This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone and/or spelling. You can assist by editing it now. A how-to guide is available, as is general documentation. This article has been tagged since January 2007.

Location of the Kodagu district with respect to the other districts of Karnataka.

Kodagu (Kannada:ಕೊಡಗು) is a district of Karnataka state in southern India. It is often called by the anglicised name of Coorg. It occupies about 4,100 km² in the Western Ghats of southwestern Karnataka. It had a population of 548,561 as of 2001, 13.74% of which is urbanised. Image File history File links Information_icon. ... Karnātakā   (Kannada: ಕನಾ೯ಟಕ) (IPA: ) is one of the four southern states of India. ... A time zone is a region of the Earth that has adopted the same standard time, usually referred to as the local time. ... Location of Mirzapur and the 82. ... Area is a physical quantity expressing the size of a part of a surface. ... The divisions of a district. ... Madikeri ಮಡಿಕೇರಿ is the principal town of the district of Kodagu, in Karnataka state, southern India. ... The equivalent terms tehsil, tahsil, tahasil, taluka, taluk, and taluq refer to a unit of government in some countries of the Indian subcontinent. ... Madikeri ಮಡಿಕೇರಿ is the principal town of the district of Kodagu, in Karnataka state, southern India. ... The town of Somwarpet (sometimes written Somvarpet) is in the district of Kodagu, in Karnataka. ... The town of Virajpet is the second town of the district of Kodagu, in Karnataka. ... Population density by country, 2006 Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. ... 1991 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Indian Postal services employ a 6 digit postal code known as a Postal Index Number (similar to the 5 digit ZIP Codes in USA) that is spanned and geopolitically ordered across the nation. ... For the past decade or so, telecommunication activities have gained momentum in India. ... Licence plates on the back of a taxi in Kolkata. ... Image File history File links KarnatakaKodagu. ... Karnataka state is comprised of 27 districts, grouped into four divisions. ... Kannada (ಕನ್ನಡ ) is one of the major Dravidian languages of southern India and one of the oldest languages in India. ... Karnataka state is comprised of 27 districts, grouped into four divisions. ... Karnātakā   (Kannada: ಕನಾ೯ಟಕ) (IPA: ) is one of the four southern states of India. ... India is subdivided into twenty-eight states and seven union territories; the states and territories are themselves further subdivided. ... The Agasthiyamalai range of the Western Ghats The Western Ghats are a mountain range in India. ...

It is bordered by Dakshina Kannada to the northwest, Hassan District to the north, Mysore District to the east, Kannur District of Kerala state to the southwest and Wayanad district of Kerala to the south. The district headquarters is Madikeri. Location of Dakshina Kannada district with respect to the other districts of Karnataka. ... Hassan (Kannada : ಹಾಸನ) is a district in Karnataka state, India. ... Mysore District (Kannada ಮೈಸೂರು) is an administrative district located in Karnataka, India. ... For the town with the same name, see Kannur. ... Kerala ( ; Malayalam: കേരളം; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of southwestern India. ... For the district with the same name, see Wayanad District. ... Madikeri ಮಡಿಕೇರಿ is the principal town of the district of Kodagu, in Karnataka state, southern India. ...

Geography

Panoramic view of Tadiandamol

Kodagu lies on the eastern slope of the Western Ghats. It is a hilly district; the lowest elevation is 900m above sea-level. The highest peak, Tadiandamol, has an altitude of 1,750m; Pushpagiri is 1,715m high. The principal river is the Kaveri River (Cauvery), which rises at Talakaveri on the eastern side of the Western Ghats, and with its tributaries drains the greater part of Kodagu. In the rainy season, particularly the southwest monsoon from June to the end of September, the rivers flow with violence and great rapidity. In July and August the rainfall is high, and the month of November is often showery. The yearly rainfall may exceed 4,000mm; in the dense jungle tract it reaches 3,000 to 3,800mm; in the bamboo district in the west it reaches from 1,500 to 2,500mm. Kodagu has an average temperature of about 15 °C, the extremes being 11 °C and 28 °C. The hottest season is in April and May. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1580x709, 343 KB) Summary Tadiandamol panorama, Coorg Photo by L. Shyamal, Coorg, 2006 Licensing File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Kodagu Tadiandamol Metadata This file contains additional... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1580x709, 343 KB) Summary Tadiandamol panorama, Coorg Photo by L. Shyamal, Coorg, 2006 Licensing File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Kodagu Tadiandamol Metadata This file contains additional... The Agasthiyamalai range of the Western Ghats The Western Ghats are a mountain range in India. ... Tadiandamol mountain behind the clouds Tadiandamol is a mountain in Kodagu district of the Indian state of Karnataka. ... Pushpagiri (1,712 m)[1] is the highest peak in Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary in south-western Indias Western Ghats. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... Categories: Stub ...

The principal town and district capital is Madikeri or Mercara, with a population of around 30,000. Other significant towns are Virajpet (Viraranjendrapet), and Somwarpet. The district is divided into the three administrative talukas of Madikeri, Virajpet, and Somwarpet. Madikeri ಮಡಿಕೇರಿ is the principal town of the district of Kodagu, in Karnataka state, southern India. ... The town of Virajpet is the second town of the district of Kodagu, in Karnataka. ... The town of Somwarpet (sometimes written Somvarpet) is in the district of Kodagu, in Karnataka. ... A taluka is an administrative division in India below a district; called tahsil/tehsil in northern India. ...

Representation and politics

At present, three Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) are elected from Kodagu to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, one each from Madikeri, Virajpet and Somwarpet talukas. Kodagu is part of the Mangalore Lok Sabha Parliament constituency. Karnātakā   (Kannada: ಕನಾ೯ಟಕ) (IPA: ) is one of the four southern states of India. ... A Legislative Assembly in some parts of the Commonwealth refers to a legislature, or a chamber of the legislature. ... Madikeri ಮಡಿಕೇರಿ is the principal town of the district of Kodagu, in Karnataka state, southern India. ... The town of Virajpet is the second town of the district of Kodagu, in Karnataka. ... The town of Somwarpet (sometimes written Somvarpet) is in the district of Kodagu, in Karnataka. ... It has been suggested that Kudla be merged into this article or section. ... Lok Sabha The Lok Sabha (House of the People) is the lower house in the Parliament of India. ...

Kodagu was reduced from statehood to the status of a district in 1956. The Coorg National Council has been active in the region, demanding statehood, dereservation of the scheduled tribe constituency, a separate Lok Sabha constituency, and autonomy. Coorg National Council, political party in the Indian state of Karnataka. ... Ādivāsīs (आदिवासी) or tribal peoples comprise a substantial minority of the population of India. ...

Flora and fauna

Much of the district is cultivated. Characteristic scenery has rice fields in valley bases, with plantation crops with tree cover in the surrounding hills. The most common plantations grow coffee (especially C. robusta although some parts of south Coorg grow C. arabica); however many other crops are grown, including black pepper, para rubber, teak, and cocoa. In many regions there is still natural forest, especially the forest reserves in the south and east. Binomial name Piper nigrum L. Black pepper (Piper nigrum) is a flowering vine in the family Piperaceae, cultivated for its fruit, which is usually dried and used as a spice and seasoning. ... Latex being collected from a tapped rubber tree Rubber is an elastic hydrocarbon polymer which occurs as a milky colloidal suspension (known as latex) in the sap of several varieties of plants. ... Species Tectona grandis Tectona hamiltoniana Tectona philippinensis Teak (Tectona), also called jati, is a genus of tropical hardwood trees in the family Verbenaceae, native to the south and southeast of Asia, and is commonly found as a component of monsoon forest vegetation. ... Cocoa beans in a cacao pod Cocoa is the dried and partially fermented fatty seed of the cacao tree from which chocolate is made. ...

Kodagu is considered very rich in wildlife. The district has three wildlife sanctuaries: Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, Talakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary, and Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, and one national park, Nagarahole or Rajiv Gandhi National Park. Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is one of 21 Wildlife Sanctuaries[1] of Indias Karnataka state. ... Nagarhole National Park is located 94 km away from Mysore. ...

The flora of the jungle includes Michelia champaca (Champak), Mesua (Ironwood), Diospyros (Ebony and other species), Toona ciliata (Indian mahogany), Chickrassia tubularis (Redcedar), Calophyllum angustifolium (Poon spar), Canarium strictum (Black Dammar), Artocarpus, Dipterocarpus, Garcinia, Euonymus, Cinnamomum, Myristica, Vaccinium, Myrtaceae, Melastomataceae, Rubus (three species), and a rose. In the undergrowth are found cardamom, Areca, plantains, canes, wild Black pepper, tree and other ferns, and arums. In the forest of the less thickly-wooded bamboo country in the west of Kodagu the most common trees are the Dalbergia latifolia (Black wood), Pterocarpus marsupium (Kino tree), Terminalia tomentosa (Matthi), Lagerstroemia parviflora (Benteak), Anogeissus latifolia (Dindul), Bassia latifolia, Butea monosperma (Flame of the Forest, made infamous in colonial Indian history due to its association with the Battle of Plassey), Nauclea parvifiora, and several species of Acacia, with which, in the eastern part of the district, Teak and Sandalwood occur. Among the fauna may be mentioned the Asian Elephant, Tiger, Leopard, Dhole, Gaur, Boar, and several species of deer. The area is rich in birdlife although they are threatened by hunting. Species about 50; see text Michelia is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the Magnolia family (Magnoliaceae). ... Binomial name about 50; see text Species about 50; see text Michelia is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the Magnolia family (Magnoliaceae). ... Ironwood, Michigan is a city in the upper peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. ... Species 450-500; see text Diospyros is a genus (including what used to be Maba) of about 450-500 species of deciduous and evergreen trees. ... Binomial name Diospyros ebenum Koenig ex Retz. ... species See text. ... Species Calophyllum amoenum Calophyllum angulare Calophyllum angustifolium Calophyllum antillanum Calophyllum australianum Calophyllum austroindicum Calophyllum bicolor Calophyllum biflorum Calophyllum blancoi Calophyllum bracteatum Calophyllum brasiliense Calophyllum cholobtaches Calophyllum calaba Calophyllum caledonicum Calophyllum candidissimum Calophyllum canum Calophyllum carrii Calophyllum cerasiferum Calophyllum collinum Calophyllum cordato-oblongum Calophyllum coriaceum Calophyllum costatum Calophyllum curtisii Calophyllum dasypodum... Species See text Canarium is a genus of about 75 species of tropical trees in the family Burseraceae, native to tropical Africa and southern Asia, from southern Nigeria east to Madagascar, Mauritius, India, southern China, Indonesia and the Philippines. ... Species See text Artocarpus is a genus of about 60 trees of Southeast Asian origin and the Pacific, belonging to the mulberry family Moraceae. ... Species About 70 species; see text Dipterocarpus is a genus of about seventy species, occurring in southeastern Asia. ... Species Garcinia atroviridis Garcinia benthami Garcinia cambogia - citrin, gambooge Garcinia hanburyi - Hanburys garcinia Garcinia hessii - lemon saptree Garcinia indica Garcinia kola - bitter kola Garcinia lateriflora Garcinia livingstonei - Livingstones garcinia, imbe Garcinia mangostana - mangosteen Garcinia merguensis Garcinia multiflora Garcinia myrtifolia Garcinia portoricensis Garcinia schombucgkiana Garcinia xanthochymus Garcinia is a... Species Euonymus alatus - Winged Spindle Euonymus americanus - Strawberry-bush Spindle Euonymus atropurpureus - Eastern Burning-bush Euonymus europaeus - European Spindle Euonymus fortunei - Fortunes Spindle Euonymus japonicus - Japanese Spindle Euonymus obovatus - Euonymus occidentalis - Western Burning-bush The spindles, genus Euonymus, comprise about 170-180 species of deciduous and evergreen shrubs and... Species See text Cinnamomum is a genus of evergreen trees and shrubs belonging to the Laurel family, Lauraceae. ... Species About 100 species, including: Myristica argentea Myristica fragrans Myristica malabarica The nutmegs Myristica are a genus of evergreen trees indigenous to tropical southeast Asia and Australasia. ... Species See text Vaccinium is a genus of shrubs in the plant Family Ericaceae including the cranberry, blueberry, bilberry or whortleberry, cowberry or lingonberry, and huckleberry. ... Genera 130; see list The Myrtaceae or Myrtle family are a family of dicotyledon plants, placed within the order Myrtales. ... Genera See text. ... Species See text. ... Species Between 100 and 150, see list Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Rosa A rose is a flowering shrub of the genus Rosa, and the flower of this shrub. ... Genera Aframomum Amomum Elettaria The name cardamom (sometimes written cardamon) is used for species within three genera of the Ginger family (Zingiberaceae), namely Elettaria, Amomum and Aframomum. ... Species (Betel nut palm) and about 50 more Areca is a genus of about 50 species of single-stemmed palms in the family Arecaceae, found in humid tropical forests from Malaysia to the Solomon Islands. ... Species Musa × paradisiaca A big load of plantains in Masaya, Nicaragua Cooking plantains (pronounced plan-TENZ or plan-TAINZ) are a kind of plantains that are generally used for cooking, as contrasted with the soft, sweet banana varieties (which are sometimes called dessert bananas). ... Binomial name Piper nigrum L. Black pepper (Piper nigrum) is a flowering vine in the family Piperaceae, cultivated for its fruit, which is usually dried and used as a spice and seasoning. ... Tree Fern refers to any fern that grows with a trunk elevating the fronds above ground level. ... Classes Psilotopsida Equisetopsida Marattiopsida Pteridopsida (Polypodiopsida) A fern is any one of a group of about 20,000 species of plants classified in the phylum or division Pteridophyta, also known as Filicophyta. ... Genera See text. ... Diversity Around 91 genera and 1,000 species Subtribes Arthrostylidiinae Arundinariinae Bambusinae Chusqueinae Guaduinae Melocanninae Nastinae Racemobambodinae Shibataeinae See the full Taxonomy of the Bambuseae. ... Rosewood refers to a number of richly hued timbers, brownish with darker veining. ... Binomial name Pterocarpus marsupium Roxburgh The Indian Kino Tree (Pterocarpus marsupium), also known as the Malabar Kino, Benga (or Venkai) is native to India. ... Species See text. ... Species About 50, including: Lagerstroemia indica Lagerstroemia speciosa The Crape-myrtles Lagerstroemia are a genus of about 50 species of deciduous and evergreen trees or large shrubs native to east Asia and Australia. ... species Anogeissus is a genus of trees native to South Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, and Africa, belonging to family Combretaceae. ... The mahwa (Bassia latifolia Roxb. ... Species See text. ... Combatants British East India Company Siraj Ud Daulah, Nawab of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa, La Compagnie des Indes Orientales Commanders Colonel Robert Clive (later Governor of Bengal and Baron of Plassey) Mir Jafar Ali Khan, Commander-in-chief of the Nawab, M. Sinfray, French Secretary to the Council Strength 2... The Battle of Plassey was a battle that took place on June 23, 1757, near Plassey (Palashee (পলাশী) in Bengali), a small village on the Bhagirathi River (a distributary of Ganges River) located just north of Kolkata and south of Murshidabad in India. ... Species About 1,300; see List of Acacia species Acacia tree in the Serengeti, Tanzania Acacia is a genus of shrubs and trees of Gondwanian origin belonging to the subfamily Mimosoideae of the family Fabaceae, first described from Africa by Linnaeus in 1773. ... Species Tectona grandis Tectona hamiltoniana Tectona philippinensis Teak (Tectona), also called jati, is a genus of tropical hardwood trees in the family Verbenaceae, native to the south and southeast of Asia, and is commonly found as a component of monsoon forest vegetation. ... The branches of a young sandalwood tree found in Hawaii Sandalwood is the fragrant wood of trees in the genus Santalum. ... Binomial name Elephas maximus Linnaeus, 1758 Asian Elephant range The Asian or Asiatic Elephant (Elephas maximus), sometimes known by the name of its nominate subspecies (the Indian Elephant), is one of the three living species of elephant, and the only living species of the genus Elephas. ... Binomial name Panthera tigris (Linnaeus, 1758) Distribution of tigers in 1900 (red) and 1990 (green) Synonyms Felis tigris Linnaeus, 1758 Tigris striatus Severtzov, 1858 Tigris regalis pink, 1867 Tigers (Panthera tigris) are mammals of the Felidae family and one of four big cats in the Panthera genus. ... Binomial name Panthera pardus Linnaeus, 1758 Synonyms Felis pardus Linnaeus, 1758 The Leopard (Panthera pardus) is one of the four big cats of the genus Panthera. ... Binomial name Cuon alpinus (Pallas, 1811) The Dhole (Cuon alpinus) is a species of wild dog of the Canidae family. ... Binomial name Bos gaurus H. Smith, 1827 The Gaur (IPA gauɹ) (Bos gaurus, previously Bibos gauris) is a large, dark-coated ox of the hilly areas of South Asia and Southeast Asia, which may be found wild or domesticated. ... // Binomial name Sus scrofa Linnaeus, 1758 The Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) is the wild ancestor of the domestic pig. ... “Fawn” redirects here. ...

People

The population in 2001 was 545,322, increasing 11.64% from 1991 to 2001, and 5.75% from 1981 to 1991.

The people of the district are of a number of distinct ethnic or caste origins. Political and economic domination is with the Kodava community. Other communities include the Tulu, Are Bhase Gowda, Kodava Moplah, Malayali, Tamil, and other smaller communities. Languages Kodava Takk Religions Hinduism, Christianity Related ethnic groups Dravidian people Brahuis Kannadigas Malayalis Tamils Telugus Tuluvas The Kodava (written ಕೊಡವ in Kannada script) are a people of southern India, originating in the western region of Kodagu. ... Tulu is one of the minor languages of India with under 2,000,000 speakers. ... Gowda is usually the name given to the head of the family or family group in the state of Karnataka in India. ... The Mappilas (historically called Moplahs in Malayalam :മാപ്പിള) are a Syrian Malabar Nasrani and Muslim community in Kerala and neighbouring states and territories of India. ... Languages Malayalam (മലയാളം) Religions Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Related ethnic groups Dravidian people Brahui people Kannadigas Tamils Telugus Tuluvas Malayali or Malayalee(മലയാളി) is a name given to the inhabitants of the state of Kerala. ... Languages Tamil Religions Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Jainism Related ethnic groups Dravidian people Brahui people Kannadigas Malayalis Tamils Telugus Tuluvas Gonds The Tamil people are an ethnic group from the Indian subcontinent with a recorded history going back more than two millennia. ...

The Kodavas

See main article Kodava.

The Kodava community numbers about 100,000 in the district, out of a total population of over 500,000. They are of unknown origin, and are ethnically distinct from the other people of the area. Languages Kodava Takk Religions Hinduism, Christianity Related ethnic groups Dravidian people Brahuis Kannadigas Malayalis Tamils Telugus Tuluvas The Kodava (written ಕೊಡವ in Kannada script) are a people of southern India, originating in the western region of Kodagu. ... Languages Kodava Takk Religions Hinduism, Christianity Related ethnic groups Dravidian people Brahuis Kannadigas Malayalis Tamils Telugus Tuluvas The Kodava (written ಕೊಡವ in Kannada script) are a people of southern India, originating in the western region of Kodagu. ...

Other communities

^{[citation needed]}

The Yerava, or Ravula, live in Kodagu as well as in adjacent Kerala, where they are known as the Adiya. They are primarily Hindu agricultural workers. Among the other communities of Kodagu are the Heggades, cultivators from Malabar; the Ayiri, who constitute the artisan caste; the Medas, who are basket and mat-makers, and act as drummers at feasts; the Binepatta, originally wandering musicians from Malabar, now agriculturists; and the Kavadi, cultivators from Yedenalknad; all these groups speak Kodava Thak, and conform generally to Kodava customs and dress. Of the Tulu people, the Tuluva Gowdas, who live principally along in western Kodagu, are the most important; they speak Tulu and wear the Kodava ethnic dress during ceremonies. Devanga community is also a prominent community in Kodagu who were once part of the Kodagu Kings vast Army. Other castes and tribes are the Thiyas and Nairs(the warrior cast of kerala), immigrants from Kerala; the Vellala, who are Tamils; and the Marathi. Of the Muslims the most numerous are the Moplahs, who emigrated from Kerala, and the Shaikhs. Kerala ( ; Malayalam: കേരളം; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of southwestern India. ... This article discusses the adherents of Hinduism. ... Tulu is one of the minor languages of India with under 2,000,000 speakers. ... // Introduction Nair is the name of a caste in the Southern Indian state of Kerala. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into vellalar. ... Languages Tamil Religions Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Jainism Related ethnic groups Dravidian people Brahui people Kannadigas Malayalis Tamils Telugus Tuluvas Gonds The Tamil people are an ethnic group from the Indian subcontinent with a recorded history going back more than two millennia. ... Marathi is one of the widely spoken languages of India, and has a long literary history. ...

Languages

The local and endemic language is Kodava takk. Kodava Takk, often called Coorgi or Coorg language in English, is the original language of the south Karnataka district of Kodagu. ...

Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil and other languages of nearby communities are also spoken or widely understood in the district.

Economy

As a rural region, most of its economy has been based on agriculture, plantations, and forestry. Kodagu is one of the more prosperous parts of Karnataka. This is based primarily on its production of coffee and other plantation products. // This article is about crop plantations. ... A decidous beech forest in Slovenia. ...

Rice is cultivated in the valleys. A variety of other agricultural crops are also grown. Species Oryza glaberrima Oryza sativa Brown basmati rice Terrace of paddy fields in Yunnan Province, southern China. ...

Plantations of coffee became a characteristic of the district through the 20th century. They are typically planted on hillsides too steep for rice growing, and use the shade of existing forests. Coffee has been the source of much local wealth. A cup of coffee Workers sorting and pulping coffee beans in Guatemala Coffee is a widely consumed beverage prepared from the roasted seeds—commonly referred to as beans—of the coffee plant. ...

In recent years tourism of various types has started to become more important. In particular, plantation houses have been converted to take visitors, and walking and trekking holidays have become common.

History

See main article History of Kodagu

Kodagu has been an independent or semi-independent kingdom through much of its known history. Its boundaries varied, often taking in some of the surrounding country, especially toward the east. The modern district of Kodagu was incorporated into the state of Karnataka (then named Mysore) in 1956. The district of Kodagu in present-day Karnataka comprises the area of the erstwhile princely state of the same name. ... Karnātakā   (Kannada: ಕನಾ೯ಟಕ) (IPA: ) is one of the four southern states of India. ... 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The name

The name is Koḍagu in standard transliteration.

The name has alternative derivations. In one, it is said to be derived from the Kannada kudu, meaning steep or hilly. In the Puranas, Kodagu may be the land called Krodha desa, meaning 'Land of Anger' - the Kodavas here are described as Mleccha, meaning foreigners. It is also said that Kodagu is derived from the word Kodava, Kod means 'give' and avva means 'mother', i.e mother Kaveri, the river Kaveri. Kannada (ಕನ್ನಡ ) is one of the major Dravidian languages of southern India and one of the oldest languages in India. ... Purana (Sanskrit: , meaning tales of ancient times) is the name of an ancient Indian genre (or a group of related genres) of Hindu or Jain literature (as distinct from oral tradition). ... Mleccha (from Sanskrit म्लेच्छ mleccha, meaning non-Aryan, barbarian) is an Indian derogatory term for foreigners or people who do not speak Sanskrit and do not conform with conventional Hindu beliefs and practices. ... The Cauvery (sometimes written as Kaveri) is one of the major rivers of southern India. ...

The form often used by Europeans, Coorg is derived from this, by a transformation of the retroflex 'ḍ' to 'r' (cf. Maḍikeri to Mercara).

The people are called Kodava (sometimes pluralized as Kodavas in English). The people may also be called Coorgs or Coorgi in English. The name of the language is Kodava Takk.

Festivals

^{[citation needed]}

The Kodavas are traditionally warriors and agriculturists. Most of their rituals, traditions, and festivities center around their agriculture and martial bearing. Originally most of their lives were spent in the fields, cultivating and harvesting, wars, hunting for food, and guarding their fields from destructive wild animals. It is in this context that weaponry has become an integral part of their culture, with an emotional and religious significance.

There are three main festivals; the Festival of Arms or Kailpoldhu, Kaveri Shankaramana, and the harvest thanksgiving at Puttari (puthari). These three festivals fall during the period of September to December.

Kailpodhu

Kailpold is celebrated on the 3rd of September. That is, on the 18th day after the sun enters the Sinha (Leo) Raasi. Kail means weapon or armory, and Pold means festival. The day signifies the completion of "nati" - meaning the transplantation of the rice (paddy) crop.

Normally, during the months in which the family is engaged in the fields, all weapons are deposited in the "Kanni Kombare" or the prayer room. The festival also signifies the day that men should prepare to guard their crop from wild boars and other animals. Hence, on the Kailpoldu day, the weapons are taken out of the Pooja room, cleaned and decorated with flowers. They are then kept in the "Nellakki Nadubade" - central hall of the house, the place of community worship.

All the members of the family have a bath and worship the weapons. Feasting and drinking follow. The eldest member of the family hands over a gun to the senior member of the family, signifying the commencement of the festivities. The whole family assembles in the "Mand" (open ground), where physical contests and sports, including shooting, are conducted. In the earlier days hunting and cooking of the wild animals was part of the celebration, but these days the shooting skills are tested by firing at a coconut tied on to the branch of a tall tree.

In earlier days, there were sports like grabbing a coconut from the hands of a group of 8-10 people (thenge porata), throwing a stone about the size of a cricket ball at a coconut from a distance of 10-15 paces (thenge eed), lifting a stone ball of about 30-40cm lying at one's feet and throwing it backwards over the shoulders, etc.

Kaveri Sankramana

This festival normally takes place in mid-October. It is associated with the river Kaveri, which flows through the district from its source at Talakaveri. The Cauvery (sometimes written as Kaveri) is one of the major rivers of southern India. ... Categories: Stub ...

At a predetermined time, when the sun enters Tula Rasi (Tula sankramana,) a fountain from a small tank fills the bigger holy tank at Talakaveri. People throng in thousands to take a dip in this holy water. The water is collected in bottles and reaches every house in Kodagu, and this is called Theertha - holy water. This water is preserved in all Kodava houses, and a spoonful of this water is fed to the dying, in the belief that they will attain moksha (emancipation) and gain entry to heaven. Moksha - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ...

On this day, married women wearing new silk saris perform puja to a vegetable, usually a cucumber or a coconut, wrapped in a piece of red silk cloth and decorated with flowers and jewels, mainly 'Pathak' (Kodava Mangalasuthra), symbolizing the goddess Kaveri. This is called the Kanni Puje. Kanni means the goddess Parvati, who incarnated as Kaveri. Three sets of betel leaves and areca nut are kept in front of the goddess, with bunches of glass bangles. All the members of the family pray to the goddess by throwing rice and prostrating before the image. The elder members of the family ceremonially bless the younger. Then an older married woman draws water from the well and starts cooking. The menu of the day is dosa and vegetable curry ( usually pumpkin curry (kumbala kari) ) and payasa. Non-vegetarian food is not cooked on that day. This is the only festival wherein non-vegetarian food is not prepared. A traditional north Indian style sari. ... A puja as performed in Ujjain during the Monsoon on the banks of the overflowing river Shipra. ... Binomial name Piper betle L. The Betel (Piper betle) is a spice whose leaves have medicinal properties. ... Species (Betel nut palm) and about 50 more Areca is a genus of about 50 species of single-stemmed palms in the family Arecaceae, found in humid tropical forests from Malaysia to the Solomon Islands. ...

Puttari

Puttari means new rice, and is the rice harvest festival (also called huttari in adjacent Kannada-speaking country). This takes place in late November or early December. Celebrations and preparations for this festival start a week in advance.

On the Puttari day, the whole family assemble in their ain mane (the common family house) which is decorated with flowers and green mango and banana leaves. Specific foods are prepared: thambuttu, puttari, kari, and poli poli. Then the eldest member of the family hands a sickle to the head of the family, and one of the women leads a procession to the paddy fields, with a lit lamp in her hands. The path leading to the field is decorated. A gunshot is fired to mark the beginning of the harvest, with chanting of "Poli Poli Deva" (prosperity) by all the people present there. Then the symbolic harvesting of the crop begins. The rice is cut and stacked and tied in odd numbers, and is then carried home, to be offered to the gods there. The younger people then burst firecrackers and revel, symbolizing prosperity. Groups of youngsters then visit the neighboring houses and show off their dancing skills, and are given monetary gifts. A week later, this money is pooled and a community dinner of the entire village) is celebrated. All the family members gather for this meal. Dinner normally consists of meat dishes such as pork and fish curry. Alcoholic drinks are also served at such feasts.

Tourist attractions

Talakaveri: The place where River Kaveri originates. Categories: Stub ... The Kaveri River (also spelled Cauvery or Kavery) is one of the great sacred rivers of India. ...

Iruppu Falls: This is a sacred spot in south Kodagu on the Brahmagiri range of hills. River Lakshmana-tirtha flows nearby. Legend says that Rama and Lakshmana passed this way while searching for Sita. Rama asked Lakshmana to fetch some drinking water for him. Lakshmana shot an arrow into the Brahmagiri hills and brought into being the river Lakshmanatirtha. The river descends into a cataract known as the Iruppu Falls. This place is said to possess the power to cleanse one's sins and is visited by thousands of devotees on Shivaratri day. There is temple dedicated to Rama, surrounded by paddy fields, from which point it is a climb up to the falls through natural forest. The Lakshmana Tirtha is a river of India that has its origin in Kodagu district and flows eastward. ... Lord Sri Rama (center) with wife Sita, brother Lakshmana and devotee Hanuman. ... Lakshaman (far left) with Rama (centre), Sita (far right) and Hanuman (kneeling) - Bhaktivedanta Manor Hare Krishna temple, Watford, England Lakshmana (Sanskrit: लक्ष्मण; IAST Lakṣmaṇa) was the brother and close companion of Rama, and himself a hero in the famous epic Ramayana. Within Hindu tradition Lakshmana is considered to be... Lord Rama (center) with wife Sita, brother Lakshmana and devotee Hanuman. ... Maha Shivratri or Shivaratri (Night of Shiva) is an Hindu festival celebrated every year on the 14th day in the Krishna Paksha of the month Phalguna in the Hindu Calendar. ...

Abbey Falls: Scenic waterfall. Abbey Falls Abbey Falls (also Abbi Falls) is in Madikeri District in the Western Ghats in the state of Karnataka, India. ...

Dubare: This is mainly an elephant-capturing and training camp of the Forest Department, at the edge of Dubare forest, on the bank of the river Kaveri, on the Kushalanagara - Siddapur road. The wild elephants are tamed and trained with the help of other tamed elephants and local tribes (the Kurubas). The tamed elephants attend to various jobs during the day and in the evenings they come down to the river to bathe and to be scrubbed clean by their mahouts. The Cauvery (sometimes written as Kaveri) is one of the major rivers of southern India. ... Inside Kushalnagar Temple Kushalanagara is a town located in the east of Kodagu district, Karnataka state, on the Mysore-Madikeri road, near the Kaveri river. ... Siddapur is a panchayat town in Uttara Kannada district in the Indian state of Karnataka. ...

Nagarahole: A national park and wildlife resort. Nagarhole National Park is located 94 km away from Mysore. ...

Bhagamandala is situated at the confluence of two rivers, the Kaveri and the Kanika. A third river, the Sujyothi is said to join from underground. Bhagamandala is a pilgrimage place in Kodagu, Karnataka, in India. ...

Notes

References

• District government website
• Information on Kodava customs and society
• Chicago Kodavas Web link
• [Also look at Kodava]