subject: Coorg Hill Station [print this page] In South Western part of the South Indian state of Karnataka lie the popular mountain ranges of Western Ghats. The beautiful hill station of Coorg sits on top of the Western Ghats. The town was traditionally called Kodagu and with time got anglicized to Coorg. This town is the least populous one in entire Karnataka. Kodagu is best known for two things- one is its amazing landscape and weather, and second, its lovely world renowned coffee beans. Coorgs coffee beans are also exported to other parts of the world. This town is bounded by Hassan districtto the north, Dakshina Kannada districtto its northwest, Kannur districtofKeralato the southwest and theWayanad districtof Kerala to the south. The region was occupied first by the Kodava people who belonged to a tribe known by the same name. That explains how the name of the location came into being. Even the language that the locals speak here is known as Kodava. But they also speak the native language of Karnataka which is Kannada. Kodava language is also spoken by people belonging to some neighbouring areas. Coorg never really had a script of its own but recently the German linguist, Gregg M. Cox, came up with a writing system for the town which is actually being used by some of the locals presently. This writing pattern has been named the Coorgi-Cox alphabet. Madikeri is the headquarter of this hill station.
Ethnic tribes other than the Kodavas staying in the region include Heggade, Kolla, Kavadi, Kurubas, Koleya, Koyava, Kanya, Kudiyas, Kudiya, Maringi, Kapal, Kembatti, Thatta, Yeravas and Malaya. The Muslim and Kodagu Gowda communities can also be seen living in this place. Cultivation of rice brings most of the economys money but the coffee also brings a huge sum of money to the region. People belonging to Coorg are generally polytheists which means they pray to more than one deity. Some of the deities worshipped in Coorg are Bhagwathi, Mahadeva, Ayyappa, Iggutappa and Subramani. People generally coexist peacefully in this region by doing various kinds of specialized jobs. Some of the professions adopted by Coorgi people are being artisans, drummers, basket makers, wandering musicians and wandering musicians.
Kodagu is a very popular destination among people with a weakness for hill stations. Talakaveri defines the origin of the River Kaveri. The temple located here is famous because it is one of the two Brahma temples in the entire of South East Asia. This temple is located on the bank of the Kaveri River. Nisargadhama is seated right next to the Kaveri River and is a very popular picnic spot among visitors. This beautiful man made picnic spot is located near Kushalanagara.
