kodagu District

Kodagu (Kannada: ಕೊಡಗು) is a district of Karnataka State in southern India. It is also known by its anglicised name of Coorg. It occupies about 4,100 square kilometers (1,580 mi²) of land in the Western Ghats of southwestern Karnataka. As of 2001, the population was 5,48,561, with some 13.74% of the population residing in the district's urban centers.

Kodagu's capital is Madikeri. The district is bordered by Dakshina Kannada District to the northwest, Hassan District to the north, Mysore District to the east, the Kannur District of Kerala to the southwest, and the Wayanad District of Kerala to the south.

Geography

Kodagu is on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats. It is a hilly district with the lowest elevation in the district at 900 meters (2,900 ft) above sea-level. The highest peak, Tadiandamol, rises to 1,750 meters (5,700 ft), with Pushpagiri, the second highest, at 1,715 meters (5,600 ft).

The main river in Kodagu is the Kaveri (Cauvery). The Kaveri starts at Talakaveri, located on the eastern side of the Western Ghats, and, with its tributaries, drains the greater part of Kodagu. In July and August, rainfall is intense, and there are often rain showers into November. Yearly rainfall may exceed 4,000 millimeters (160 in) in some areas. In dense jungle tracts, rainfall reaches 3,000 to 3,800 millimeters (120 to 150 in) and 1,500 to 2,500 millimeters (60 to 100 in) in the bamboo district to the west.

Kodagu has an average temperature of 15°C (59°F), ranging from 11 to 28°C (52 to 82°F), with the highest temperatures occurring in April and May.

The principal town, and district capital, is Madikeri, or Mercara, with a population of around 30,000. Other significant towns include Virajpet (Viraranjendrapet) and Somwarpet. The district is divided into the three administrative talukas (divisions) of Madikeri, Virajpet and Somwarpet.

Agriculture

Much of the district is under cultivation: characteristically, rice fields are found on the valley floors, with plantation crops under tree cover in the surrounding hills. The most common plantation crop is coffee, especially the Robusta variety, with the Arabica variety grown in some parts of southern Kodagu. Many other crops are also grown, including black pepper, para rubber, teak, and cocoa. There are also large areas of natural forest, especially in the forest reserves in the south and east.

Flora and fauna

Kodagu is considered rich with wildlife and has three wildlife sanctuaries and one national park: Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, Talakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary and Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, and Nagarahole or Rajiv Gandhi National Park.

The flora of the jungle includes Michelia champaca (Champak), Mesua (Ironwood), Diospyros (Ebony and other species), Toona ciliata (Indian mahogany), Chukrasia tabularis, Calophyllum angustifolium (Poon spar), Canarium strictum (Black Dammar), Artocarpus, Dipterocarpus, Garcinia, Euonymus, Cinnamomum, Myristica, Vaccinium, Myrtaceae, Melastomataceae, Rubus (three species), and a rose. In the undergrowth are found cardamom, Areca, plantains, canes, wild Black pepper, tree and other ferns, and arums.

In the forest of the less thickly-wooded bamboo country in the west of Kodagu the most common trees are the Dalbergia latifolia (Black wood), Pterocarpus marsupium (Kino tree), Terminalia tomentosa (Matthi), Lagerstroemia parviflora (Benteak), Anogeissus latifolia (Dindul), Bassia latifolia, Butea monosperma, Nauclea parvifiora, and several species of acacia. teak and sandalwood also grow in the eastern part of the district.

The fauna include: the Asian elephant, tiger, leopard, dhole, gaur, boar, and several species of deer.

People

Kodagu is home to many communities with diverse ethnic origins, with Kodavas being the main ethnic group. Other communities include AreBhase Gowda, Malayali,. There are also a number of tribes such as the Yeravas, Kurubas, Airies and Kudiyas, who are believed to be of tribal origin. Muslims from the Malabar coast, the Mapilles, have also been present as traders and entrepreneurs.

The Kodava community numbers about one-fifth out of a total population of over 500,000, speaking the Kodava takk language. The Kodavas are traditionally ancestor worshipers with a martial tradition. The Kodava along with other communities like Lingayat, Are Bhashe Gowda, were once part of the Kodagu King's army, and remain a prominent Kodagu group

History

The Kodavas were the earliest agriculturists in Kodagu, living in that place for centuries. Nayakas and Palegaras like Chengalvas and Kongalvas ruled over them. Over centuries several South Indian dynasties, like the Kadambas, the Gangas, the Cholas, the Chalukyas, the Rastrakutas, the Hoysalas,and the Vijaynagar Rayas, ruled over Kodagu.

Kodagu was a kingdom ruled by the Hoysalas from the 11th to the 14th century CE, and thereafter by the Vijayanagar and the Chengalvas. The Haleri Rajas of Kodagu ruled from the 17th to the 19th century. In between the Mysore Sultans invaded and ruled Kodagu for a couple of decades in the eighteenth century.

The British annexed Kodagu in 1834, after dethroning Chikkavirarajendra the last Haleri Raja. The province was administered by Chief Commissioners until Indian Independence in 1948. The last Chief Commissioner of Coorg was Ketolira Changappa.

Kodagu was granted a representative in the Rajya Sabha as a category 'C' State in 1952. In the re-organisation of States which took place in 1956, Kodagu became a district of Karnataka State.

The name

The district's name is Koḍagu in standard transliteration.

The name has alternative derivations in popular etymology, including: kudu from the Kannada language, meaning steep or hilly; Krodha desa from in the Puranas, meaning “Land of Anger” - the Kodavas here are described as Mleccha, meaning foreigners. It is also said that Kodagu is derived from the word “Kodava: Kod means 'give' and avva means 'mother', i.e mother Kaveri, the river Kaveri.

However, the Dravidian Etymological Dictionary treats the name as being etymologically related to Kurukh, the name the Oraon people use for themselves and the their language, and suggests a possible connection with the common Dravidian kōṭa, referring to westerly winds and the weather they bring.

Coorg, the still common name in English, is derived from this, by a transformation of the retroflex 'ḍ' to 'r' (cf. Maḍikeri to Mercara).

The people are referred to in English either as Kodava, tautologically pluralised to Kodavas, or as “Coorg”, pluralized as “Coorgs”. The name of the language is Kodava takk.

Festivals

The Kodavas are traditionally warriors and agriculturists. Most of their rituals, traditions and festivities center around their agriculture and military prowess. Originally most of their lives were spent in the field: cultivating and harvesting, waging war, hunting for food and guarding their fields from the depredations of wild animals. It is in these contexts that weaponry became an integral part of the culture, with deep emotional and religious significance.

There are three main festivals: the Festival of Arms or Kailpodhu, Kaveri Shankaramana and the harvest thanksgiving at Puttari (puthari). These three festivals occur between September and December.

Tourist attractions

Talakaveri: the place where the River Kaveri originates. The temple on the riverbanks here is dedicated to lord Brahma, and is one of only two temples dedicated to Brahma in India and Southeast Asia.

Nisargadhama: An island and picnic spot near Kushalanagara, formed by the river Kaveri.

Iruppu Falls: A sacred spot in south Kodagu in the Brahmagiri hill range. The Lakshmana Tirtha River flows nearby.

Abbey Falls: a scenic waterfall 5 km from Madikeri.

Dubare: mainly an elephant-capturing and training camp of the Forest Department at the edge of Dubare forest; on the bank of the river Kaveri along the Kushalanagara - Siddapur road.

Nagarahole: a national park and wildlife resort.

Bhagamandala: situated at the confluence of two rivers, the Kaveri and the Kanika. A third river, the Sujyothi, is said to join from underground.

Honnamana Kere: (Honnama Lake) is a lake and holy place in Doddamalthe near Sulimalthe village, 6 km away from Somwarpet town. It is the biggest lake in Coorg, and once a year, during the Gowri festival, a special pooja is conducted and 'Bagina' which consists of belonging of goddess Honamma is left to the lake.

Mallalli Falls: is situated around 25 km from Somwarpet. The exact location of Mallali falls is in Bettadahalli Gram Panchayat in Somwarpet taluk. It is an eye feasting sight of river Kumaradhara gushing through the valley and falling into a gorge, with lush green mountains around.

Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary: is around 30 km from Somwarpet towards Kukke Subramanya and is spread over 102 sq km in the Western Ghats. This place is a frest for trekkers who want to experience the wilderness of Western Ghat. The altitude of the sanctuary varies from 160 to 1712 m, the highest point being the Pushpagiri Peak in the north of the sanctuary. The Kumaraparvatha is the other peak that lies within it. The sanctuary adjoins Bisle reserve forest to north and Kukke Subramanya forest range to the west.

Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is home to many Elephants, Leopards, Jungle Cats, Wild Boars, Spotted Deers, Sambars, Barking Deers, Mouse Deers, Jackals, Hares, Common Mongoose, Common Otter, Small Indian Civet, Common Palm Civet and Porcupine.

The Pushpagiri Wildlife Sancutuary has been proposed as a World Heritage Site.

Best time to visit Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is between November and March.

Beelur Golf Club: is located 8 kms from Somwarpet town and it is one of the oldest club in the town. The lush green golf ground attracts may movie makers.

Malemalleshwara Betta: is located around 13 kms from Somwarpet and 7 kms from Shanivarsanthe. Pooja will be conducted regularly and a Grand Celebration on Maha Shiva Rathri every year.