Savaari
A quaint town located amidst imposing mountains with a perpetually misty landscape, Coorg is the best place for nature lovers in Bangalore to visit. The town is also called Kodagu and is the most renowned hill station in the state. It is well known for its coffee plantations, exotic scenery and the forest covered hills. Public transport in the town is not very efficient, so it would be easier to get cabs to Coorg or rent a car in Bangalore to take you there and around.
The town was first compared to Scotland by the Britishers during their visit in the 19th century. Scotland is known for its picturesque scenery, surreal beauty and mist covered peaks; very much how one could describe Coorg. The town is one of the highest producers of coffee in the nation, with several coffee plantations dotting the region. Spices are also grown here aplenty, with the pepper, cardamom and cloves of Coorg considered some of the best in the world.
The town has a lot of tourist spots and places of interest, all of which present unique insights into its culture and landscape.
A Tibetan monastery, Namdroling is one of the few monasteries in India outside of the Himalayas. It is located just 35 km away from the town of Madikeri and belongs to the Sangha community. You can book taxi in Bangalore to visit the monastery. The temple is presided over by an 18 m high, gold plated Buddha statue, and the walls of the temple describe the gods, demons, myths and phases of Buddha's life.
Although the temple does not seem vast, it is actually huge on the inside. The floor is completely made of marble and covered in carpets. Three separate statues of Lord Buddha sit inside, each around 12 m tall; they are called Padmasambhava, Buddha and Amitayus.
Raja's Seat View Point turns festive every evening as tourists end their day to see the sunset from here. There's a park next to the view point, where there's a toy train, a chaat stall and a lovely resting area. The view of the valley from here is stunning, and draws a huge crowd each day.
This nature park is on the way to Coorg, and is on the banks of the river Cauvery. Nisargadhama has a petting zoo, a deer park and even offers rides on elephants. The park has a stunning hanging bridge across a stream of the river Cauvery, letting you go deeper into the park to explore. At the entrance, you'll find stalls and restaurant that serve snacks. This is the perfect picnic spot if you're planning to take a trip to or from Coorg.
One of the most scenic waterfalls in the state, Abbey Falls is located around 4 km from the city center. You can book a cab to get to Abbey Falls. The water flows into the river Kaveri, through a path surrounded by coffee plantations. Visitors can take in the mesmerising view of the 70 ft high waterfalls by walking on a hanging bridge set up near the place. The best time to visit this picturesque place is in the monsoon season, when the force and volume of water pouring down is awe inspiring.
Another one of the popular waterfalls in Coorg, Burude Falls is located on the outskirts of Coorg. Visitors will need to trek for a short distance to reach the viewpoint, but it is well worth the effort. However, the place is crowded most of the time owing to its popularity among tourists.
Other places of interests in and around the area include Nagarhole National Park, Talacauvery and Iruppu Falls, among others. The easy availability of taxis in Bangalore has made visiting the town quicker and more convenient. So if you're in Bangalore and looking for a quick break, look no further than the wonderful hill station of Coorg.
