| KODAVAS & KODAGU |
|
| Introduction |
| Kodagu in Kannada and Coorg in English are
derived from the local version Kodavu and the people Kodava. The name Kodavu is supposed
to have been derived from Kodimalenad meaning higher forest land. Puranic version says,
that the land of initial settlement was called Krodadesa which later became Kodavu. The
word Kodava means the people blessed by Godmother Kaveri (‘Kod’ means give,
bless and 'avva' means mother Kaveri) is supported by the puranic version. |
|
| Kodagu is the south-western district of Karnataka
bordering Kerala. Its maximum length is 96 km (north-south) and breadth 64 km (east-west).
The area of the district is 4102.3 sq. km with an estimated population of 5,45,322
as per 2001 census. It is a land of Generals. |
|
| Historical Background |
| Historical inscriptions show that Kodagu was
included in the Kingdom of Gangas in the 9th and 10th centuries and Cholas in the
11th century. Changalvas were feudatory to both the above dynasties but they were
independent till 14th century since Hoysalas overthrew Cholas in the 12th century.
Changalvas accepted the supremacy Of Hoysalas from 14th to 16th century. Then came the
Nayakas who later paved the way to the Haleri Rajas of Kodagu till 1834 except Hyder and
Tippu Sultan (1780-89). |
|
| The prominent rulers were Mudduraja (1633-87),
Lingaraja (1775-80) and Virarajendra Wodeyar (1789-1809). Kodagu was annexed by the
British in 1834, first Chief Commissioner's Province in India to be permitted to have
representative body in 1924, "C" State (1952-56) and a district of Karnataka
(Mysore) from 1st November, 1956. |
|
| According to purana Chandravarma the youngest son
of King Siddhartha of Matsya country came on pilgrimage to Brahmagiri the origin of river
Kaveri. He settled down with eleven sons married and each having more than hundred sons.
The eldest son Devakanta was crowned who with all the members presented before Goddess
Kaveri flowing down at Balamuri (Balumberi) in the early hours of Tulasankranthi, the time
of sun's entering the sigh of Libra. During the flow the sari knot of Kaveri got turned
backwards at Balamuri while she blessed the members present. All of them (Kodavas) took
the first bath in the river here. |
|
| Landscape |
| The country forms a portion of western ghats with
the high range running north-south along the western side of the district. The range has a
bulging towards west at Brahmagiri. The prominent peaks are Pushpagiri, Kote Betta,
Nishani Motte, Tumbe Male. Tadiandamol (1750 m, highest), Soma Male and Brahmagiri
(Davasibetta) the birth place of Lakshmanathirtha river. Payaswani and Bara Pole are the
rivers flowing west and Kaveri with tributaries Hemavati, Harangi and Lakshmanathirtha are
the rivers flowing east. High hill tops are generally grassy with valley of dense mixed
jungles and cardamom plantation. Low hill ranges are generally under cultivation, teak
plantation or dense mixed jungle. Elephant, tiger, leopard, bison, deer, black wanderoo,
hornbill, wild boar, peacock in jungles, and mahseer, lady fish in rivers are worth
mentioning. |
|
| Settlements |
| Jamma Land ownership under one family name as
unit and right to own gun with exemptions from Disarming Act since 1861 are the salient
features of settlement in a village. Families form a Keri, Keris a Village, Villages a
Nad and Nads a Taluk. There are 3 taluks forming the district viz.. Somvarpet, Virajpet
and Madikeri. Towns are generally formed by educational institutions and public offices
followed by business establishments. There is no railway or air transport available in the
district. |
|
| Economic Wealth |
| Coffee, cardamom, pepper. paddy, orange, timber
and honey known as ‘Coorg Honey' are the major products of this district. Tea,
rubber. Arecanut, coconut, citrus fruits, pineapple, papaya, plantain, piggery and poultry
are also available from the district. Muslims hold the major business network in the
district. |
|
| Culture |
| Kodavas follow Hinduism but are more liberal and
independent than any other Hindu in performing marriage, divorce, remarriage, festivals,
worship, ceremonies, dialect and dress. They worship Karana (ancestors) as family deity,
Kaveri as Godmother and Iggutappa as presiding deity. Most of the temples in villages have
their origin from Kerala and routine maintenance is by Brahmins from Uttara/Dakshina
Kannada districts. |
|
| Dowry system is almost unknown here and marriage
ceremony with traditional dress and without a Brahmin or puja or mangalasutra, but with
non-vegetarian dishes and liquor are unique of Kodava community. |
|
| Puthari (Huttari) the harvest festival known for
varieties of folk dances 3 months after Onam in Kerala, Kailpoud the ayudhapuja with
shooting competition and sports on 3rd September and village temples with its own set of
discipline and dances during the annual fairs are the main centres of cultural activities |
|
| The Puranic version is upheld to this day with
Annual fair at Balamuri about 4 km from Murnad, every year in the morning succeeding
Thirthodbhava at Tala Kaveri, Kannipuje at home by ladies etc. Sari style of Kaveri with
the knot back at Balamuri is retained to this day by Kodava community. |
|
| Places of Interest |
|
| Madikeri |
| Madikeri is the district headquarters of Kodagu
with about 28,729 population and 1200 meters altitude. Muddurajakeri named after the first
ruler Mudduraja from this place since 1681 later became Madikeri. It is a picturesque hill
town with Palace inside Fort, Omkareshvar temple, Raja’s tomb, Raja's seat, Abbi
falls, Cardamom Research Station at Appangala (7 km), Horticultural farm which develops
varieties of citrus, fruits at Chettalli (18 km), World record holder in cardamom crop
near Chettalli etc. |
|
| Bhagamandala |
| Bhagamandala about 35 km from Madikeri has
temples near the confluence of river Kaveri with Kannike. Pilgrims perform rituals during
Tulasankranthi (October). This is the center for bee-keeping. |
|
| Tala Kaveri |
| This is the origin of river Kaveri on the eastern
slopes of Brahmagiri peak at 1350 metres altitude, about 8 km by road from Bhagamandala.
An enclosure around the spring called Gundige is connected to a small pond beside. The
water from the pond goes underground and comes out after about one kilometer down the
hill. There are three shrines above the spring and birds eye view of west-coast from the
hill range. On a predetermined date and time of Tulasankranthi every year the spring from
Gundige overflows called Thirthodbhava. This holy water is carried home by all pilgrims
when they go back after paying the last rites/rituals to their parent or spouse departed
during the preceding year. New couples will also have a dip in the pond together. |
|
| Padi Iggutappa Temple |
| This is the most important temple of Kodagu and
the presiding deity for Puthari festival. It is about 2 km by road from Kakkabe. Nalnad
Aramane (Palace) built in 1791 is about 5 km from Kakkabe. Hiking to the highest peak
Tadiandamol is through Nalnad Aramane. Largest producer of honey in South East Asia is
about 4 km from Kakkabe. |
|
| Irpu falls |
| Irpu falls 60 meters of Lakshmanthirtha river is
about 45 km from Virajpet. There is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva by Sri Rama
himself on the right bank of Lakshmanthirtha river. There is a big congregation on
Mahashivaratri day. |
|
| Nagarhole |
| The Nagarhole Game Sanctuary extending over 284
sq. km affords an excitable sight with wild animals like bison. tiger, panther, elephant
etc.in their natural habitat. There is a guest house and a restaurant. There is an
elephant training camp near Titimati. |
|
| Others |
| Other tourist spots near Kushalnagar are:- Kudige
with agricultural and dairy farm, 6 km; Ramaswami Kanive with aqueducts across river
Kaveri 9 km; Harangi Dam; 10 km, and Nisargadhama a tourist resort on river Kaveri, 3 km.
Honnammana Kere is a lake about 10 km from Somvarpet. |
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| Source: Survey of India Click here for more information on Kodavas and Coorg. |
