Home » South India Travel Destinations

Madikeri

Madikeri, also known as Mercara, is a lush hill station in the Coorg region of Karnataka. Situated at a height of more than 1500 metres above sea level, the natural splendour of the town has made it famous as the 'Scotland of India'. Tributaries of the River Kaveri run through the town.

Madikeri's misty hills, waterfalls, dense forests and vast tea and coffee plantations have made it a popular holiday destination. Madikeri is the heartland of Coorg kings who ruled the land since the late 17th century.

The Kodagu (Coorgi) people were the earliest inhabitants of Madikeri and for centuries they lived as agriculturists. Since the late 9th century, a number of famous royal dynasties like the Gangas, Cholas and the Hoyasalas ruled the land. The kings of Haleri are believed to have been the last royal family of the region.

The River Kaveri is sacred to the Coorgies. With reverence to the ancient river, they proudly call themselves as children of the Kaveri. They are regarded as skilled agriculturists and are equally famous for their hospitality. During the Kaveri Shankaramana Festival, people from all over Karnataka gather at Talakaveri, about 50 km from Madikeri to take a holy dip in the waters.

Kailpoldu is a harvest festival that is celebrated every September. Here men worship their weapons and agricultural implements and indulge in sports and outdoor activities. Puttari is another festival that is celebrated during the rice-harvest season. Coorg cuisine with its Panndi curry, Koli Barthad and Kaipulli is famous all over India.

Some of the popular attractions of Madikeri are the Abbey Falls, Rajah's Seat. Omkareshwara Temple, Madikeri Fort, etc. Madikeri is known for its forest honey as well as select grades of rubber, teak and cocoa.

Three wildlife sanctuaries - Bahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary and Tala Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary and one National Park - the Nagarhole National Park, provide habitat and protection to the many varieties of animals, trees and herbs.

Madikeri can be reached by flights, trains and buses. The nearest airport is over 130 km away at Mangalore. The city does not have its own railway station. However, it can be reached from the railway terminals of Mangalore, Hassan, Kannur and other places. KSRTC buses as well as private buses provide services to Madikeri from nearby cities in the region.

Madikeri's climate is moderate and pleasant. The temperature in winters is mostly in the range of 15-20° Celsius. The river-forests-hills combination keeps the summer temperature between 25-35° Celsius. The monsoon season fills the waterfalls and the channels of the Kaveri which draws a lot of tourists. September-March is the best time to visit Madikeri.