Kodagu District

Kodagu, also known as Coorg, is a district in the state of Karnataka, India, situated in the Western Ghats of southwestern Karnataka. The district is known for its mountainous landscape, forests, rivers, paddy fields and extensive coffee plantations.

Kodagu covers an area of 4,102 sq. km. According to the 2011 Census of India, the district had a population of 5,54,519. This remains the latest official census population figure; the population figure should therefore be identified specifically as the 2011 Census population, rather than presented as the current population.

The district headquarters is Madikeri, also historically known as Mercara. Kodagu is presently administered through five taluks: Madikeri, Somwarpet, Virajpet, Kushalnagar and Ponnampet.

Other important towns include Virajpet, Kushalnagar, Somwarpet, Gonikoppal and Ponnampet.

General Profile

The population figure is from the 2011 Census, while the administrative figures are based on the current Kodagu District Administration.

Administrative Divisions

Kodagu presently has five taluks:

1. 1. Madikeri
   2. Somwarpet
   3. Virajpet
   4. Kushalnagar
   5. Ponnampet

The district administration currently lists 17 hoblis, 4 urban local bodies, 5 taluk panchayats and 104 Gram Panchayats.

The five-taluk structure reflects the present administrative organisation of the district. Older sources may refer to Kodagu as having only three taluks—Madikeri, Somwarpet and Virajpet—before Kushalnagar and Ponnampet became separate taluks.

Population

The 2011 Census of India recorded a population of 5,54,519 for Kodagu. The official Census database identifies Kodagu as District 576 of Karnataka and provides population data at district, sub-district, village and town levels.

For historical accuracy, the population should therefore be written as: Population: 5,54,519 (2011 Census)

There is currently no newer completed Census enumeration that replaces the 2011 Census figure. Any later population figure should be described as an estimate or projection, rather than as an official census count.

Geography and Physical Features

Kodagu forms part of the Western Ghats, a major mountain system extending along the western side of peninsular India.

The district is predominantly hilly, with a landscape consisting of:

• Mountain ranges and valleys
• Forests
• Paddy fields
• Coffee plantations
• Pepper plantations
• Cardamom plantations
• Rivers, streams and waterfalls

Madikeri, the district headquarters, lies at an elevation of approximately 1,270 metres above sea level.

The combination of its forests, hills, plantations and waterways gives Kodagu its distinctive landscape.

Climate and Rainfall

Kodagu receives substantial rainfall, particularly during the southwest monsoon.

The months of June, July and August generally receive heavy rainfall. The monsoon is an important factor in the district’s forests, agriculture, plantation cultivation and river systems.

Rather than retaining the older undated figure of 2,725.5 mm as the district’s average rainfall, it is preferable for the Heritage article to describe the rainfall qualitatively unless a particular period and official source are specified. This avoids presenting a historical average as though it were a current fixed figure.

RiverCauvery

The River Kaveri (Cauvery) originates in Kodagu at Talacauvery, in the Brahmagiri hills.

The Kaveri has both geographical and cultural importance in Kodagu. Its source at Talacauvery is an important pilgrimage centre and is closely associated with the cultural and religious traditions of the region.

Major Towns

Madikeri

Madikeri, historically known as Mercara, is the district headquarters and one of the principal historical centres of Kodagu.

Virajpet

Virajpet, also known as Virarajendrapet, is one of the major towns of Kodagu and an important commercial centre in the southern part of the district.

Kushalnagar

Kushalnagar is an important town in eastern Kodagu and is now the headquarters of Kushalnagar Taluk.

Somwarpet

Somwarpet is the headquarters of Somwarpet Taluk and an important centre in northern Kodagu.

Ponnampet

Ponnampet is the headquarters of Ponnampet Taluk and an important centre in southern Kodagu.

Gonikoppal

Gonikoppal is a major commercial centre in southern Kodagu and serves the surrounding plantation region.