Coorg (2024)

objective

To familiarize the students with a tourist place of India.
To make them feel the beauty of Coorg.
To enable them about the geography of Coorg.
To make them aware of the people of Coorg.
To tell them about its location,historical background, climate etc.
To tell them about its famous tourist spot and destinations.
To enable the learners to read and identify the main points of the text.
To enable them to use new words and their meanings.
To test the students’ ability to comprehend.

new words

colonial: Pertaining to a colony
Coral is a colonial organism.Canopies: Hanging covers that form a shelter
A covering (usually of cloth) that serves as a roof to shelter an area from the weather.
Fiercely: Very much
She wasfiercelyproud of her children.

Trekkers: Travellers
A traveller who makes a long arduous journey (as hiking through mountainous country).

Panoramic view: A view of wide area
A situation or topic as if viewed from an altitude or distance.

key points

Coorg, the smallest district is situated between Mysore and Mangalore.
It is situated in hills and inhabited by martial men and women.
Coorg is also known as Kodagu.
There are evergreen forests ,spices and coffee plantations and colonial bungalows.

THE ORIGIN OF THESE PEOPLE

They are descendants of Greeks and Arabs.
A story goes that a part of Alexander’s army stayed back and married local women.
So the present race is a mixture of both cultures.
They wear long black coats, embroidered waists belts.
Their dress relates them to Arabs and Kurds.

PEOPLE ARE BRAVE AND HOSPITABLE

They are hospitable and are proud to tell about the bravery of their forefathers.
In the Indian Army ,the C Regiment is the most decorated regiment.
General he first Chief of the Indian Army was a Co

WATER AND COORGI LIFE

The river Kaveri gets water from the hills of Coorg.
A fish Mahasheer abounds in this water.
Animals like Langurs drop partially eaten fruit in water.
Kingfishers dive in it, elephants are bathed in it.

OTHER ADVENTURES

River – rafting , travelling in a boat, rock- climbing make life adventurous.
Wild elephants , butterflies and squirrels draw our attention.

PLACES WORTH WATCHING

The entire Coorg can be seen by climbing Brahmgiri hills.
The island of Nisargadham and Buddisht settlement at Bylakuppe are interesting places.

presentation

Coorg from NVSBPL

summary

Coorg lies midway between Mysore and Mangalore . It looks like a piece of heaven on the earth. It is a hilly place of brave men, beautiful women and wild creatures. It is also known by the name of ‘Kodagu’. We can reach Coorg from Mangalore, Bangalore, or Mysore by rail,road or by air.
Coorg is the smallest district of Karnataka. It is the home of evergreen forests, spices and coffee plantations. It rains heavily during the monsoons and the visitors keep away. But the months from September to March are very pleasant. The air breathes of refreshing coffee.
The Coorg people live a life of complete independence. It is believed that they are descended from the Greeks or the Arabs. According to the Greek theory, it is said that a part of Alexander’s army found it impossible to go back and was left here. These people married among the locals. The martial traditions of the Greeks, their marriage and religious rites are quite visible among the Coorg people. According to Arab theory, the Kuppia( A long, black coat with an embroidered belt) worn by the Kodavus resembles the Kuffia worn by the Arabs and the Kurds.
Kodavus or Coorgis are known for their bravery and hospitality . The Coorg regiment of the Indian Army has won many bravery awards. General Cariappa , the first chief of the Indian Army was a Coorgi.
The river Kaveri obtains its water from the hills and forests of Coorg. The area is rich in wild life like elephants, kingfishers, squirrels,langurs and parrots. The most popular adventure sports are rafting ,canoeing, rappelling, rock climbing and mountain biking. The Nisargadhama island is a lovely island beyond the Brahmagiri hills. The Buddhist monks settled here give us a glimpse of the heart and soul of India.

video

short questions & answers

Q1. What is referred to as ‘ a piece of heaven’?
Ans. The place referred to as ‘a piece of heaven’ is Coorg.

Q2. Where is it situated?
Ans. It is situated in Karnataka.

Q3. Why do many tourists not visit it during monsoons?
Ans. During monsoons , there is heavy rainfall. That is why many tourists do not visit this place during monsoons.

Q4. Why are people drawn to it?
Ans. People are drawn to it because of its natural beauty, fine weather and refreshing air.

Q5.What is the chief characteristic of the Coorgi people?
Ans. These people are fiercely independent.

Q6. Why did a part of Alexander’s army settle in Coorg?
Ans. They found it impractical to return and ,therefore, settled in Coorg.

Q7. What supports the Greek theory about the origin of the Coorgi people?
Ans. The martial traditions ,the marriage and religious rites of the Coorgis correspond with those of the Greeks.

Q8. What supports the Arab theory about the origin of the Coorgi people?
Ans. The Coorgis wear a long , black coat known as Kuppia. It resembles the Kuffia worn by the Arabs and the Kurds.

Q9. Who was General Cariappa?
Ans. He was a Coorgi and the first chief of the Indian Army.

Q10. What is unique about the Kodavus in India?
Ans. They are the only people in India permitted to carry fire arms without a licence.

Q11. Where does the river Kaveri get its water from?
Ans. It gets its water from the hills and forests of Coorg.Q12. What kind of fish is found in the river Kaveri?
Ans. Mahaseer—a large fresh water fish—is found in the Kaveri.

Q13. What view is seen from the Brahmagiri hills?
Ans. It gives the entire misty view of Coorg.

Q14. How can we reach the Nisargadhama island?How big is it?
Ans. We can reach there after crossing a rope bridge. The island is 64 acre in area.

Q15. How do we feel at the Tibetan settlement Bylakuppe?
Ans. We feel as if we have discovered here the heart and soul of India.

Q16. What do you know about the set up of Coorg?
Ans. Coorg is situated at midway between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore. This land of rolling hills is inhabited by the army man, beautiful women and wild creatures.Q17. Write down Alexander’s story about Coorg descent?
Ans. According to one story, Coorgs are the Greek or Arabics descent. It is said that a part of Alexander’s army moved along the south coast. When their return became impossibl, they settled there and married the locals.

Q14. What is the story of Coorg for Arab origin?
Ans. People think that Coorgi people are of Arab origin. Kodagus wear long black coat with an embroidered waist belt known as Kuppia. It resembles the Kuffia and the same is worn by Arabs and the Kurds.

Q15. How can you say that Coorg have speciality for army?
Ans. Coorgi people are famous for their martial race. One can hear numerous tales of their valour about their sons and fathers. General Cariappa , the first chief of the Indian army was a Coorgi. They are allowed to carry firearms without a licence. Coorgi regiment is famous for its bravery,Q16. How do the wild animals, birds and beasts enjoy the clear water of Kaveri?
Ans. In the fresh water of Kaveri one can see the fish and other animals enjoying. Squirrels and langurs threw half eaten fruits to enjoy the splash of water. The elephants enjoy bathing and the fish dive for their catch.

Q17. How do we know that Kodavus are a race of warriors?
Ans. The Coorg families take pride in narrating the tales of valour related to their sons and fathers. The Coorg regiment is one of the most decorated with bravery medals. The first chief of the Indian army , General Cariappa was a Coorgi.

Q18. How can one reach Coorg?
Ans. One can reach Coorg either by road, rail or air. There are two road routes from Bangalore. Both are about 250 -260 k.m. The route via Mysore is frequented one. The other route is via Neelamangal, Kurigal and Chanraynapatna.Q19. What is favourite with the trekkers?
Ans. The trekkers can enjoy invigorating breaths of coffee. They favour to enjoy water sports like rafting,canoeing ,rapelling and mountain biking. In the forests one can have the company of squirrels and langurs.

Q20. Why do most of the visitors keep away from Coorg during the monsoons ?When do they resume their journey ?Give reasons.
Ans. Most of the visitors keep away from Coorg during the monsoons because it pours very heavily during the monsoons. They resume their journey from September till March. When the weather is perfect with little showers.

text book questions and answers

Q1. Where is Coorg?
A: Coorg is situated in the midway between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore. It is the paradise on this earth. It must have been drifted from the kingdom of God.

Q2. What is the story about Kodavus people descent?
A: There are many stories about Kodavu people’s descent. One of the stories tells that a part of Alexander’s army while moving south along the coast could not return . They settled there and did marital relations with the local people. One can note the difference between their traditions and other Hindus . Thus these are Greek or Arabic descents.
The theory of Arab origin supports that the kodagus wear long black coat with an embroidered waist belt known as Kuppia. It resembles the Kuffia worn by the Arabs and Kurds.

Q3. What are some of the things you know about :
1. The people of Coorg
A: They are hospitable and friendly . They will tell the tales of bravery of their sons and fathers.
2. The main crop of Coorg
A: Coffee.
3. What sports it offers to a tourist
A: These are river rafting , canoeing, rappelling , rock climbing , mountain biking and the walking trails.
4. What animals you are likely to see in Coorg
A: These are elephants , langurs and macaques .
5. Its distance from Bangalore and how to get there
A: Distance-250-260 K.m. The route via Mysore is often frequented one. The other route is via Neelamangal, Kunigal, Chanrayanapatna.