. No shortcuts. No favors. They competed internationally, qualified and proved where they stand.”

The final squad featured 7 players – Sumit Nagal and Dhakshineswar Suresh in men’s singles, Yuki Bhambri, N Sriram Balaji and Anirudh Chandrasekhar in men’s doubles, while Ankita Raina and Ruturaj Bhosale were the two women who found a place.

“If outcomes are already decided, why have qualifications at all? Why rankings?” Bopanna said.

“This isn’t just a call about five athletes. It’s a message to every parent, every sponsor who backed them before the country did, who bet on merit and results, not on being pre-approved,” he added. “Telling these players they’re ‘not medal prospects’ tells every one of those parents and sponsors: your judgment doesn’t matter here.”

Bopanna further said that the authorities need to look beyond just medal potential on the paper.

“Let them walk onto the court. Let their years of work count for something. Let sport decide. Not a spreadsheet.”

source: http://www.sports.ndtv.com / NDTV /Home> Sports> Tennis>News / by NDTV Sports Desk / August 25th, 2026

Shilpa Nanjappa bags UstadBismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar

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Mysuru:

 Acclaimed Bharatanatyam artiste from Kodagu, Mukkatira Shilpa Nanjappa, has been selected for the prestigious Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for 2024 by the Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) under the category ‘Overall Contribution and Scholarship in the Performing Arts.’

The award is India’s highest honour for performing artistes under the age of 40. Shilpa is the first person from Kodagu and the first Kodavathi to receive the coveted recognition.

Candidates are nominated by eminent artistes and previous SNA awardees and are evaluated on the strength of their body of work and contributions to the performing arts.

In the ‘Overall Contribution and Scholarship’ category, artistes are expected to demonstrate not only excellence in performance but also significant contributions through research, teaching, curation and allied activities.

In Shilpa’s case, the award recognises more than a decade of work in documenting, preserving and promoting Kodava culture and heritage through academic research, alongside a distinguished performing career spanning nearly three decades.

She was awarded the prestigious two-year Fellowship for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) for 2019-2021. Her topic was ‘Adaptation of Kodava language/literary compositions into the classical format and Bharatanatyam’.

Shilpa Nanjappa is the daughter of Allaranda Uthappa and Kaveriamma couple. She is married to Mukkatira Pavan Nanjappa. 

Stamp of approval for Kodava culture 

Born in Bengaluru and at present settled in Kodagu after her marriage, Shilpa Nanjappa is also an ‘A’ grade artiste of Doordarshan. Speaking to Star of Mysore, Shilpa said that being nominated itself was a significant honour because nominations come from senior members of the fraternity.

“When members of the dance community hold me in such high regard, that recognition alone feels significant. For the first time in my life, an award is not about me; it is about the work, the community and a stamp of approval for Kodava culture and heritage,” she said.

“I have dedicated more than a decade to propagating and preserving this tradition. I hope this recognition helps the Kodava language reach places it has never reached before. This award is a huge acknowledgement for micro-culture representation in larger cultural spaces and is integral to the survival of micro-cultures,” she said.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / June 16th, 2026

Sri Kavery Kodava Association, Mysore East

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25th Anniversary, cultural programme featuring Kodava Valaga Dance Competition, Kolata dance by ladies, dance by children .

Lucky Dip Contest (Donors Coupon), Nectar Fresh Founder and Managing Partner Kuppanda Chayaa Nanjappa Rajappa inaugurates, 3.30 pm

Musical evening, Kodagu Model School premises, Vidyashankar Layout, Mysuru, 6 pm.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore /Home> Events / August 09th, 2026

CM Shivakumar visits Bhagamandala amidst rain

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Performs puja at Bhagandeshwara Temple

Madikeri: 

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar (DKS) arrived at Bhagamandala in Kodagu amidst rains this morning. This is his first visit to Kodagu after becoming the CM.

The Chief Minister was welcomed at the helipad in Cauvery College grounds by his Political Secretary A.S. Ponnanna, District Minister Narendra Swamy, Deputy Commissioner Somashekar, IGP (Southern Range) Dr. M.B. Boralingaiah, Superintendent of Police R.N. Bindu Mani, Kodagu District Congress President Dharmaja Uttappa, Guarantee Schemes State Vice-President Meharoz Khan, Arun Machaiah and others.

Shivakumar, who visited Bhagandeshwara Temple at Bhagamandala along with his wife Usha, performed puja and had the darshan of the deity.

He will later fly to Madikeri in a chopper to take part in the wedding of former Karnataka Youth Congress President Mohammed Haris Nalapad, son of Shantinagar MLA N.A. Haris, being held at a private resort in Mekeri near Madikeri.

The wedding of Nalapad is being held from Aug. 15 to 20 and the Nikah ceremony is scheduled to take place today at the resort.

Nalapad is reportedly entering into marriage for the second time. He is set to marry the third daughter of S.I. Muneer, a Congress leader from Kodagu, who is associated with the Kodagu District Congress Committee.

The wedding celebrations are expected to continue over several days at the private resort, with guests from political and entertainment circles likely to attend the functions.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / August 16th, 2026

Congress MLA A S Ponnanna appointed CM Shivakumar’s political secretary

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In the previous government, Ponnanna was then chief minister Siddaramaiah’s legal adviser.

A S Ponnanna / Credit: DH File Photo 

Bengaluru:

Virajpet MLA A S Ponnanna, whom the Congress had picked as its nominee for deputy speaker in the Assembly, was appointed Wednesday as Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s political secretary with a Cabinet rank.

Ponnanna, a first-time MLA, was sulking after being chosen for the deputy speaker’s position instead of a ministerial position. In the previous government, Ponnanna was then chief minister Siddaramaiah’s legal adviser.

Now, the Congress may propose former minister Mankal Vaidya for the deputy speaker’s position. Vaidya, who belongs to the Mogaveera (fishermen), was dropped from the list of Cabinet inductees at the last minute, replaced by SS Mallikarjun.

Meanwhile, senior Congress lawmaker RV Deshpande has been re-appointed as chairperson of the Karnataka Administrative Reforms Commission with a Cabinet rank. This makes him the only Brahmin holding a Cabinet-rank position.

On Wednesday evening, Shivakumar held a meeting with his deputy G Parameshwara, Karnataka Congress president BK Hariprasad, ministers KJ George, MB Patil, KH Muniyappa, UT Khader, Krishna Byre Gowda, Priyank Kharge, Dr Yathindra Siddaramaiah, former speaker KR Ramesh Kumar and former Legislative Council chairperson VR Sudarshan to discuss strategy for the upcoming legislature session.

According to sources, Shivakumar said in the meeting that he would helm the government’s defence over the Oppostion’s attack on the Bidadi township project.

Shivakumar also urged lawmakers to back Planning Minister B Nagendra, whose induction will be questioned by the Opposition BJP and JD(S) for the Bellary MLA faces corruption allegations.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> India> Karnataka / by Bharath Joshi / August 12th, 2026

DRC Cinemas opens at Kushalnagar

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Mysuru: 

DRC Cinemas, one of the sought after multiplexes of Mysureans since its inception at B.M. Habitat Mall in Jayalakshmipuram in Mysuru in 2011, has opened its first ever branch at Kushalnagar in Kodagu. The inauguration of DRC Cinemas, Kushalnagar was held this morning.

The multiplex is located on the first floor of Reliance Smart Bazaar near Tavarekere in the town.

DRC Cinemas has a total of three screens combining 651 seats. Screen 1 and Screen 2 have a total of 203 seats each with 13 gold and 190 gold (recliner) seats while Screen 3 has 246 seats with 16 gold (recliner seats).

Speaking to Star of Mysore, DRC Cinemas Managing Partner Vyshali Hanumanth expressing happiness of DRC opening in Kushalnagar, said that the multiplex would become a weekend get away for the people of Kushalnagar and nearby towns as it is in the prime location.

She also assured that DRC Cinemas would be offering a blockbuster of an experience to the cine lovers of that part of Kushalnagar.  The invitees, who visited the DRC Cinemas got a glimpse of the newly built multiplex and cafeteria. The screening of movies is likely to start from June 19.

DRC Cinemas Managing Partners C.R. Hanumanth, Vyshali, and C.H. Krishna Rao were present.

source: http://www.star of mysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / June 13th, 2026