Amazing Coorg-The Coffee Cup of India
 

A thing of beauty, shrouded in the mists of time and legend, Coorg is a land that fascinates and provokes strong emotions. Desirable yet elusive, it has stoked the passions and curiosity of philosophers, poets and kings: it has warmly welcomed guests, and handily repelled invaders with equal aplomb. The handsome and hardy Coorgs, with their unique socio-cultural habits are as renowned hosts as they are warriors. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself listening to tales of the land over a convivial cup of coffee with someone you’ve just met, in one of the sprawling plantation homesteads that dot these picture postcard hills. Coorg or Kodagu (originally called Kodaimalenadu) means 'dense forest on a steep hill' and is situated between 900 and 1525 m above sea level on the hilly Western Ghats, with the highest peaks rising almost 1750 m above sea level. Set amidst verdant valleys, imposing mountains, acres and acres of coffee and oranges, and bounteous hardwood forests with the subtle fragrance of cloves, pepper and cardamom wafting across, Coorg is one of the last remaining bastions of an age bygone.

Coorg has a unique and traditional system of conservation. Devarkadus or sacred forests, a few acres large, surround many temples. These little patches of forests, where no hunting or chopping trees are allowed, enhance the ecology of the estate zones and provide safe haven to small animals like wild boar and deer.

When the great Vijayanagar Empire famed for its wealth all over the world, fell to the combined onslaught of its enemies, it left a vacuum which was filled by local chieftains. These chieftains constantly warred with each other and were united by Veeraraja, a Lingayat man from outside the land. Veeraraja posed as a holy man to win the confidence of the chieftains. He finally went on to become the first king of Coorg. His family, the Haleri rajas, ruled for 221 years.

Coorg & Coffee

Fondly referred to as the ‘Coffee Cup of India’, this is one sobriquet that Coorg wears with an almost possessive air. After all, some of the world’s best coffee is grown here, and the slopes are redolent with the aroma of fine Arabicas and Robustas.

This heartland of Indian coffee is renowned for its 'monsoon-fed coffee', shade-grown under giant Rose Wood, Wild Fig and Jack Fruit trees. While nurturing and instilling the beans with exotic flavours and aromas, these fruit laden trees are a unique eco-system by themselves providing home to thousands of birds and animals including the Great Indian Pied Hornbill and the Giant Malabar Squirrel.
 

Legends of Coorg

Legend has it that the Goddess Cauvery appears at the sacred site of Talacauvery, the source of the Cauvery, on a specific day in October. She manifests herself as a sudden upsurge of water in a small tank. A large number of devotees gather to witness this bubbling spring and coconuts adorned with flowers are floated down the river as part of a special prayer. The water is especially potent on this occasion and is said to possess healing powers

The sacred site of Talacauvery, the source of the Cauvery, lies 45 km southwest of Madikeri, the capital town of the district.

Legend has it that Cauvery, wife of sage Agasthya, transformed herself into a river to serve the people. She submerged herself into the ground after which she rose up again as a forceful river. At this site a small shrine was built signifying the birth of the river. According to the story, when the renowned sage Agasthya tried to stop his wife from becoming a river, the pleats of her sari were pushed back and to this day Kodava women wear their sari with pleats at the back!

In 1670, Baba Budan, a Muslim pilgrim, smuggled 7 coffee seeds out of Mecca and planted them in the Chikmagalur region near Coorg in Karnataka, thus introducing coffee to India.
Today, Karnataka yields 140,000 tonnes of coffee a year, making it the largest producer of coffee in India.


Orange County Coorg

When you step into the portals of Orange County, Coorg, you leave one world behind, and step seamlessly into another: the bygone era of the Gentleman Planter, ensconsed in the cocooned comforts of a lush plantation paradise, perfumed with the subtly intoxicating aroma of coffee and spice.

Bordered by the legendary river Cauvery, and surrounded by virginal forests, this 300 acre working plantation resort perched at a height of 800m, gives you the most luxurious introduction yet, into the deepest secrets of this mystic mountain. Come, allow the spirit of the land to infuse your very being, and coax you gently on a personal voyage of discovery.

Getting There

From Bangalore - 235 kms, From Mysore — 100 kms & From Mangalore — 170 kms

The nearest airport is Bangalore (275 kms) & Mangalore (195 Kms)

The nearest railway stations are Bangalore (235 kms), Mysore (100 kms) & Mangalore (170 kms)
 

Distance from Orange County, Coorg

Orange County, Kabini 120 kms

Bangalore 235 kms

Mysore 100 kms

Mangalore 170 kms

Hassan 135 kms

 

Kabini

The legend and romance of Kabini plays out in a theatre called Nagarhole, and revolves around a pristine river called Kabini (originally Kapila) that snakes its way through the Nagarhole National Park in Karnataka, and forms an aqueous boundary with the Bandipur National Park.

Together, this area constitutes the largest contiguous forest cover in this part of the world and is part of the Nilgiri biosphere, the largest in Asia, and home to the largest concentration of herbivores in Asia. And herbivores don't get larger than the Asiatic elephant, whose favourite playground this is. At Nagarhole, one can witness the largest congregation of Asiatic Elephants in the world, and these majestic mammals rule the roost here.

While the lead actors may be largely herbivorous, the support cast consists of three major predators in the Tiger, Leopard and Dhole or Wild Dog, with all three co-existing in high densities. A feature unique to Nagarhole.


Orange County Kabini - Experience Wildlife, the Tribal way.

Orange County’s 'Spirit of the Land' philosophy finds its most intimate expression at Kabini where the casual visitor is drawn into the very bosom of the Nilgiri biosphere.

While you are cradled in the lap of luxury, the Resort manages to give you a wildlife experience like no other, and enjoins you to be part of the vibrant social tapestry of the local Kadu Kuruba tribe. Steeped in local lore and culture, and inspired in design by the Hadis (tribal villages), this picturesque resort of sweeping panoramic vistas is bordered on two sides by the Kabini River.


Getting There

From Bangalore 245 kms and from Mysore 90 kms

The nearest airport is Bangalore (275 kms) & Kozhikode - 245 Kms

The nearest railway stations are Bangalore (245 kms) & Mysore (90 kms)

Distance from Orange County, Kabini

Orange County, Coorg 120 kms

Bangalore 245 kms

Mysore 90 kms

Hassan 220 kms