Kodagu district

Kodagu district Kodagu (Coorg)
district
Government
• Deputy Commissioner	Shri K.R. Niranjan
Population  (2001)
• Total	548,561
Website	www.kodagu.nic.in

Kodagu (Kannada:ಕೊಡಗು) is a district of Karnataka State in Southern India. It is also known by its anglicised name of Coorg. It occupies about 4,100 km² of land in the Western Ghats of Southwestern Karnataka. As of 2001 its population was 548,561, with some 13.74% in urban centers.

Kodagu's capital is Madikeri and is bordered by the Dakshina Kannada District to the Northwest, Hassan District to the North, Mysore District to the East, Kannur District of Kerala State to the Southwest, and the Wayanad District of Kerala to the South.

Geography

Kodagu is situated on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats. It is a hilly district with the lowest elevation at 900m above sea-level. The highest peak, Tadiandamol, rises to 1,750m, with Pushpagiri second highest at 1,715m.

Panoramic view of Tadiandamol

The principal river is the Kaveri (Cauvery), which rises at Talakaveri on the eastern side of the Western Ghats and, with its tributaries, drains the greater part of Kodagu. In the rainy season, particularly during the southwest monsoons from June to the end of September, the rivers are violent and rapid. In July and August rainfall is intense, while November is often showery. Yearly rainfall may exceed 4,000mm: in dense jungle tracts rainfall reaches 3,000 to 3,800mm and in the bamboo district in the West it reaches 1,500 to 2,500mm.

Road map of the district.

Kodagu has an average temperature of 15 °C, ranging from 11 °C to 28 °C, with highest temperatures measured in April and May.

The principal town and District Capital is Madikeri or Mercara, with a population of around 30,000. Other significant towns are Virajpet (Viraranjendrapet) and Somwarpet. The district is divided into the three administrative talukas of Madikeri, Virajpet and Somwarpet.

Representation

Currently three Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) are elected from Kodagu to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, one each from the Madikeri, Virajpet and Somwarpet talukas. Kodagu is part of the Mangalore, Lok Sabha, Parliamentary constituency.

The status of Kodagu was changed from a State to a District in 1956. The Coorg National Council is actively demanding a return of statehood, de-reservation of the scheduled tribes constituency, a separate Lok Sabha constituency, and autonomy.

Agriculture

Much of the district is under cultivation: characteristically rice fields are found on the valley floors, with plantation crops under tree cover in the surrounding hills. The most common plantation growth is coffee, especially C. robusta, with C. arabica grown in some parts of southern Kodagu. Many other crops are also grown including black pepper, para rubber, teak, and cocoa. There are also large areas of natural forest, especially in the forest reserves in the south and east.

Flora and fauna

Kodagu is considered rich with wildlife and has three wildlife sanctuaries and one national park: Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, Talakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary and Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, and Nagarahole or Rajiv Gandhi National Park.

The flora of the jungle includes Michelia champaca (Champak), Mesua (Ironwood), Diospyros (Ebony and other species), Toona ciliata (Indian mahogany), Chickrassia tubularis (Redcedar), Calophyllum angustifolium (Poon spar), Canarium strictum (Black Dammar), Artocarpus, Dipterocarpus, Garcinia, Euonymus, Cinnamomum, Myristica, Vaccinium, Myrtaceae, Melastomataceae, Rubus (three species), and a rose. In the undergrowth are found cardamom, Areca, plantains, canes, wild Black pepper, tree and other ferns, and arums.

In the forest of the less thickly-wooded bamboo country in the west of Kodagu the most common trees are the Dalbergia latifolia (Black wood), Pterocarpus marsupium (Kino tree), Terminalia tomentosa (Matthi), Lagerstroemia parviflora (Benteak), Anogeissus latifolia (Dindul), Bassia latifolia, Butea monosperma (Flame of the Forest, made infamous in colonial Indian history due to its association with the Battle of Plassey), Nauclea parvifiora, and several species of Acacia. In addition, Teak and Sandalwood occur in the eastern part of the district.

The fauna include: the Asian Elephant, Tiger, Leopard, Dhole, Gaur, Boar, and several species of deer.

The area is rich in biodiversity as well as threatened by globalisation.

People

From "The people of India: A series of photographic illustrations..." 1875 (New York Public Library).

Kodagu is a land of many communities. Although Kodavas are the main ethnic group, other communities also live in the district, such as: lingayath's, AreBhase Gowda, Malayali, Brahmins, Christians and Jains. Besides these communities, tribes such as Yeravas, Kurubas, Airies and Kudiyas, who are believed to be the original settlers of the area, also live in Kodagu. Muslims from the Malabar coast, the Mapilles, too have been present for several years as traders and businessmen. Coorgi women are considered the most beautiful women in India. Notable actress cum model Aishwarya Rai is a Coorgi.

The Kodava community numbers about 100,000 in the district, out of a total population of over 500,000. The Kodavas are ancestor worshippers. Theirs is a martial race and it is not rare to find a Kodava in the highest echelons of India's defence services even today.

The Yerava, or Ravula, live in Kodagu as well as in adjacent Kerala, where they are known as the Adiya. They are primarily Hindu agricultural workers. Among the other communities of Kodagu are the Heggades, cultivators from Malabar; the Ayiri, who constitute the artisan caste; the Medas, who are basket and mat-makers and act as drummers at feasts; the Binepatta, originally wandering musicians from Malabar, now agriculturists; and the Kavadi, cultivators from Yedenalknad. All these groups speak Kodava Thak and conform generally to Kodava customs and dress. Devanga community is also a prominent community in Kodagu who were once part of the Kodagu King's vast army. Other castes and tribes are the Thiyas (business people) and Nairs(the warrior cast of Kerala), immigrants from Kerala; the Vellala, who are Tamils; and the Marathi. Of the Muslims, the most numerous are the Moplahs, who emigrated from Kerala, and the Shaikhs.

Languages

The local and endemic language is Kodava takk. Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, English and other languages are also spoken. The Kodavatak language is influenced by the Kannada, Malayalam, Telugu and Tamil languages.

Economy

As a rural region, most of its economy has been based on agriculture, plantations and forestry. Kodagu is one of the more prosperous parts of Karnataka. This is based primarily on its production of coffee and other plantation products.

Rice is cultivated in the valleys. A variety of other agricultural crops are also grown.

Plantations of coffee became a characteristic of the district throughout the 20th century. They are typically planted on hillsides too steep for rice growing and use the shade of existing forests. Coffee has been the source of much local wealth.

In recent years, tourism of various types, such as walking and trekking, has become more important. In particular, plantation houses have been converted to take visitors.

History

Kodagu was a kingdom ruled by the Hoysalas from the 11th to the 14th century A.D. and thereafter by the Vijayanagar kings and the Chengalvas. The Wodeyars of Kodagu ruled from the 17th to the 19th century. The British annexed Kodagu in 1834 after dethroning Chikkaveerarajendra Wodeyar. It was administered by Chief Commissioners until Independence and then in 1952, as a category 'C' state, had a representative in the Rajya Sabha. Upon the reorganisation of states in 1956, Kodagu became a district of Karnataka State.

The name

The district's name is Koḍagu in standard transliteration.

The name has alternative derivations in popular etymology. In one, it is said to be derived from the Kannada kudu, meaning steep or hilly. In the Puranas, Kodagu may be the land called Krodha desa, meaning 'Land of Anger' - the Kodavas here are described as Mleccha, meaning foreigners. It is also said that Kodagu is derived from the word Kodava; Kod means 'give' and avva means 'mother', i.e mother Kaveri, the river Kaveri. The Dravidian Etymological Dictionary, however, treats the name as being etymologically related to Kurukh, the name the Oraon people use for themselves and the their language, and suggests a possible connection with the common Dravidian kōṭa, referring to westerly winds and the weather they bring.[1]

The form often used in English, Coorg is derived from this, by a transformation of the retroflex 'ḍ' to 'r' (cf. Maḍikeri to Mercara).

The people are called Kodava (sometimes pluralized as Kodavas in English). The people may also be called Coorgs or Coorgi in English. The name of the language is Kodava Takk.

Festivals

The Kodavas are traditionally warriors and agriculturists. Most of their rituals, traditions and festivities center around their agriculture and martial bearing. Originally, most of their lives were spent in the fields, cultivating and harvesting, wars, hunting for food and guarding their fields from destructive wild animals. It is in this context that weaponry has become an integral part of their culture with an emotional and religious significance.

There are three main festivals: the Festival of Arms or Kailpodhu, Kaveri Shankaramana and the harvest thanksgiving at Puttari (puthari). These three festivals occur during the period of September to December.

Kailpodhu

Kailpodhu is celebrated on the 3rd of September. That is, on the 18th day after the sun enters the Simha (Leo) Raasi. Kail means weapon or armory and Pold means festival. The day signifies the completion of "nati" - meaning the transplantation of the rice (paddy) crop.

Normally, during the months in which the family is engaged in the fields, all weapons are deposited in the "Kanni Kombare" or the prayer room. The festival also signifies the day that men should prepare to guard their crop from wild boars and other animals. Hence, on the Kailpoldu day, the weapons are taken out of the Pooja room, cleaned and decorated with flowers. They are then kept in the "Nellakki Nadubade" - central hall of the house, the place of community worship. Each member of the family has a bath and then they worship the weapons. Subsequently, feasting and drinking follow. The eldest member of the family hands over a gun to the senior member of the family, signifying the commencement of the festivities. The whole family assembles in the "Mand" (open ground), where physical contests and sports, including shooting, are conducted. In the earlier days, hunting and cooking of wild animals was part of the celebration but presently, shooting skills are tested by firing at a coconut tied onto the branch of a tall tree.

In the earlier days, there were sports like grabbing a coconut from the hands of a group of 8-10 people (thenge porata), throwing a stone about the size of a cricket ball at a coconut from a distance of 10-15 paces (thenge eed), lifting a stone ball of about 30-40cm lying at one's feet and throwing it backwards over the shoulders, etc. These sports are now conducted in community groups called Kodava Samajas in towns and cities.

Kaveri Sankramana

The Kaveri Sankramana festival normally takes place in mid-October. It is associated with the river Kaveri, which flows through the district from its source at Talakaveri.

At a predetermined time, when the sun enters Tula Rasi (Tula sankramana,) a fountain from a small tank fills the bigger holy tank at Talakaveri. People throng in thousands to take a dip in this holy water. The water is collected in bottles and reaches every house in Kodagu. This is called Theertha - holy water. This water is preserved in all Kodava houses and a spoonful of this water is fed to the dying, in the belief that they will attain moksha (emancipation) and gain entry to heaven.

On this day, married women wearing new silk saris perform puja to a vegetable, symbolizing the goddess Kaveri The vegetable is usually a cucumber or a coconut, wrapped in a piece of red silk cloth and decorated with flowers and jewels (mainly 'Pathak' (Kodava Mangalasuthra)). This is called the Kanni Puje. Kanni means the goddess Parvati, who incarnated as Kaveri. Three sets of betel leaves and areca nut are kept in front of the goddess with bunches of glass bangles. All the members of the family pray to the goddess by throwing rice and prostrating before the image. The elder members of the family ceremonially bless the younger. Then, an older married woman draws water from the well and starts cooking. The menu of the day is dosa and vegetable curry ( usually pumpkin curry (kumbala kari) ) and payasa. Non-vegetarian food is not cooked on that day. This is the only festival wherein non-vegetarian food is not prepared.

Puttari

Puttari means new rice and is the rice harvest festival (also called huttari in the adjacent Kannada-speaking country). This takes place in late November or early December. Celebrations and preparations for this festival start a week in advance.

On the Puttari day, the whole family assemble in their ain mane (the common family house) which is decorated with flowers and green mango and banana leaves. Specific foods are prepared: thambuttu, puttari, kari and poli poli. Then the eldest member of the family hands a sickle to the head of the family and one of the women leads a procession to the paddy fields with a lit lamp in her hands. The path leading to the field is decorated. A gunshot is fired to mark the beginning of the harvest, with chanting of "Poli Poli Deva" (prosperity) by all the people present there. Then, the symbolic harvesting of the crop begins. The rice is cut and stacked and tied in odd numbers and is carried home to be offered to the gods. The younger people then burst firecrackers and revel, symbolizing prosperity. Groups of youngsters then visit the neighboring houses and show off their dancing skills and are given monetary gifts. A week later, this money is pooled and a community dinner of the entire village is celebrated. All the family members gather for this meal. Dinner normally consists of meat dishes such as pork and fish curry. Alcoholic beverages are also served at such feasts.

Tourist attractions

The temple tank of Omkareshwara Temple at Coorg, the town in the background

Talakaveri: The place where River Kaveri originates. The temple on the banks of the river here is dedicated to lord Brahma and is only one of the two temples dedicated to Brahma in India and SE Asia.

Nisargadhama: A beautiful island and picnic spot near Kushalanagara, formed by the river Kaveri.

Iruppu Falls: This is a sacred spot in south Kodagu on the Brahmagiri range of hills. The Lakshmana-tirtha flows nearby. Legend says that Rama and Lakshmana passed this way while searching for Sita. Sri Rama asked Lakshmana to fetch some drinking water for him. Lakshmana shot an arrow into the Brahmagiri hills and brought into being the river Lakshmanatirtha. The river descends into a cataract known as the Iruppu Falls. This place is said to possess the power to cleanse one's sins and is visited by thousands of devotees on Shivaratri day.

Abbey Falls: A scenic waterfall, 5 km from Madikeri.

Dubare: This is mainly an elephant-capturing and training camp of the Forest Department at the edge of Dubare forest on the bank of the river Kaveri along the Kushalanagara - Siddapur road.

Nagarahole: A national park and wildlife resort.

Bhagamandala: Is situated at the confluence of two rivers, the Kaveri and the Kanika. A third river, the Sujyothi, is said to join from underground.

Bylakuppe: Second largest Tibetan settlement in India. Namdroling monastery and the Golden temple are located here.

Notable peoples from Kodagu

• K M Cariappa, Field Marshal
• K. S. Thimayya, General
• Arjun Halappa, National Hockey Player

External links

• Kodagu district administration
• More Coorg Information