Madikeri is the district headquarters of Coorg and has several interesting tourist spots. Some of the prominent tourist spots include the Fort, the former Palace, Omkareshwara Temple, the Gaddige (Rajas' tombs) and the Raja Seat. The town, situated at an elevation of 1525 meters, is located on a plateau on the Western Ghats. Madikeri was founded in 1681by Muddu Raja, a prince of the Haleri dynasty and was named Muddu Rajakeri which later became Madikeri. The British who ruled over Madikeri, called it Mercara. Now, the original name of Madikeri has been restored.
Omkareshwara Temple: The Omkareshwara temple in Madikeri was built by Lingarajendra II in 1820 in the Mumammadan style of architecture with a dome in the center and four turrets at four corners. Legend has it that the King put to death a pious Brahmin unjustly and in order to appease the spirit of the Brahmin, the temple was built. The temple is akin to a Muslim dargah with a Linga installed near the entrance door. The King inscribed the history of the temple in a copper plate which is fixed at the entrance door frame. There is a water tank in front of the temple and in the middle of the tank there is a "mantapam" connected by a causeway. There are plenty of fish in the tank which is an attraction for children.
Madikeri Fort: The fort is atop an elevated ground, crowning Madikeri with its imposing structure. The original mud fort was rebuilt in stone by Tipu Sultan. Two life-size elephants made of mortar, catch the eye of the visitor on entering the Fort. In the inner Fort, a temple of Virabhadra was removed by the British in 1855 and in its place built an Anglican Church. The Church, in Gothic style, with colour stained glasses has now been converted into a museum. The museum, run by the state archaeology department, is a repository of many antiques of Coorg. Field Marshall K.M. Cariappa, who settled down in the town after his retirement, has donated the various awards and gifts bestowed on him. The other buildings inside the fort include the Mahatma Gandhi Public Library, the Kote Maha Ganapathi temple and the district prison.
Madikeri Palace: The Palace of the erstwhile kings located inside the Fort, now houses the offices of the Deputy Commissioner. The brick and mortar Palace was built in 1814 by Lingarajendra Wodeyar II. The two-storied lofty and spacious structure is 110 feet long. The British renovated the structure twice and in 1933, a clock tower and a portico to park the commissioner's car were added.
.jpg "Gaddige (Rajas' tombs)")
Gaddige (Rajas' tombs): Gaddige or the tombs of Virarajendra and Lingarajendra at Madikeri is one of the important monuments of Coorg. The royal tombs on a hillock to the north of Madikeri provides a commanding view of the town. Lingarajendra's tomb was built in 1820. There are also the tombs of a Raja's priest and that of two army commanders. A commemorative plaque, eulogizing the bravery of General Biddanda Bopu who fought Tipu Sultan has been recorded by Dodda Veerarajendra in an inscription. The tombs are in the style of Muhammadan edifices with domes in the center and turrets at the angles. The bars of windows made of brass have fine engravings. The grounds surrounding the tombs have been encroached.
Raja's Seat: The Raja's Seat in Madikeri town, the spot from where kings of yore watched sunsets with their consorts, could be considered as one of the most scenic spots in south India. The spot offers a breathtaking view of towering hills, green valleys, studded with paddy fields. It is fascinating to watch the road to Mangalore like a curved ribbon lying in the valley. The Raja's Seat, which means the "Seat of Kings", is a brick and mortar structure with four pillars, was a spot from where the kings of Coorg watched glorious sunsets. The Karnataka government has developed a garden around the Raja's Seat. The spot attracts lot of tourists and morning walkers. For the nature lover, the ideal time to visit the spot is in the morning when the first rays of the sun pierces through the mist covered valley. The district administration has put up a toy train near the Raja's Seat which attracts children. Interestingly, the land-locked Coorg does not have an inch of railways!
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