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Glimpses of India Coorg

Coorg, also known as Kodagu, is a district in Karnataka known for its natural beauty and biodiversity. It has evergreen forests, hills and plantations of coffee and spices. The people of Coorg are believed to have Greek or Arabic origins and have unique cultural traditions and bravery in battle. The district offers adventure activities and trekking opportunities amidst its natural scenery.

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Rizwana Begum
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398 views4 pages

Glimpses of India Coorg

Coorg, also known as Kodagu, is a district in Karnataka known for its natural beauty and biodiversity. It has evergreen forests, hills and plantations of coffee and spices. The people of Coorg are believed to have Greek or Arabic origins and have unique cultural traditions and bravery in battle. The district offers adventure activities and trekking opportunities amidst its natural scenery.

Uploaded by

Rizwana Begum
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Glimpses of India Coorg

MIDWAY between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore sits a piece of
heaven that must have drifted from the kingdom of god. This land of rolling
hills is inhabited by a proud race of martial men, beautiful women and wild
creatures.
 
Drifted from- been carried along gently by hair
Martial- having to do with war
 
Coorg, a place so beautiful that it seems like a piece of heaven has drifted
away from God’s kingdom and has settled on the Earth. It is somewhere
between Mysore and Mangalore. It is an area with low hills of unequal height.
The men are brave warrior, the women of Coorg are pretty. The place has a
variety of wild animals too.

Coorg, or Kodagu, the smallest district of Karnataka, is home to evergreen


rainforests, spices and coffee plantations. Evergreen rainforests cover thirty
percent of this district. During the monsoons, it pours enough to keep many
visitors away. The season of joy commences from September and continues
till March. The weather is perfect, with some showers thrown in for good
measure. The air breathes of invigorating coffee. Coffee estates and colonial
bungalows stand tucked under tree canopies in prime corners.

Canopies- roof-like coverings made of trees that form a shelter


Prime- here, best
Invigorating- strong (here)
 
Also known as Kodagu, it is one of the smallest districts of Karnataka. 30% of
the area of Coorg is covered with evergreen rainforests and the place
receives rain for most part of the year, especially during the monsoon season.
The period from September to March is ideal for visiting Coorg. The weather
is pleasant and there is some rain which makes it worthwhile.  The air is filled
with the strong fragrance of coffee due to the abundant coffee plantations.
 
The fiercely independent people of Coorg are possibly of Greek or Arabic
descent. As one story goes, a part of Alexander’s army moved south along the
coast and settled here when return became impractical. These people married
amongst the locals and their culture is apparent in the martial traditions,
marriage and religious rites, which are distinct from the Hindu mainstream.
The theory of Arab origin draws support from the long, black coat with an
embroidered waist-belt worn by the Kodavus. Known as kuppia, it resembles
the kuffia worn by the Arabs and the Kurds.
 
Mainstream- a tradition which most people follow
Tales of Valour- stories of courage and bravery, usually in a war
Descent- origin
 
 
The people of Coorg are believed to be of Greek or Arabic background and
are generally ferocious. This theory came into being because of their dressing
style. They are generally seen wearing long and black coat with embroidered
waist belt known as Kuppia. Kuppia is similar to the kuffia worn by Arabs and
Kurds. It is also rumoured that some people of Alexander’s army could not
return to their homeland and so, settled here while returning from the south.
The people of Coorg marry each other and their cultures as well as rituals are
very different from the ones followed by Hindus.

Coorgi homes have a tradition of hospitality, and they are more than willing to
recount numerous tales of valour related to their sons and fathers. The Coorg
Regiment is one of the most decorated in the Indian Army, and the first Chief
of the Indian Army, General Cariappa, was a Coorgi. Even now, Kodavus are
the only people in India permitted to carry firearms without a licence.
 
Most decorated- having received the maximum number of awards for bravery
in a war
 
The people are very welcoming and warm in nature. They are always ready to
entertain with stories of their ancestors. They are known to be independent,
ferocious and brave which is evident from the fact that the Coorg regiment in
the Indian army has received the maximum number of awards for bravery.
The first chief of the Indian Army named General Cariappa belonged to
Coorg. Also, these are the only people permitted to carry firearms freely unlike
others who need a licence. This shows that the Coorgis are reliable too.
 

The river, Kaveri, obtains its water from the hills and forests of Coorg.
Mahaseer — a large freshwater fish — abound in these waters. Kingfishers
dive for their catch, while squirrels and langurs drop partially eaten fruit for the
mischief of enjoying the splash and the ripple effect in the clear water.
Elephants enjoy being bathed and scrubbed in the river by their mahouts.

Mischief- playful behaviour


Ripple effect- a small wave or series of waves on the surface of water,
especially as caused by a slight breeze or an object dropping into it
Mahouts- a person who works with, rides, and tends an elephant

The evergreen forests and hills of Coorg provide water to river Kaveri, a major
river in South India. A large freshwater fish called Mahaseer is found in these
waters and is looked for by the birds. Squirrels and langurs play in these
waters by throwing half-eaten fruits whereas elephants enjoy bathing in it.

The most laidback individuals become converts to the life of high-energy


adventure with river rafting, canoeing, rappelling, rock climbing and mountain
biking. Numerous walking trails in this region are a favourite with trekkers.
 
Laidback-relaxed, not in a hurry
Rafting- travelling in a river in a raft (a floating platform made by tying planks
together)
Canoeing- travelling in a river in a canoe (a large, narrow boat)
Rappelling- going down a cliff by sliding down a rope
Trails- paths created by walking

The tourists who visit Coorg to relax in the natural beauty of the place also get
attracted towards the various adventure sports activities available like river
rafting, canoeing, rappelling, rock climbing and mountain climbing. The hills
have various paths formed by footsteps of walkers who trek there.

Birds, bees and butterflies are there to give you company. Macaques, Malabar
squirrels, langurs and slender loris keep a watchful eye from the tree canopy. I
do, however, prefer to step aside for wild elephants.

While taking a walk in their region, one may find a variety of animals around
them. Birds, bees and butterflies fly around you while squirrels and langurs
keep an eye on you from the trees. Wild elephants can also be found in
Coorg.

The climb to the Brahmagiri hills brings you into a panoramic view of the entire
misty landscape of Coorg. A walk across the rope bridge leads to the sixty-
four-acre island of Nisargadhama. Running into Buddhist monks from India’s
largest Tibetan settlement, at nearby Bylakuppe, is a bonus. The monks, in
red, ochre and yellow robes, are amongst the many surprises that wait to be
discovered by visitors searching for the heart and soul of India, right here in
Coorg.
Panoramic view- a view of a wide area of land

To have an overall look at the beautiful city of Coorg, one must climb up to the
Brahmagiri hills. Coorg is surrounded by astounding places of beauty like the
island of Nisargadhama and Bylakuppe which is India’s largest Tibetan
settlement. Monks wearing red, orange and yellow coloured garments can
also be found in the district of Coorg where their lifestyle is a fascinating view
for the travellers.  A mix of diverse cultures can be seen here which represent
the heart and soul of India.

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