Reservations : +91 80 4618 4444
Coorg. Known throughout the world as the ‘Coffee Cup of India’, is a perfect home away from home for the discerning traveler. A lush plantation paradise punctuated by pristine forests, this land has a unique charm of its own which has not been spoilt by the intrusive hand of man. Fresh air, captivating sounds of nature and the heavy fragrance of seasonal coffee blossoms refresh one’s senses.
In this Blog on Coorg, we take you on a trail of tropical evergreen forests, to a long – gone era of tales of a land in sprawling homesteads. Spiced with a dash of the local lore and sprinkled with a colonial legacy it is a bastion of an age bygone. And your experiences can find a place here as well. Come home to a Blog on Coorg!
Centuries ago, a Kodava bridegroom had to walk long distances from his okka (patrilineal clan home) through dense forests, to the house of his bride and back. The trip was fraught with danger. Being attacked by wildlife and rivals was common. The bridegroom as well as the males in his party had to be well…
When Evolve Back Resorts asked me to help them set up the Sidapur Coffee and Culture Museum at the resort in Chikkana Halli Estate, Coorg, I didn’t know I would be embarking on such an interesting journey, full of fascinating discoveries. We decided that the museum would have sections on various related topics. The story…
Traditionally Coorg is known to produce spices like cardamom and pepper. The local cuisine is prominently influenced by what they grow. The uniqueness in the cuisine comes from the ingredients readily available that are mostly discovered in most Kodava homes. Coorg cuisine uses coconut as a base for most of its curries, except for pandi curry…
According to the Hindu calendar, Kakkada is the period from mid-July to mid-August. On the 18th day of this month in Coorg, the colour purple takes on a whole different hue. Falling approximately on the 2nd or 3rd of August each year, this is the day when the locals pick the leaves of a plant…
Chikka Veerarajendra, the last king of Coorg (Kodagu), was 34-years-old when he was evicted from the throne by the East India Company. He was ignominiously exiled first to Vellore, and then permanently at Benares. On 24 April 1834, the Raja along with his thirteen wives, and an entourage of other women and servants, exited Madikeri…
In my previous article I discussed the seasonal nature of Kodava cuisine. Kodavas also have certain dishes that are connected to particular festivals. Mid august or September, is the calling of the huntsmen. They would put away all their agricultural tools and bring out their guns and weapons of their clan, which was cleaned and…
On a grey, rainy monsoon day in Madikeri, I step into our family jeweller’s store. I see a lavish display of elaborately worked Kodava jewellery in gold and silver. My mind buzzes with questions about the possible origins and design influences. The kadagas (bangles), necklaces (kokkethathi, pathak, joomale and paunch) and the peechai kathi (the ceremonial…
Kodava cuisine is very dependent on seasonal produce as the region was inaccessible for many centuries. This resulted in a cuisine very unique compared to its neighbours. Foraging was the way of life for the locals. Now, Coorg is easily accessible and has become a tourist destination. Coorg has all year round produce from its…
The very mention of Coorg, conjures up images of lush green driveways, sweet aroma of seasonal coffee beans, emerald green paddy fields, pepper harvests in bounteous plantations, nifty homestays and luxury resorts. No wonder Coorg was a prized possession during the British era in India – after all, it isn’t called ‘Scotland of India’ for…
The Nadkerianda Ainmane in Karada, Coorg is a magnificent specimen of a mund mane or house with an inner courtyard. Typically, most Ainmanes face east, unless there is a shrine nearby, in which case the entrance faces the shrine. Like most traditional houses, Ainmanes have a host of interesting architectural details, where form follows function….