RAJAS SEAT

The place has a history of having the king of Coorg to spend his time witnessing the scenic and panoramic vistas of the place. Raja’s Seat is one of the best attractions in Coorg to watch the majestic sunrise or the fiery sunset.  It is a fantastic spot for recreational activities in Coorg.

Raja’s seat sets in a glorious garden of seasonal colourful flowers and musical fountain shows. There is also a toy train that runs through the garden entertaining both adults and children. Raja’s Seat has such an unerring location that it overlooks a valley bathing in green and a horizon doused in all shades of blue and orange.

Height: Approximately 160 ft above sea level.

Location: Stuart Hill, Madikeri, Karnataka 571201

Best Time to visit: November to March (winter season)

Entry fee: INR 5 per person. INR 20 per head for Toy train ride and INR 40 for parking.

Timings: 6 PM to 8 PM on Monday to Friday and 6 PM to 7:30 PM on Saturday and Sunday. The musical fountain show starts at 7:00 PM on weekdays and 6:45 AM to 7:20 PM on weekends.

Average time required to visit the place: 1 to 2 hours.

Distance from Madikeri Bus Stand: Approximately 1 KM from Madikeri bus stand.

Check Out: Recreational activities in Coorg

Raja’s Seat or the Seat of the Kings is a popular tourist destination of Madikeri. It is named so as in the past, the place has been visited by the kings of Coorg. Raja’s seat offers a panoramic view of the surrounding region consisting of green valleys, towering hills and paddy fields. The atmosphere of the place is quite refreshing and it is one of the best Coorg attractions.

The actual Raja’s seat is a statue resembling a brick mortar and pestle structure surrounded by four equidistantly placed pillars. All four pillars are bridged with the aid of arches. In ancient days, this spot was an important point for tourists to capture some delightful sunset moments. 

Encircling the Raja’s seat is a splendid garden consisting of a musical fountain and seasonal flowers. When the flowers are in their wholly bloomed phase, the garden offers a beautiful sight. As long as the rhythmic music keeps playing in the background, the fountain here dances to its tune and gushes out colourful water. Raja’s Seat overlooks a mind-boggling valley with numerous mist-laden mountain ranges. 

It is good to plan your visit to the Raja’s seat either early morning or during the sunset hours.Capturing golden moments of the sun rising from the background of mist-laden valleys have always been adored by photographers visiting here. Similar scenery is created during the evening when the sun is about to sign off with its golden smile. 

Toy train safari here will surely keep you and your little ones engaged. To witness the magic of this toy train ride, you need to head in the direction of the entrance of Raja’s Seat. It will drive you around the garden that surrounds the Raja’s Seat. Throughout your garden ride, you can simply capture some beautiful pictures of the seasonal blooms or take a panoramic view of the valley that stretches apart.

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How To Reach

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By Road: Raja’s Seat is situated within Madikeri which is well-connected by road network. You can catch a direct bus from either Karnataka or Kerala to reach Madikeri. Also, there are buses connecting Madikeri with Bangalore, Virajpet, and Mysore. Hired cabs is the second best alternative if roadways is your preferred travel route. Once you reach Madikeri’s KSRTC bus stand, Raja’s Seat is at a 5 minutes walkable distance. 

By Rail: In case you are planning to reach Raja’s Seat by railways, this might be a bit disappointing to you as there’s no railway station here. Hassan, Kannur, and Kasaragod are the nearby railway stations here. From Madikeri, Mysore and Mangalore stations are situated at a distance of around 140 km. 

By Bus: Madikeri is well-connected to other cities by bus routes. Shivamogga Bus Terminal is the nearest bus terminal here. From there, you need to board a local bus and get down at Raja’s Seat Bus Stand in Madikeri. Before you begin your trip, make sure that you check the bus route and timetable to get a fair idea of the bus schedule and frequency. It is important to note that the rate of the bus is quite low here. 

Best Time To Visit

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It is always best to visit Raja’s Seat early in the morning. You get to see a golden moment of the sun rising from the back of mist-laden lush green mountain ranges. If you are not into getting up early in the morning, try to reach Raja’s Seat during evening hours. Golden sparkling rays of the setting sun is no less than a wonderful sightseeing activity. 

Other Essential Information

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-Timings: Weekdays- 06:00 am to 08:00 pm 
                                   Weekends- 06:00 am to 07:30 pm. 

- Entry Fee: To enter the park that surrounds the Raja’s Seat, you need to pay a minimum fee of 5 rupees. 

 - Location: Stuart Hill, Madikeri, Karnataka 571201 

Toy Train Ride Experience at Raja's Seat:

Also known as the Pattani Rail, toy train at the Raja’s Seat runs about a kilometre long. Irrespective of age, tourists visiting here enjoy a lot with their children at this toy train ride. This toy train will take you through the entire garden. To ride this train, you first need to make your way to the entrance as it is the starting point of a toy train ride. 

You will be charged something between 30 to 40 INR per head. Check for the child ticket cost as it might vary considerably. Toy train ride gives you a better opportunity to explore the seasonal blooms and musical fountain. For all those visiting first time here at the Raja’s Seat, a toy train ride is a must-to-try.

Tips for Visiting Raja's Seat:

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-To get the best view of the Raja’s Seat, start your journey early in the morning or during sunsets.  

-The place is open for all 365 days of the year. However, it is better to schedule your itinerary during the season when the flower blooms to their fullest. You can plan it anywhere between October to March. 

-The musical fountain here merely is astounding and worthy of your effort to reach here. 

-You can bring in your DSLR’s here and capture some breath-taking views of the surrounding scenery. 

History of Raja's Seat:

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Raja’s Seat resembles a piece of art consisting of four mighty pillars interconnected by arch. This place holds a historical significance as once it was a common relaxation point for the Kodagu kings and queens who ruled from 1600 to 1834 CE. Since this place overlooks the western region, kings and queens of that era used to visit here to enjoy the sunrise and sunsets. Strolling through the lush green blanket of grasses and enjoying a fresh misty air was a favorite pastime activity of the royals of that era. 

Places to Eat near Raja’s Seat:

The moment you feel hungry, you can stroll around the nearby locality to find some mouth-watering delicacies. Taste of Coorg, Udipi The Veg, East End Hotel, Rain Tree, Coorg Cuisine, Green Land Restaurant, Abeo’s Kitchen, and Zaffron By Le Coorg are some restaurants to try. You will get a wide array of local and international flavors here. 

Places to Stay near Raja's Seat:

1. Hotel Mayura Valley View – Hotel Mayura Valley View features a 24/7 front desk facility, restaurant, a bar, terrace, rooms with pool views, and a children’s playground. Every day, you can enjoy a continental breakfast here. Amongst other facilities, you have free parking, free Wi-Fi services, and family rooms. 
Price – 2500 INR 

2. Hotel Caveri Inn – Hotel Caveri Inn features a garden, a 24/7 front desk service, rooms with private bathroom, guest room, and other room amenities. You get a 24 hours free parking and room servicing at Hotel Caveri Inn. 
Price – 1000 INR

3. Misty Heaven – This stay place is almost equidistant from Madikeri Fort and Raja’s Seat. This is more or less a homestay situated amidst the beauty of Mother Nature. The staff here offers excellent hospitality service. You have free parking, Wi-Fi, and family room services here. You have a good opportunity to explore the local cuisines, culture and lifestyle. 
Price – 2500 INR

Besides the ones mentioned above, you can approach North Breeze, Santee Grace Madikeri, and Honey Palace Homestay for your stay.