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Relax! It's Coorg

Heritage homes, undulating valleys and coffee... Coorg is simply fascinating

Coorg beckoned. We responded using a time-share package. Upscale living for a few days in a mountainous area at an elevation of 4,000 ft., on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats, salubrious climate, breathtaking greenery interspersed with blue in the distance, and lip-smacking cuisine right at one's doorstep. What more can one ask for?

Tibetan haven

En route, we halted briefly at Bylekuppe on the Bangalore-Madikeri highway, a Tibetan settlement formed by the Dalai Lama, and funded by the Swiss Government in collaboration with the Government of India.

The atmosphere in the settlement was peaceful. The soft footfall of saffron clothed monks, their chanting and prayers seemed to merge with the environment, stilling our minds and hearts.

The walking areas were paved with clay tiles, leading to temples in brilliant colours of red, green, yellow and gold, loud and gaudy, but beautiful in their own way.

For some trinkets

The famous Namdroling Monastery is located here, and giant gold Buddhas grace each temple. The silence is so restful that you feel like closing your eyes and contemplating the world The handicrafts shop wasn't much really, apart from ornate bells, wind chimes, carpets and some trinkets.

We woke up to the sound of whistling, clear as a bell. To our delight, we found it was a bird that warbled this song every morning of our stay. Our balcony overlooked a dense forest and the shades of green shifted incessantly as the sunlight played tricks on them.

Originally called Kodimalenad, which meant thick forestland on the hills, Kodagu acquired its anglicised name Coorg when the East India Company annexed it in 1834.

Coorg, situated on the summits and eastern slopes of the Western Ghats, is just 4,102 sq.km. It's attractive only to Nature lovers, and not to city-bred folk who look for "something to do and something to buy."

Yes, of course, one can take home coffee seeds from the estates and pure honey that Coorg is famous for.

Unique architecture

The heritage homes of the Kodavas or Coorgis have social significance as a sacred living space. Each animane is particular to a particular okka or family and has its own rituals. Since our stay in Madikeri was short, we could not see any ancestral home.

The Kodagu Valley Resort consists of 62 luxurious apartments spread over 30 acres in a lush green valley abounding with coffee and cardamom plants and about 300 other species of vegetation.

There are Nature trails, jungle walks and bird watching tours if you like them.

The resort provides a host of outdoor and indoor activities.

It boasts Kodagu architecture — an animane with a centre courtyard, and pushkarna or a water body filled with rain water.

The resort is at different levels, and at each level, there are decks with chairs and tables.

Sip fresh juice sitting right there, or savour a hot cup of Coorg coffee while you take in the verdant landscape.

A short climb up a hillock afforded us with spectacular views of the forest and the resort.

There was also a small amphitheatre for those special evenings when you can sit with the family or have a picnic.

TEXT AND PHOTO BY SABITA RADHAKRISHNA

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