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By Dr K V Venkataramana In Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka, most of the farmers grow coconut trees in their courtyards or on their farms. They are perennial crops and yield income to farmers every year. Coconuts are used for culinary purpose as well as for extraction of oil which is used as hair oil. Coconut tree is revered as ‘ Kalpa Vriksha’ which means a wish-fulfilling tree by…

Rashtrakavi Kuvempu’s Ancestral House at Kuppali in Shivamogga District of Karnataka

By K V Venkataramana Kuvempu is the pen name of Kuppali Venkatappa Puttappa, who was one of the greatest poets of the 20th century, not only in Karnataka, but at the national level as well. Besides, he was a novelist, playwright and academic who endeared himself to the masses with his popular writings, during his lifetime (1904 -1994). As a child, Kuvempu grew up in his ancestral house at…

Sri Sharadamba Temple at Sringeri in Chikmagaluru District of Karnataka

Sringeri Sri Sharadamba temple located amidst the Sahyadri hills. Pic Courtesy: https://vedicgoddess.weebly.com/goddess-vidya-blog/sharada-maa Karnataka can boast of several pilgrim centres which attract devotees from several states, nay, from different parts of the country. Sringeri is one such where a temple is situated, dedicated to Sri Sharadamba (Sarasvati), the Goddess of Learning and…

Mandalpatti Viewpoint in Kodagu District of Karnataka

Thousands of tourists visit Kodagu district throughout the year on weekends or short holidays for it boasts of several sightseeing places scattered all over the district. The climate of the district is also quite conducive to tourists for most part of the year.

Mandalpatti viewpoint is about 18 kms away from Madikeri town, in Mandalpatti hills which is part of the Pushpagiri Wildlife…

Kaveri Nisargadhama – A Tiny Island Formed By River Kaveri in Kodagu District of Karnataka

Kodagu district in Karnataka boasts of several holiday destinations that draw hundreds of tourists from within the country and abroad throughout the year and Kaveri Nisargadhama is one such not to be missed.

Kaveri Nisargadhama is an island formed by River Kaveri at Kushalnagara in Kodagu district of Karnataka. This island has an area of approximately 64 acres. Tourists visit this island to enjoy…

Namdroling Monastery (Golden Temple) at Bylakuppe in Mysore District of Karnataka

Namdroling Monastery at Bylakuppe Tibetan colony was established by Drubwang Padma Norbu Rinporche in 1963 who was the 11th throne holder of the Palyul lineage of Tibet as the second seat of Palyul Monastery. In the beginning it was a structure made of bamboo of about 80 sq.feet. The original name of the monastery was Thegchog Namdrol Shedrub Dargyeling.

Later a new monastery was built in 1999…

When someone mentions ‘Dasara’ in Mysuru, where the Jumbo Savari takes place during Navaratri celebrations, in the presence of thousands of citizens and tourists, suddenly one is reminded of Dubare Elephant camp in Siddapura taluk of Kodagu district. It is in view of the fact that a few elephants that are maintained here by mahouts are taken to Mysuru for the regal parade during the Jumbo Savari.

Every Indian is aware that our Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the Swachh Bharat, or Clean India, Mission on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on October 2, 2014. This was a welcome step to project a better image of India to the outside world. Even the employees of public sector Banks in India came to appreciate the initiative of our Prime Minister as it was a laudable objective.…

Kodagu district boasts of several must-see places for a discerning tourist visiting this district. Abbey Falls (also spelled as Abbey or Abby Falls) is one of them drawing visitors from all corners of the country and even from abroad. It was earlier called Jessy Falls when the Coorg province was ruled by the British from 1834 to 1947; it was named after Jessy, the daughter of a British Chaplain,…

Tippu Sultan’s Summer Palace, Bengaluru

Tippu Sultan was a great warrior who fought against the British imperial forces of East India Company to save his kingdom.  He was also responsible for persecution of a large number of Hindus and Christians and their conversion to Islam. Besides, he destroyed many a place of  worship of Hindus in Kodagu district and elsewhere. There are also a few instances where he patronised a few temples.

Tipp…

Peraje Sri Shastavu Temple in Kodagu District of Karnataka

Sri Shastavu temple in Peraje village of Madikeri taluk in Kodagu district is believed to have been built during king Ballala period and is visited by devotees of Kodagu and Dakshina Kannada district every day. It is believed that Sri Shastavu is the previous avatar (manifestation) of Lord Sri Ayyappa. The temple is situated on the bank of Payaswini river surrounded by nature. It is situated…

Malla Sri Durga Parameshwari Temple Near Bovikana in Kasaragod District of Kerala

Malla Sri Durga Parameshwari temple is one of the famous temples in Kasaragod district of Kerala which attracts devotees from far and wide.

People in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts of Karnataka and many parts of Kerala visit Sri Malla (also called Mallam) Durga Parameshwari temple in Muliya village near Bovikana throughout the year to seek the blessings of Devi Durga Parameshwari who…

Home stays in Kodagu District of Karnataka, India

Kodagu district is the only district in Karnataka which is known as the ‘Scotland of India,’ in view of its hills, valleys, mountains, forests and waterfalls. Naturally, it is able to attract hordes of visitors all through the year.

Kodagu district boasts of hundreds of home stays which offer tourists nice accommodation, delicious local cuisine and glimpses of beautiful nature surrounding them.…

Sri Someshwara Temple, Halasuru, Bangalore

The second oldest temple, Sri Someshwara temple, is situated at Halasuru, Bangalore. The temple belongs to Chola period and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. According to a legend, once HiriyaKempe Gowda II went on a hunt in the forest far away from his capital, Yalahanka, and as he was tired he rested under a tree when Lord Shiva appeared in a dream to him and instructed him to build a temple in His…

Mega Doll Festival (JAGANMOHANAM) Held at Jaganmohan Palace Art Gallery, Mysuru

Dasara festival in Mysuru is a major event in Karnataka, which attracts visitors from all over the world. On this occasion,the Royal Palace at Mysuru is illuminated all through the ten days. It is also called Navaratri festival. Nava means nine and Ratri means nights. Dasara festivities come to an end on the tenth day called Vijaya Dashamiwhich is an important day in the Hindu calendar. On this…

Srirangapatna – A Historical Place Associated with Tipu Sultan, the ‘Tiger of Mysuru’

Tipu Sultan (1750 -1799) was the “Tiger of Mysuru” who ruled Mysuru from Srirangapatna during 1787 – 1799. He was a great warrior, scholar and poet. His father Hyder Ali was a Dalwai (military officer) in the kingdom of Mysuru to Krishnaraja Wodeyar II and then became a de facto ruler of Mysore kingdom. After his death in 1782, Tipu Sultan became the king of Mysuru.

Tipu Sultan had fought four…

Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Srirangapatna – A Place of Pilgrimage

Just 19 kms from Mysore, on Mysore- Bangalore National Highway, lies Srirangapatna which got its name from the famous Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple which is situated on an island formed by River Kaveri. Along the course of the river Kaveri, there are three Sri Ranganatha Swamy temples, incidentally all of them being located in the islands surrounded by the Kaveri river; the first among them in the…