Somwarpet is a panchayat town in Coorg district in the state of Karnataka. It is the 2nd highest administrative town in Karnataka in terms of altitude. Coffee is the major crop in the region. Arabic coffee grows maximum in this region. Other crops like pepper, cardamom, orange, vanilla are grown. As a tourism destination it is well connected with other major Coorg district. The locals here speak Kodava, Takk, Are Bhase, Tulu, Berry bashe, Konkani, English and hindi, even of them Kannadigas. Here are 10 things to do in somwarpet.
Golden Temple
Namdroling Monastery is the largest teaching center of the Tibetan Buddhism school which is famously called Nyingmapa. It is located 60 km from Kaveri Nisargadhama. The full name of the monastery is Thegchog Namdrol Shedrub Daryeling and it encompasses an area of around 80 square feet.
Nagarhole National Park
Also called the Rajiv Gandhi National Park, Nagarhole National Park in Kodagu district in Karnataka is the premier Tiger Reserves of the country. It shares its boundary with the Bandipur Tiger Reserve. In 1999, the government declared Nagarhole National Park as the 37th Project Tiger. It is also a part of the UNESCO enlisted Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. It is located at a distance of 104 km from Somwarpet.
Dubare Elephant Camp
Dubare is an elephant camp located on the banks of Kaveri river in Karnataka’s Kodagu district. Just as its name signifies, the park is an important base for the elephants of the Karnataka Forest Department. The elephants who were earlier trained for logging operations have now retired and most of them now give rides to the tourists. The place offers opportunities for fishing, river rafting, elephant rides, and trekking.
Chiklihole Dam
The entire surrounding of Chiklihole dam is beautiful and its beauty is further increased by the lush green forests that cover one side of the dam and the meadows covering the reservoir area. The place also looks breathtaking due to its unique semi-circular shape sans any crest gates. When the inflow increases, the water flows on a curved structure like a foam which simply looks breathtaking.
Kote Betta Trek
Kota Betta ranks third after Brahmagiri and Tadiandamol peaks in altitude. Located in between Madikeri and Somwarpet, local folklore says that the mythologically famous brothers from Mahabharata, the Pandavas spent a good amount of time here during exile. According to the tale, the Pandavas even built many stone houses that are still present in some nearby areas of Coorg. The place is also famous for the ancient Shiva Temple.
Beelur Golf Course
Located at a distance of 8 km from the town of Somwarpet, the Beelur Golf Course has lush green grounds and natural, unmaintained grassland. The entire scenario makes it a perfect place for film shooting and photography.
Harangi Dam
Built on river Cauvery’s small tributary, the Harangi dam or the Harangue dam is located in Coorg’s Hadgur village. The river Harangi on which this dam is built originates from the hills of Pushpagiri covering a distance of 50 kilometers before finally merging into Kaveri. The dam is a splendid example of civil engineering and now fast gaining fame as a tourist spot.
Mallalli Falls
It is one of the tallest waterfalls in Karnataka’s Coorg district with the Kumaradhara river dropping down to 200 feet. Apart from Mallalli Falls, there are several other misty waterfalls that are a part of the surrounding streams situated at the Pushpagiri foothills. These waterfalls are located 25 km from Somwarpet.
Makkalagudi Betta
Makkalagudi Betta is also known as Kodaikanal of Kodagu. The main attraction here is watching paddy fields and the blissful nature gives you utmost joy and happiness. You have the option to catch a glimpse Harangi reservoir backwaters.
Raja’s Seat
Raja’s Seat or the seat of the king offers a glimpse of seasonal flowers and artificial fountains. It is one of the most important tourist spots in the district of Coorg in Madikeri near Somwarpet. The layers of green foliage on the low and high-rise mountains and the setting sun in the background makes it one of the hot favorites of the tourists.
