Madikeri

Madikeri (also Mercara) is a beautiful hill station and capital of Kodagu region of Karnataka State, between Mangalore and Mysore. It has a population of over 33,000 people (2011).

Understand
The history of Madikeri is related to the history of Kodagu. Kodagu became the part of British India after 1834.

The history of Madikeri is related to the history of Kodagu. From the 2nd to 6th century AD, the northern part of Kodagu was ruled by Kadambas. The southern part of Kodagu was ruled by Gangas from 4th to 11th century. After defeating the Gangas in the 11th century, Cholas became the rulers of Kodagu. In the 12th century, Cholas lost Kodagu to the Hoysalas. Kodagu fell to the Vijayanagar kings in the 14th century. After their fall, the local chieftains (Palegars) started ruling their areas directly. These were defeated by the Haleri kings who ruled Kodagu from 1600-1834 AD. Haleri kings made the place Haleri, near Madikeri as their capital. Mudduraja, the third king among the Haleri kings started levelling the land around Madikeri and built a fort in the year 1681. This place was named as Muddurajakeri which later became Madikeri. Kodagu became part of British India after 1834.

The traditional sari is worn here in reverse, and you can still see older women wearing it in the traditional Kodagu style.

By road
Madikeri lies on the Karnataka State Highway 88 that runs from Mysore to Mangalore. It is 120 km west of Mysore and 136 km southeast of Mangalore. From Bangalore, the state capital of Karnataka, take the State Highway 17 (Bangalore-Mysore highway) and take a deviation just after the town of Srirangapatna to join State Highway 88 towards Madikeri. From Bangalore, Madikeri is at a distance of 252 km. The nearby towns are Hassan (115 km) in Karnataka and Kannur and Tellicherry in Kerala (each around 115 km away).

By rail
Madikeri does not have a railway station. The nearest railheads are in Hassan, Kasaragod, Cannanore and Tellicherry (each of which are almost equidistant 115 km away). Mysore and Mangalore have railway stations with very good rail connectivity and are good alternatives to reach Madikeri.

By air
Madikeri does not have an airport. The nearest airports are in Mangalore (136 km away) and Kozhikode (180 km). Bangalore Airport is an alternative. However, Kannur International Airport, which started services in 2018, is now the closest airport to Madikeri.

Get around
Taxis and autorickshaws are available at reasonable rates. Local buses are not available in plenty. Walking may look tedious inside the town but once you are one km away from the main road it is a very pleasant experience with the smell of coffee piercing your nose.

Madikeri Fort
This 19th century fort, in the centre of Madikeri, houses a Ganesha temple, a chapel, a district prison and a small museum. The fort offers a beautiful view of Madikeri. Mercara, the headquarters of Kodagu district, was founded by Prince Mudduraja of the Haleri Dynasty in 1681 CE, and was named after him as Muddurajanakeri -- which became "Muddukayray" and Madikeri over time.

Mudduraja built a mud fort and a palace inside the fort, in the last quarter of the 17th century. This fort was later rebuilt of granite masonry, after it was captured by the "Tiger of Mysore" Tipu Sultan. Tipu named it Jaffarabad. In 1790, Doddaveer Rajendra took possession of the fort, and in April 1834, the British took control of it.

Built on an elevated area, the fort has been described as an "irregular hexagon" on plan, almost confirming to the shape of the hilltop. There are six circular bastions at the angles, the entrance on the east is intricate and circuitious and guarded by three successive gates.

Majestically looking over the area are two life-sized elephants made of mortar in the north-east corner of the entrance. A small but imposing church at the south-east corner was built in 1855 and is home to an archaeological museum (photography prohibited inside). The palace, renovated by Lingarajendra Wodeyar II in 1812-1814, accommodates government offices.

Trekking

 * Brahmagiri. Wild life sanctuary near Nagarahole National Park. Trekking distance 24 km to and from (80 km from Madikeri).
 * Igguthappa Kundu. Trekking distance 12 km to and from (40 km from Madikeri).
 * KoteBetta (5400 ft). Trekking distance 14 km to and from (22 km from Madikeri).
 * Nishanimotte. Trekking distance 12 km to and from (6 km from Madikeri).
 * Pushpagiri (5626 ft). Trekkers can cross to Subramanya, in Dakshina Kannada district from Pushpagiri Range.
 * Thadiyandamole (5729 ft). Micro hotspot of bio-diversity in South India, the Trekkers paradise. Breathtaking views of Arabian sea and Kerala coast.

Buy
Madikeri is famous for coffee and pork, you can also try for good quality liquor which suites the local condition



Eat


Madikeri is famous for pork. It is one of the few places in India where pork is a delicacy.

Vegetarians may like Kanika International in Kushal Nagar. However it is at the foothills of Madikeri & one may not like it as there is no good view of the hills there.



Drink
Most hotels come with attached bars. There are several liquor shops attached throughout the city.

Sleep

 * Heritage Resort: It is 11 km from Madikeri. It is set on a slope. About 10 cottages. No room service. One has to trek to the top to the restaurant. Food is just okay. Hospitality is excellent. Breakfast is not ready before 8:30AM. Always have a vehicle when you travel to Coorg as every place is so far off.

Mid-range

 * Misty Mercara: in the heart of Mercara with a serene lush green ambience. Contact- +91 9742552547
 * Misty Mercara: in the heart of Mercara with a serene lush green ambience. Contact- +91 9742552547
 * Misty Mercara: in the heart of Mercara with a serene lush green ambience. Contact- +91 9742552547
 * Misty Mercara: in the heart of Mercara with a serene lush green ambience. Contact- +91 9742552547
 * Misty Mercara: in the heart of Mercara with a serene lush green ambience. Contact- +91 9742552547
 * Misty Mercara: in the heart of Mercara with a serene lush green ambience. Contact- +91 9742552547
 * Misty Mercara: in the heart of Mercara with a serene lush green ambience. Contact- +91 9742552547
 * Misty Mercara: in the heart of Mercara with a serene lush green ambience. Contact- +91 9742552547

Go next

 * Chikmagalur
 * Honnamana Kere - A religious site and tourist destination
 * Mangalore
 * Mysore.