Fitting finale to Madikeri Dasara

Dandina Mariyamma temple car - first


Kote Ganapathi car - second


Chowdeshwari temple car - third (Pix: Shakthi)

MADIKERI: A large number of people from across the district and outside witnessed the grand Dasara car procession taken out by the “dasha mantaps” (10 bedecked cars) here all through Monday night until dawn on Tuesday, culminating in this year’s Dasara celebrations.

The 10 mantaps converged on the General K.S. Thimayya Circle here after Monday midnight. The mantaps depicted scenes of gods and goddesses slaying the demons to the accompaniment of music and narrations.

In the best mantap category, the Dandina Mariyamma temple car won the first prize, the Kote Ganapathi car the second prize and the Chowdeshwari temple car got the third prize. (more)

KK Poonacha applies for Oman hockey coach's job

The hunt for a national hockey team chief coach is still on and the race for the coveted position is becoming interesting day by day as K K Poonacha, former India international and junior team coach, has become the fourth Indian to enter the fray. According to sources in the Oman Hockey Association (OHA), Poonacha applied for the post on September 7.

Poonacha joins V Baskaran, Prem Shankar Shukla and Pradeep Xalxo in the competition, the winner of which is likely to be finalised before the end of the year. The delay in the appointment of the coach is due to the current financial crisis being faced by OHA, which is hoping the sports ministry will bail it out.

Poonacha, 41, had represented the country in the 1994 Sydney World Cup, in which India finished fifth. He has loads of experience both as a player and as a hockey guru. Having served in the Indian Army for 18 years, his resume boasts of his being an excellent communicator, disciplinarian and a proven team player, qualities that certainly make him one of the top contenders for the job. (more)

Chikkaveerarajendra’s descendants visit Kodagu

MADIKERI: Descendants of the last ruler of Kodagu, Chikkaveerarajendra of the Haleri dynasty, carrying memories of the glory their ancestors, arrived in the district on Sunday to a rousing reception accorded to them by the members of the Kodagu unit of the Akhila Bharata Veerashiava Mahasabha.

Lakshmidevi, great granddaughter of the last ruler of Kodagu Chikkaveerarajendra, her sons, Praveen Sardesai and his brother Girish, wife of Dr. Sardesai, Anuradha and their two daughters, Deepti and Disha, arrived at the Anechowkur gate on the Kodagu-Mysore border on Sunday afternoon.

The president of the Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Mahasabha, Kodagu unit, S.P. Mahadevappa and members of the mahasabha from various parts of the district welcomed the royal descendants.

Mr. Mahadevappa said that the British, after wresting power from Chikkaveerarajendra in 1834 and banning him from Kodagu, had prohibited the royal family members from entering Kodagu. (more)

Trek to Thadiyandamol

Never before has a place beckoned me to return so many times. My second visit followed just a few months after the first. The third and fourth did not take very long either. I had made six visits at the last count and yet, each time I think of Thadiyandamol Peak, I ponder on making another journey soon.

At an altitude of 1745m, Thadiyandamol is the highest peak in Kodagu. Its windy peak offers unhindered views of impressive mountain ranges and valleys of Kodagu and beyond. Neatly stacked layers of hills align one behind the other, extending to the horizon and gently merging into the blue sky. Sensuous curves of the ridges lead down the peak and further up to the next one and the next, eventually disappearing into the mist somewhere faraway, inviting the beholder to walk along them and lose themselves in the mystery that the depth of the hills seem to convey. (more)

Where are we heading?

MADIKERI: Two school students were arrested for raping a six-year-old girl and attempting to murder her at Napoklu in Kodagu district, police said today.

The boys studying in class IX dragged the girl of the first standard to a toilet and raped her few days back. They subsequently tried to kill her as she began to scream, her mother said in a complaint filed with the police.

She alleged that the matter was initially hushed up by the school committee as one of the boys was the son of a police personnel.

However, the matter came to light after local NGOs took it up and lodged a complaint with the police, urging immediate action.

The boys who were arrested yesterday, have been sent to the juvenile centre in Mangalore, the police said.

Madikeri Dasara goes online!

Photo source: (madikeridasara.com)

Madikeri Dasara has a website now – madikeridasara.com

There’s a photo gallery with fresh pictures from 2009 edition too.

Mandalapatti: Trekkers’ Paradise

(Pic source: Daijiworld)

Click here for more breathtaking photos.

Cauvery Teertodbhava on October 17

(Pic source: Manojnv)


MADIKERI: The famous annual Teertodbhava would take place at Talacauvery in Kodagu at 4.35 p.m. in the Meena Lagna on October 17, according to a press release here on Thursday.

The time of the Teertodbhava was informed to the district administration here by the Agama Pandits of the Department of Muzrai. Goddess Cauvery is believed to emerge from the Brahmakundike (tiny pond-like niche) at Talacauvery in the form of “Teerta” (holy water) at the appointed time. Devotees from across the State, neighbouring States, apart from all parts of Kodagu, throng the Talacauvery on that auspicious day.

Deputy Commissioner K.H. Ashwatha Narayana Gowda, who presided over a preliminary meeting here, said that every district-level official should take part during the occurrence as the Bhagamandala and Talacauvery Temple Management Committee ceased to exist. The State Government was providing Rs. 2 lakh for the Cauvery Jatra and also funds for drinking water. (more)

Kannada version of 'Discover Coorg' released

The Kannada version of journalist P.T. Bopanna’s ‘Discover Coorg’, the bestselling handbook on Kodagu, has been launched. The book titled ‘KODAGU: MUNGARU MALEYA VISMAYADA NADU’, has been translated into Kannada by Mr T.S. Gopal, Principal of Srimangala Junior College in Kodagu district.

On the new book, the author, Bopanna, who is also the editor of the portal, www.coorgtourisminfo.com, said: “In view of the phenomenal success of the English version of my book ‘Discover Coorg’, I decided to bring out the Kannada version. The decision to bring out the Kannda edition was reinforced by the fact that hardly any book on Kodagu in Kannda was available in the book shops. While the English version was basically aimed at the tourists from outside the state, the Kannda edition is meant to open a window to Kodagu for the rest of Karnataka. I hope I will succeed in my mission.”

Mr Gopal who has translated the book into Kannada, had earlier undertaken the work of bringing out a Kodava-Kannada dictionary. (more)

WTF promo video: Coorg Parampara resort at Kudige

Is this Coorg parampara?

Wanted: More ATMs for Sunticoppa

YASH RUSSIA writes: Even though the government had allotted banks to function in villages, bank authorities are moving their operations to bigger towns. And Sunticoppa is no different. Recently, the Chikkamagalur-Kodagu Grameena Bank moved from Boikeri to Sunticoppa and the customers from Boikeri have to travel all the way to Sunticoppa for their banking needs. Similarly, the Vijaya Bank branch of Gaddehalla was moved to Sunticoppa town long back, causing inconvenience to customers.

Not to be left behind, now the Central Bank in Kodagarahalli is also making efforts to shift to Sunticoppa. The Central Bank was looted a few years back, and it is citing security as a reason for their shifting plan. Even though Sunticoppa has five banks, only Karnataka Bank offers some quality service and provides ATM banking. Looks like other banks are still in the nineteenth century in their style of functioning. With Madikeri in such close vicinity and a busy highway along, the need for ATMs in Sunticoppa are highlighted by businessmen and tourists alike. Are the authorities listening?

Practice makes woman perfect

Members of Codava National Council celebrating 'Kailpold' festival in Madikeri. (Photo source: Daijiworld)

Unesco heritage tag for Kodavas?

BANGALORE: The world-famous Dasara celebrations in Mysore, Kodava culture in Kodagu, Bahubali Mahamastabhisheka in Shravanabelagola, Yakshagana of coastal Karnataka, Soliga tribes of Biligiri Rangaiah Hills and leather puppetry of Bellary -- all these may soon become part of UNESCO's heritage list.

The state government has forwarded these to the Centre to be placed before UNESCO under `Intangible Cultural Heritage Scheme'. While UNESCO has included monuments and cultural heritage sites, this time it has taken an initiative to recognize intangible heritage.

"The six events are our festivals, practices, culture and dances. These have the rich tradition of heritage and I hope that all six will qualify,'' said B R Jayaramaraje Urs, secretary, Kannada and culture department.

The state government has provided detailed documentation and CDs explaining the importance and heritage of the chosen six. It took the help of Jyothi Hosaagrahara, professor in University of Columbia, experts in UNESCO projects and noted historian Suryanath Kamath to document the proposed subjects.

UNESCO seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world, considered to be of outstanding value to humanity. This is embodied in an international treaty called the Convention concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in 1972.

Happy Kailpodh

Wishing readers of KodaguCommunity.com a very Happy Kailpodh. Enjoy your pandi curry and XXX rum!

(Pix: Internet)