The Place :
"One of the most picturesque locales in India" - That's how Lonley Planet has described Coorg. Coorg originally called as Kodagu is the smallest but most picturesque district of Karnataka State in Southern India. it is situated in the south - western part of the state, bordering Kerala. It is bound on the north by the Hassan, on the east by the Mysore and on the west by the Dakshina Kannada districts. In the South, it is separated from the Cannanore district of Kerala by the Brahmagiri range of hills. Its maximum length is 96 km (north - south ) and breadth 64 km (east - west). The area of the district is 4102.3 sq. km with an estimated population of 4,85,299 as per 1991 census.
The People :
The natives of Kodagu are called Kodavas. Kodavas are a Hindu Kshatriya tribe with a very unique and distinct culture which depicts its martial agrarian nature. Kodavas can be easily distinguished from other dravidian cultures . Men wear a traditional Kupya which is a long, black, button less, short sleeved, V-neck coat, reaching below the knees and a chaley, a beautifully tasseled silken sash, at the waist. Women wear the sari in a distinct fashion where the pallu doesn't go over the shoulder but around the back over the other shoulder and a beautifully crafted pin on the right collar bone holds it in place.
This tiny district also has the distinction of having produced many sports persons who have brought glory to the state well as to the country.Some of the most courageous and famous army men were from Coorg. Serving in the Army used to be a way of life. Almost every family had at least one member in the Armed forces.
Coorg has 3 golf courses (Mercara Downs, Bittangala and Polibetta), 2 of which are full-fledged 18 hole courses and one is a shorter 9-hole course. Many factors have contributed to such a small district having 3 golf courses - relative affluence due to the cash crop cultivation, Army background/influence and an inherent interest in sport even among the gentlemen of distinguished age have all contributed.
When India became independent in 1947, Kodagu (Coorg) also became a free land. In 1950 as per the new Indian Constitution, Coorg became a state. In 1956 a state reorganization took place, when it was made part of the then Mysore state (Now Karnataka). It has 3 taluks or districts, Madikeri, Somavarapet and Virajpet. Madikeri is also the district headquarters of Coorg.
This place is most famous for the coffee grown here. Coorg also grows copious amounts of cardamom, pepper, rice, ginger, oranges and many other cash crops albeit in lesser quantities. Recently ,floriculture has caught on in a big way and the products from Coorg have already achieved recognition as being among the best !
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