Coorg tour gives you an opportunity to know about the culture, cuisine, language, and customs of Coorgs.
Coorg is the anglicized name of Kodagu a tiny district in the state of Karnataka.
Kodagu or Coorg, also popularly known as the Scotland of India, is situated on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats of Karnataka. It is the closest hill station to Bangalore.
Know about Coorgs before you embark on the Coorg tour.
Coorgs
The original inhabitants of Coorg are called the Kodavas or Coorgs and speak Coorg or Kodava thak. The Kodavas were the earliest inhabitants and agriculturists in Kodagu, having lived there for centuries and being a warrior community, they carried arms during times of war and had their own chieftains. The Haleri dynasty, an offshoot of the Keladi Nayakas, ruled Kodagu between 1600 and 1834. Later the British ruled Kodagu from 1834 until India’s independence in 1947. Between 1947 and 1956 Coorg was a separate state by itself. In 1956, Coorg stopped being a state and was merged with the then newly formed Mysore State (now Karnataka).
The Kodavas were originally a tribal community and have been worshiping nature and ancestors. Over a period of time, the Kodavas adopted regular Hindu practices. There is a difference in language, culture, and festivals. The Coorgs worship goddess Kaveri (River goddess) and worship ancestors (Guru, Karana). It is believed that the ancestors protect and safeguard the land. No auspicious occasion is complete without worshiping and offering thanks to the ancestors of the land.
In stark contrast to the Hindu customs and practices, Coorg weddings do not involve elaborate rituals and does not involve a Hindu priest. instead, prayers are offered to the ancestors, and blessings are sought from elders.
Coorg cuisine
Coorgs are warm-hearted and free-spirited. They are also known for their hospitality and cuisine. Some of the must-try delicacies of Coorg cuisine include Kadambuttu (Rice balls) and pandi curry (pork curry), Paaputtu (Rice cake), Noolputtu (rice noodle) eaten with koli curry (Chicken curry), Otti (Rice rotis) eaten with kembu curry (colocasia) and baimbale curry (Bamboo shoot curry). Having a unique style of cooking, the Coorg cuisine is largely popular and well appreciated by people from all over the world. The Coorg cuisine acquires a special fragrance with Kachampuli (Garcinia Vinegar) that is found in every Coorg kitchen.
Make it a point to taste the Coorg cuisine during your Coorg tour
Coorg festivals
Coorgs are nature worshipers and dependent on agriculture for their livelihood, the festivals celebrated by them involve giving thanks to their ancestors and soliciting blessing for the ability to sow and reap the benefits of the land. The 3 main festivals of Coorgs are Kailpodh, Kaveri Shankramana,and Puttari.
Kailpodh is celebrated at the end of the sowing season. It is a symbol of alerting the cultivators to prepare for the protection of their crops from the wild. As a martial race, the Coorgs use arms and ammunition for protecting their land and crops. Hence, the ceremony commemorates with families bringing out all their agricultural equipment, arms, and ammunition to worship and to thank the tools.
Kaveri Shankramana/Tula sankaramana is the most important festival for the Coorgs. Coorg is the birthplace of river Kaveri (also spelled as Cauvery). On an auspicious day, water springs up from the birthplace of river Kaveri in Talakaveri on the Western Ghats. The river appears in the form of large bubbles emerging from under the water. Coorgs believe that goddess Kaveri appears in the form of water to bless them. Thousands of people arrive in Talakaveri to witness this scene. It is believed that a holy dip in the water cleanses the sins.
Putthari also means “new rice” is the harvest festival, where the extended families come together and enjoy the first harvest of the season. Being the most celebrated festival of Coorgs, Puttari involves giving thanks to the Gods and ancestors for providing them with the agricultural crops of the season. On an auspicious day, an elderly in the family, hand over the sickle to the head of the family (Pattedhara). A woman leads a procession to the paddy field with a lamp. Later, the symbolic harvesting begins – the paddy is cut, stacked, tied in odd numbers, and carried home and offered to the Gods. Rice is extracted from the paddy. A bunch of paddies is tied to the front door of the house.
Kodavas in Army and Sport
Coorgs/Kodavas being a warrior clan are known for their bravery and valor. Kodagu has produced and continues to produce some of the greatest professionals in the armed forces our country has ever seen.
Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa, the first Indian C-in-C, who also held the position of Indian High Commissioner to Australia and New Zealand was from Kodagu. Field Marshal is the highest rank in the Indian Army and India has had only 2 Field Marshals to date. Some of the other very prominent army men include General Thimayya who was the head of the Indian Army. He was also the chairman of the Korean Repatriation Committee and head of the UN Peacekeeping force. Squadron Leader A B Devaiah, the only Air Force officer to be awarded the Maha Vir Chakra posthumously is from Coorg.
C. B. Muthamma is the first woman Indian Foreign Service officer. The Kodavas still continue serving in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air force. The current bodyguard of the President of India, (PBG) the senior most regiment of the Indian army is Colonel Dhiraj Chengappa and Rear Admiral of the Indian Navy is Iychettira B. Uthaiah. Kodagu is the only place in India with three Lieutenant Generals are currently serving in the Army.
Kodagu has produced some of the greatest sportsperson that the Country has seen. Hockey is very popular among the Kodavas and has been a regular feeder to the National team. MP Ganesh, MM Somayya, A.B Subbaiah, B.K. Subramani, Arjun Halappaa, Lehn Aiyappa, V.R. Raghunath, S.V. Sunil are some of the famous hockey players from the district. A hockey tournament is organized every year among the families of Coorg that has seen an average of more than 250 teams participating every year. The district has also produced greats in other fields as well. Ashwini Nachappa, M.R. Poovamma & Reeth Abraham (Athletics), Rohan Bopanna (Tennis), Jyotsna Chinnappa (Squash), Robin Uthappa (Cricket), Ashwini Ponnappa (Badminton) are some of the noteworthy names.
Hockey has always been a closely associated sport for the Kodavas, every year there is a Family Cup Tournament that is organized in Coorg. Each family forms a team of 11 members and participate in this tournament. The tournament is hosted by a different family each year and has seen over 250 teams participating. Currently holding an official mention in The Limca Book of Records, the tournament has also been referred to the Guinness book of records for being the largest field hockey tournament in the World.
Lovely weather and coffee plantations, add beauty to the culture and heritage of Coorg. The endless greenery and extremely warm-hearted people that extend their hospitality towards people vacationing in Coorg. Experience the hospitality of the Kodavas during your Coorg tour.
With magnificent mountain ranges, waterfalls, and wildlife sanctuaries Coorg attracts a lot of tourists round the year. The best season to visit Coorg is between October and June. The monsoon recedes by September and the waterfalls present a mesmerizing sight. It is a feast to eyes watching the water cascading from a great height with a deafening sound.
Coorg has been divided into two parts from the point of tourism. North Coorg and South Coorg. Talakaveri, Bhagamandala, Raja’s seat, Mandalpatti, Omkareshwara temple, Dubare Elephant Camp and Abby waterfalls are in North Coorg. Whereas Irupu waterfalls and Nagarahole national park/Tiger Reserve are attractions in the South Coorg
Coorg Coffee berries
Omkareshwara temple
Mandalpatti
Irupu water falls
Accommodation in Coorg
Coorg has a lot of options from five-star hotels and resorts to budget hotels for your stay during the tour. It is advisable to book your stay in advance to get the best stay. To get the first-hand experience of the rich culture, delicious cuisine, and hospitality, stay in a coffee plantation homestay.
Book best Coorg tour packages for a memorable tour.
