Madikeri is a small hill town in the state of Karnataka. It
is also known by the names Mercara and Muddu Raja Keri. It is situated on SH 88
which is linked from Mysore to Mangalore. Madikeri is about 120 km from Mysore
and 252 km from Bangalore. Although there is no railway junction in this hill town,
buses and taxis ply from Mysore and Mangalore. Mysore and Mangalore also are
the nearest airports to Madikeri. It is situated at a height of 1,061 m and the
average temperature remains around 32 degrees Celsius during summers and 15
degrees Celsius during winters. Visitors mostly come to Madikeri for Trekking.
Madikeri hotels have reasonable tariffs for the visitors and
there are some guest houses as well. There are three major attractions in
Madikeri. First is the Madikeri Fort which was built by Muddu Raja in the 17th
century. The fort also houses a palace. The fort area came to be known as
Jafrabad after Tipu Sultan had the fort rebuilt in granite, later on. After
him, it came under the reign of Dodda Vira Rajendra, Wodeyar II, and then under
the British. There is a church at one of its corner which was developed by the
British. Kote Ganapathi temple sits at the front of the fort.
Second attraction is the Raja Seat which is a squarical arch
raised on four pillars. At this place, the kings used to sit for some scenic
view and recreation. As the ground is high enough beneath the Raja Seat, the
site offers a spectacular view of the valleys that lie in the west. The third
attraction in Madikeri is the Omkareshwara Temple. It was built by Linga Rajendra
Wodeyar II in 1820. The architecture of the temple resembles the gothic and Islamic
styles and the temple is built around a pool. The legend is that the king
Wodeyar II had become blindfolded by his political ambitions and was
responsible for the murder of a Brahmin. This Brahmin returned as a Brahma
Rakshasa, a demonic spirit, and in order to get rid of it through a process of
purification, he ordered the construction of the Omkareshwara temple, which is
devoted to Lord Shiva. The Shivalinga was brought from Kashi for this purpose.
Madikeri witnesses a lot of festivals, such as Karaga,
Kailpodh, Kaveri Sankramana, Dasara, and Puttari. The zest for ceremonies is at
its peak during the Navratri period, during October-November. In such times,
the whole Madikeri becomes vibrant with the religious fervor that sweeps the
town. Madikeri witnesses a number of tourists in winters. Coorg Cuisine offers
some nice regional dishes in the town. You can discover a variety of tastes and
savour the cuisines offered at this place. Hotel Hill View, Hotel Caveri, and
Hotel Coorg International are some 3 star luxury hotels in Madikeri, in which
you would get a comfortable stay complimented by warm hospitality.
0 Comments