Visit the Golden Temple or the Namdroling Monastery
The Namdroling Monastery, or the Golden Temple is the biggest teaching institute of the Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Exploring this place is one of the peaceful things to do in Coorg. It houses more than 5000 lamas and has a calm atmosphere. This monastery was constructed in 1963 and presents traditional paintings and structures of Tibet. Here you can either pray or watch people praying, spin the prayer wheels or just wander around the area experiencing the spirituality.
Experience the Magical Beauty of Abbey Falls
Visiting the Abbey Falls is one of the best things to do in Coorg city. It is a must-see attraction, especially for photographers and nature lovers. It is surrounded by a private coffee and spices plantation and has a height of 70 feet. There is a hanging bridge right over the top of the falls which is splendid for great pictures. It is among the must-try activities in Coorg.
Spend Some Time with Elephants at Dubare Elephant Camp
Dubare Elephant Camp is on the banks of Cauvery and you can get to watch, bathe, feed, and spend time with elephants at this camp. Therefore it is among the fun things to do in Coorg. If you want to spend the night some cottages are availed within the camp. Other activities that you can participate in during your stay include nature walks, jeep Safaris, Wildlife films and Chimpanzee displays, fire making, and evening Fires and lectures. For those slightly pressed for time a day visit is also possible.
Take a Trip to Talacauvery
Visiting Talacauvery is one of the top things to do in Coorg Talacauvery situated on the Brahmagiri Hills is also an important spot because it marks the origin of the Cauvery River. The main place of interest in the area is a shrine to Goddess Kaveriamma and a tank supplied by a spring – said to be the river's source. Apart from praying, you have an opportunity to admire the views of the surrounding landscape from the top of the hill, which you have to climb following more than 400 steps.
Go Wildlife Spotting at Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary
Whether you are a nature lover, birdwatcher, or trekker, a trip to Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary must be on your list of activities in Coorg. Enveloped by Kukke Subramanya Forest Range and Bisle Forest Range, the sanctuary is home to some rare and endangered bird species. The trails of Kote Betta and Pushpagiri Peak make it a favorite among trekkers too.
Adventurous Things to do in Coorg
Camping
It's among the best adventure things to do in Coorg that you can indulge in the lap of nature. Since Coorg is an ideal destination for camping, it is permitted to camp in some places though you have to get prior permission from the forest department. It is perfect for those who want to take time off and escape from the usual routine of a busy day.
River Rafting
Dubare is well famous for the Elephant camp, but if are a water sports lover and want to experience river rafting you can do it in the Barapole River. This is one of the popular adventure activities in Coorg. The tariff is around INR 600 per person. The river has a very heavy rush of water sometimes, but you are welcome to raft through the river.
Jeep Safari
Jeep Safari should be on your list of offbeat adventure activities in Coorg. It offers you a great option to look forward to. There are a few places that offer 4WD jeep safari through the uncalled-for ways and the forest thus; making it an enthusiastic adventure sport that you can try. It also allows you to enjoy the scenery of nature at its best.
Trekking
Coorg is a hill station and, therefore, trekking is among the must-experience adventure things to do in Coorg. The choices are limitless, there are the standard trails and also the lesser-known trekking trails for the people who just want to be left alone with their solitude and adventure. The experience of trekking along the steep hills and trails in Coorg, exploring the Western Ghats can not be experienced from elsewhere.
Ziplining
Following in the list of the most famous adventure things to do in Coorg comes zip-lining. While there aren't many options available, you can find a few of them on your own. The free falling and the gushing feeling one gets while sliding down the mountains is unique and one which you get to witness amidst the greenery and the nature’s beauty of Coorg.
Food of Coorg
Food, food, and food!!! Good news for foodies- Coorg is loaded with dotted with many big and small restaurants that serve local and excellent Coorgi dishes. Tempered generously with coconut, curry leaves, chili, mushrooms, bamboo shoots and ginger, all kinds of cuisines from Indian to Chinese to Tibetan to Continental. Almost all roadsides restaurants serve with excellent south Indian coffee.
Corgis are voracious meat-eaters and veggies might have to face some disappointment. Vegetarians can go in for Udupi Hotel, Hotel Veglands, Mayura Valley View Hotel, and Hotel Choice as these are the best restaurants in Coorg. Another good option in the food of Coorg is the usual masala dosas at East End Hotel (near Tollgate, Madikeri). Coorg Hotel is another food joint that dishes out authentic Coorg curry and paranthas. The Raj Darshan is a popular way-station for a hot meal. Uppal Orchid Restaurant specializes in serving excellent food platter.
Shopping at Coorg
A paradise for all shopaholics’, Coorg is an inviting shopping destination as there are many places to shop in Coorg. Boasting of its many prized possessions like coffee, silk sarees, tea plantations peppers, nutmegs and cardamom, Coorg is home to the finest of orange and coffee plantation too. You can discover many shops in Coorg on your way to exploring this destination. Also, one can bid in purchasing coffee and tea at unimaginable prices here. A lot of small and large shops in Coorg are engaged in selling the local produces at Coorg. However, suggested is to buy these items in bulk from retail shops at Madikeri. Bargainers can have their pick from the market near Kushalnagar.
Another vying best buys at Coorg are spices, Honey and Oranges that can be bought at extremely cheap price here. Coorg is not all about spices and oranges; there are silk sarees, Tibetian artifacts as well in the row. Honey and other collectibles souvenirs are also available in the market besides the bamboo stuff and handicrafts.
Festivals of Coorg
A prominent festival of Coorg, Kailpoldu falls between the 2nd and 5th of September every year. Kialpoldu or Kail Muhurta marks the completion day of paddy transplantations aka ‘nati’. On this fortunate day, the weapons deposited in the Kanni Kombre (prayer room) during the crop plantation months, are taken out and embellished with flowers and sandalwood. Men of the family are given their weapons and arms to guard their field against wild animals and unnecessary elements on this auspicious day. As a part of the festival, all weapons are assembled in Nellakki Nadubade" – the place of community gathering. The men and people bathe in the river Cauvery and feast in enjoyment after which the elder most in the family hand the gun/weapon to other family members.
Kaveri Shankramana falls on 17th October every year. This festival of Coorg is associated with paying religious reverence to Mother Cauvery, who breathes life in Coorg by inundating and decorating the whole of the valley with her consecrated water. The presence of Holy Cauvery is felt by everyone at Thala Cauvery as a sudden upsurge of water fills the Bramh Kundike at Tala Cauvery. On this fortunate day, Tala Cauvery is thronged by thousands of pilgrims who take a dip in the Kund to purge them of sin and receive blessings of the Goddess. The consecrated water is also carried to many homes in Kodagu and preserved for religious uses. Married women perform puja by wearing new silk saree and cutting vegetables in the form of river Kaveri. Hereafter, the shape is decorated with flowers, ornaments, and bangles. Vegetable-cut-statue of Lord Cauvery is worshipped with rice and sandal powder. A grand vegetarian feast is organized comprising dosa, vegetable curry (usually pumpkin curry) (kumbaya Kari) and payasam. Kaveri Shankarmana is an ideal time to visit Thala Cauvery and be blessed by the Goddess.
The Putter / Huttari is celebrated during late November. Huotari means new rice and the day signifies a new yield of rice crop. This new agricultural festival of Coorg is celebrated by the whole community gathered in ain mane (the family assembly hall). On the day of festival, ain mane is decked with flowers and green mango, as a ritual in Kodava. A procession of family members, led by the eldest women of the family, is taken out to the paddy fields. Paddy is offered to God and Goddess. Hutter is celebrated in full zeal with youth dancing to the local songs and money distributed to the younger. Specific foods are prepared (ethambutol putter mean Kari (fish Kari) poli, thambuttu is a dish prepared with rice floor and bananas.
