Coorg: The Land of the Kodavas

Coorg, a small district tucked away in the southwest corner of Karnataka state in southern India, is famous for its beautiful coffee estates. The Western Ghat mountain range carves up the region into a series of hills, with the capital of Mercara (or Madikeri) nestled in a valley at an elevation of over 4,000 feet. The Cauvery River, the most important river in southern India, originates in the mountains of Coorg and is worshipped by the people, who consider themselves the children of Cauvery.
The Kodavas, as the Coorgs call themselves, are a fascinating people, different from other South Indians. They are ancestor worshippers and maintain ancestoral homes. They also have a warrior tradition going back to the days when they allied themselves with the British against the mighty ruler Tippu Sultan, who was determined to conquer all of South India. Even today, Kodavas are known for their exemplary role in the armed forces, where their number is very high in proportion to their small population.
Coorg is also famous for its spectacular wildlife sanctuary, Nagarahole. Its conservation programme has been so successful that Nagarahole has become one of the best habitats of the Asian elephant as well as the tiger, plus a myriad of other animals.