Kodagu also known by its angliciesd former name of Coorg,is an administrative district in Karnataka,India.It occupies an area of 4,102 square kilometers(1,584 sq mi)in the western ghats of southwestern Karnataka.As of 2001,the population was 548,561,13.74% of which resided in the district's urban centers,making it the least population of the 30 districts in Karnataka.Kodagu is well known in the world for coffee and its "brave warriors",like Field Marshal K.M.Cariappa.
Madikeri is the headquarters of the kodagu.The district is bordered by Dakshina Kannada District to the northwest,Hassan District to the north,Mysore District to the east,Kannur District of Kerala to the southwest and the Wayanad District of Kerala to the south.
Kodava is home to the native speakers of kodava language.As per 1991 census,the speakers of kodava made up 0.25% of the total population of Karnataka.According to Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy,apart from kodavas,18 other ethic groups speak kodava Takk in and outside the district including heggade,Iri,Koyava,Banna,Madivala,Hajama,Kembatti and Meda.Though the language has no script,recently German Linguist Gregg M.Cox developed a new writing system for language known as the Coorg-Cox alphabet,Used by a number of individuals within kodagu.Lately,some organizations including the Cpdava National Council and Kodava Rashtriya Samiti are demanding Kodava homeland status and autonomy to Kodagu District.
Tourist Attractions:
1. 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
2. Nisargadhama:-
An man made island and picnic spot near Kushalanagara,Formed by the river Kaveri.
3. Iruppu Falls:-
A sacred spot in south kodagu in the Brahmagiri hill range.The Lakshmana Tirtha River
4.Abbey Falls:-
A scenic waterfall 5km from Madikeri
5. Dubare:-
Mainly an elephant-capturing and training camp of the Forest Department at the edge of Dubare forest,on the bank of river Kaveri along the Kushalanagara - Siddapur road
6. Bhagamandala:-
Situated at the confluence of two rivers,the Kaveri and the Kanika.A third river,the Sujyothi is said to join from underground.
7. Dargah sharief:-
the holy tomb,of Yemmemadu is one of the most sacred shrines for Muslims in Kodagu district
8. Omkaraeshwara Temple:-
A beautiful temple in Coorg,A legend is associated with the temple,built by lingrajendra II in 1820 CE.The king put to death a pious Brahmin who dared to protest against his misdeeds.The spirit of the dead man began to plague the king day and night.on the advise of wise men,the king built this temple and installed a shivlinga procured from Kashi,North India.
