Kushalnagar is a small town sprawling over an area of 8 km square. Located on the banks of the River Cauvery, Kushalanagar lies in the Somwarpet Taluka region of the Coorg district in the Indian state of Karnataka. Presently, it is one of those active economic sectors for the localities here. The town is cramped with budget and luxury accommodations such as resorts, stays hotels and lodgings for the tourists.
Situated at an elevation of 830 meters above the sea level there is a popular myth relating to the name of Kushalnagar. If legends are to be believed, Kushalnagar got its name by Hyder Ai who was camping here when he got the news of the birth of his son, Tipu that is when he called the place as Kushyal Nagar i.e. the town of gladness.
Not as popular as Coorg hill station but when you are on a holiday, you definitely must visit Kushalnagar at least for a day tour. Rich in wildlife and a myriad of exotic birds, the town is a paradise for nature and photography lovers. For others there are monasteries, temples, waterfalls and more. So, irrespective of your age or interests, Kushalnagar will only please you with its surroundings, ambience and activities.
The legal age for drinking in Kushalnagar is 18 years.
Namdroling Nyingmapa Monastery is the biggest teaching center of the Nyingma lineage of the Tibetan Buddhism from round the world. Nestled in the Mysuru district of Bylakuppe in the state of Karnataka, this monastery is a home to the sangha community of some 5 thousand lamas which includes both nuns and monks. There is a hospital and a religious college here. This monastery is a great place to see in Kushalnagar.
Located in a small village of Hudgur that lies in vicinity to Kushalnagar, Harangi Reservoir is a great tourist attraction here. The dam lies about 6 km from Kushalnagar town and is built across the River Harangi which is basically a tributary of river Cauvery. The beauty of the place can be very well accessed when the reservoir is brimming with water during the monsoon season of Coorg. Definitely, the best place for picnicking, you must visit the place with your friends or family. Abundant resorts and guest house facilities are available for the tourists here who wish to spend a night here. You can spend a night only on reservation from the public works department.
Lying in the midst of Kushalnagar and Madikeri, Coorg’s Chiklihole reservoir is only 15 km from Kushalnagar and Madikeri. The added advantage is that this reservoir is just in proximity to Dubare. Chicklihole is definitely not one of those ideal tourist spots but is indeed a very nice and a tranquil picnic spot. You can spend a long afternoon here until dawn to catch a glimpse of sunset. Avoid visiting during the noon as the place gets really hot during that time and you don’t have any shade here to keep you protected from the hot sun. Do carry your own snacks and food here as there are not many shops around. The best time to visit the Chicklihole reservoir is during the winter and the monsoon months largely from June to March as the water quantity is good then. Most significant thing about the reservoir is its sunset. Catching the greenery amidst the sunset is a great thing to do here.
Situated about 23 km from Kushalnagar, Nisargadhama nature park is a home to a variety of animals and birds that live here in their natural habitat unperturbed by the human activity. It is a great tourist attraction and an ideal spot for picnic. Located in Coorg, the park can be reached via Madikeri as well. The best things to do here is taking elephant rides in this area. Feeding the dears of the woodland is another interesting activity of this region. Both children and adults can enjoy being in this place.
Tibet Camp also known as the Tibetan Monastery is located at a distance of 6 km from Kushalnagar and 400 km from Tamil Nadu, it is a vast area that is allotted by Indian Government for the monks of Tibet who escaped Tibet. You can find over 7000 monks residing in this camp. They study and practice Buddhism here. There are several universities also located here that attract a number of visitors from out of India too. Key attraction of the place is the giant 40 feet statue of Buddha plated in gold. Both the altar and the main temple are beautiful. They are impeccably fascinating and have intricate paintings of the Buddhist lore. In close proximity to the temple, you can find several shop that sell the traditional Tibetan items such as carpets, costumes, jewelry and statues. Do splurge in some shopping here.
Dubare lies amidst the Siddapur and Kushalnagar. It is a beautiful area that boasts of being the camp for capturing and training elephants. Situated on the banks of the River Cauvery, the elephants are initially caught by the local tribes who inhabit this region. After that, these tribes are trained and further they are handed over to the Dubare Training Camp. An important activity to partake in this region is elephant rides in the nearby jungles. Don’t forget to do some bird watching here. A number of rare birds and animals can be found here that are not seen in the urban areas. In the vicinity of the camp area, there are several resort cottages. So, if you decide to stay back for a few days, this can be a preferable pick. Besides all this, you can also enjoy water sports like river rafting and fishing. Trekking too is an important activity here.
Situated at a distance of some 15 km from Kushalnagar, Dubare is a great fishing hub. The spot is situated at Valnoor that is in proximity to Dubare. Best time to visit Valnoor is early in the morning. Common fishes that most visitors catch here include Maral and Mahseer. Take note, you’ll have to get your own fishing equipment. You’ll need a permit from the local authorities before you get here.
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