Kushalnagar Voyage Tips and guide

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Kushalnagar (or Kushalanagara or Kushal Nagar, ಕುಶಾಲನಗರ) is a beautiful town that is in the border of Coorg, connecting the Mysore district is in between Mangalore and Mysore. It is part of under Somwarpet Taluk. It is the nearest transport hub for the Tibetan settlement of Bylakupee.

According to popular myth, the name was given by Hyder Ali who was camped there when he received news of the birth of his son Tipu and called it as Kushyal nagar ("town of gladness").

Kushalnagar has a lot of tourist attraction points, the town doesn't have ups and downs of the projected hill, which makes its land more stable and made town to be accommodate all kinds of business. This is the reason why people migrate more towards this town.

The nearest airports are:

• Mysore Airport. About 100 km away which takes around 2 hours of travelling via road. (updated Aug 2019), which is

• Kannur Airport. About 103 km away and takes around 3 hours to reach Kushalnagar by road. (updated Aug 2019)
• Manglore Airport. 173 km away, it takes around 4 hours to reach Kushalnagar by road. (updated Aug 2019)

The nearest railway stations aee:

1) Mysore state railway, which is about 88 km less than 2 hours journey by road

2) Kakkabe Puttur Railway station, which is around 120 km and takes near to 3 hours of journey by road.

Kushalnagar lies on the Karnataka that runs from Manglore to Mysore. The Rroad condition is good. Kushalnagar is 166 km far from Mangalore and 88 km from Mysore.

From Bangalore, take the (Bangalore-Mysore highway) and take a deviation just after the town of Srirangapatna to join State Highway 88 towards Hunsur. It's a distance of 222 km. Nearby towns are Hassan (115 km) and Madkeri (30 km).

Government and private buses are available to Kushalnagar. Self drive cars and jeeps are also available in this town. It is also easy to hire a local taxi or cab.

Self-Drive Cars are also available in this town, which is most preferred by many tourists, to come by bus till Kushalnagar and hire a self-drive car or Jeep from this town.

Taxis and auto rickshaw are available at reasonable rates. Local buses are not available in plenty. Walking may look tedious inside the town.

While other Coorg towns are undulating, Kushal Nagar is very flat and pleasant to walk. The traffic is hopeless in the main roads and you can forget walking in the Mysore road (B.M. Road) and the Madikeri road. All other roads are very pleasant to walk.

• Nisargadhama (3 km from Kushalnagar). Park is not too great, has some bamboo "machans" on trees, but the best part of it is the river is on the back-side. There is a beautiful picnic spot called Nisargadhama. If you want to go for elephant ride at Nisarga Dhama, please remember to buy ride-tickets along with your entry-ticket before you get in. They do not sell ride-tickets inside; it is a 0.5-km walk back to ticket counter if you forget. (updated Dec 2019)

• Sabarimala Sri Ayyappa Temple. Dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, this is the most famous and prominent among all the Sastha temples in Kerala. The temple is on a hilltop about 4000 feet above sea level named Sabarimala, which is unique in many respects. The uniqueness gathers its voice, as the temple is open to all, irrespective of caste, creed or religion. There is a place near the temple; east to Sannidhanam, dedicated to the Vavar (a sufi and friend of Lord Ayyappa) which is called 'Vavarunada', an epitome of religious harmony.  The temple remains open only for 127 days a year.  The journey to the temple is to be taken through difficult paths in the forest as the vehicles can go only up to Pampa. 

• Kanive. A small village 9 km north of Kushalanagar in Kodagu district of Karnataka state, India. Kanive also sits on the bank of Kaveri river. 
• CSI maddock Church, Koppa gate (2 km). (updated Oct 2016)

• Harangi Backwaters. Worth visiting immediately after the rainy season when one can experience the full glory of the Harangi backwater reservoir. Though not much of activity oriented place but worth spending couple of hours. 
• Harangi Reservoir (Hudgur village, Somwarpet taluk in Kodagu district). The reservoir is formed by a masonry dam built across the river Harangi, a tributary of the Kaveri. The dam is about 9 km away from the heart of Kushalnagartown. (updated Dec 2019)
• Harangi Dam gardens, Hudgur village (6 km). Beautiful garden surrounded by water bodies and cute little temples. Limited bus facility. Share autorikshaws charges Rs.15 per head. (updated Oct 2016)
• Nasargadham Bamboo Gardens, Madikeri Road (3 km). This is a 25-acre island filled with bamboos, teak, sandalwod and tree houses. Kaveri river flows around it. (updated Oct 2016)
• Valnoor Fishing camp, near Dubare elephant camp (18 km). (updated Oct 2016)
• Chikihole Dam, Near Suntikopa town (15 km). A small reservoir built across the river Chiklihole flowing through the Cauvery basin of Karnataka. The dam is near the town of Nanjarayapattana that lies between Madikeri and Kushalnagar in the Kodagu or Coorg district of Karnataka. The best part about the location of the dam is that it stands 5 km from the Dubare forest. (updated Oct 2016)

• 12.371675.90511 Dubare Elephant Camp (on the bank of river Kaveri, on the Kushalnagar - Siddapur road). This is an island with facilities for capturing and training elephants. Boat service is available. The Dubare Elephant Camp is a must-experience for the elephant lover in you. Karnataka’s history with elephants, goes a long way back. The state’s Forest Department has about 150 elephants in various camps. The largest land animal is captured here with the help of tamed elephants and local tribals, the Kurbas, and is held captive for up to 6 months in large teak wood cages. The tamed elephants attend to various jobs during the day and in the mornings they come down to the river to bathe and to be scrubbed clean by their mahouts. In the mornings, all the elephants are offered a special treat of ladoos made of ragi and jaggery, each no smaller than a cannon ball! Elephant rides are no longer permitted, which mist be a relief to the elephants. To get to the camp you will need to cross the small still water lagoon over motor boat or still water rafting or by a small trek over a rocky pathway (no trekking in rainy seasons). Ideally you can raft across the river to reach the camp and trek back over the river over the rock pathway. If you are young and don't mind wetting your feet, the rocky path is fun and is not dangerous. You could also do white water rafting at this place. The rafting distance is about 7 km and path is a great combination of rocks and water. A must do if you are looking for some adventure Adult ₹100, camera fee ₹400, boat ride ₹50. (updated May 2024)
• Tibetan Golden Temple (Tibetan Monastery), Bylakuppe (6 km from Kushalnagar towards Mysore). The Tibet Camp, as locally called, is the largest Tibetan settlement in Southern India. There are 2 monasteries now nearby, one old and the other is new. Don't miss the new, on the way, while going towards old one. You can shop for Tibetan and Chinese handicrafts, decorative and religious items. The tiny Tibetan colony in here is an ideal escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. The enclosed calm and the spiritual ambiance of the place welcomes all the visitors. There are around 16,000 refugees and nearly 6,000 monks and nuns in this monastery. (updated Oct 2016)
• Ramalingeshwara Temple, Kanive village (6 km). Beautiful riverside temple with hanging bridge and natural scenery. (updated Oct 2016)
• Kudige Temple, Kudige on Hassan Road (3 km). Beautiful temple surrounding by peaceful riverside locality suitable for trekking. (updated Oct 2016)
• Ayyappa Swamy Temple, River Road (1 km). (updated Oct 2016)
• Tavare Kere Lake, Near Coorg Complex, Polytechnic area (2 km). (updated Oct 2016)
• Ronde Kere lake, Near gowda Samaja. (updated Oct 2016)
• Tapovana Monastery, Gumen Kolly, Hassan Road (2 km). (updated Oct 2016)
• Udhbhav Subramanya Temple, Kudige (3 km). (updated Oct 2016)

Visit Cauvery Nisargadhama early in the morning. There is a hanging bridge over the river. The place is too good in the snow.

• Horse and Elephant riding at Cauvery Nisargadhama.
• Pedal boating.
• Play in the river (watch for careful sings & boards by Govt. though).
• River rafting at Dubare.

Home made chocolates are commonly found in shops.

• Green Land, Near Post office, ☏ +91 9980735820, +91 8276274445. Kerala style meat and fish dishes. Fishcurry lunchː Rs.120. Spacious upstairs section. (updated Oct 2016)

Around Kushalnagar and close to Nisargadhama island, tourists could buy below:

• Wooden made wall clocks, kitchen items, kids toys and many Chinese made items can also be purchased.
• Home made chocolates.
• Ayurveda medicine oils.
• Green tea, Coffee tea and many other.
• Special food items.
• woolen dresses for kids.
• Leather hats.
• Kaveri bakery, Madikeri road.

• Purple Palms Resort & Spa, Coorg, Bollur Village, Guddehosur Post, ☏ +91 91085 06887. Restaurant, bar, swimming pool, kids' play area, games room. 2 nights for 2 adults and 2 children with breakfast and dinner: winter ₹16,000, summer ₹30,000. (updated Aug 2019)
• The Casiita, Mysore-Madikeri Road, opposite Cauvery Nisargadhama, Guddehosur Post, ☏ +91 97 4242 6080. 21 rooms and cottages. Double from ₹2,600. (updated Aug 2019)
• Maharaja Hotel, Koppa gate (2 km), ☏ +91 9742631745, +91 9980516161. (updated Oct 2016)
• Mahalaxmi Residency, River Road (0 km), ☏ +91 96323 21829. On the left side of the KSRTC bus station. (updated Oct 2016)
• Iceberg Lodge, Koppa gate (2 km), ☏ +91 8296796270, +91 9605330152. In-house BSR Restaurant gives Kerala food. ₹800 for double room. (updated Oct 2016)
• Top in Town, Near Koppa Bridge (2 km), ☏ +91 8276272837, +91 9535477444. ₹2,000. (updated Oct 2016)
• Bhagavathi Lodge, Opp.Post Office (0.5 km), ☏ +91 8317370126. No western toilets. Rooms are spacious with great windows and big bed and TV. ₹800. (updated Oct 2016)
• Remya Lodge, Near Travancore Coffee Estate, Kudige (3 km). Peaceful riverside locality suitable for trekking. ₹2,600. (updated Oct 2016)
• Bird of Paradise (Homestay in Coorg), 13, State Highway, 91, Kudumangalore, Kudige Post, Kushalnagar, ☏ +91 98451 24026, +91 80500 71715, +91 80500 71715, +91 94484 60580, [email protected]. Bird of Paradise Homestay in Coorg spread across a sprawling 7-acre estate. Accommodation options include: individual rooms, cottages, tree house & dormitory accommodation for large traveller groups. Tariff options include rates with or without food. Entertainment includes, Coracle rides in the Cauvery River, close to the home stay. Bonfire in the evening with music, indoor & outdoor games, & swimming pool. (updated Oct 2016)
• Athithi Comforts Two star hotel, Mangalore - Mysore Highway, Opposite Government Polytechnic College, ☏ +91 94813 26888. (updated Feb 2022)
• The Casiita, opp. Cauvery Nisargadhama, Guddehosur Post (2 km away from Kushalnagar town towards Madikeri), ☏ +91 9448648350, [email protected]. Located away from the hustle and bustle of the town with 15 rooms and cottages. 
• Amanvana Spa Resort, No. 21, Bollur Village, Guddehosur, Kushalnagar, Coorg (Near Mysore - Madikeri Road), ☏ +91 94806 96070. Boutique spa resort in Coorg on the banks of the River Kaveri, with private bungalows with courtyards. Activities include golf, an open-air amphitheater, a fine dining restaurant, pool, Jacuzzi and a herbal garden. 

• Bylakuppe
• Honnamana Kere
• Madikeri - at the tip of Coorg district. Making Madikeri town as central point, tourist can visit to:
  • Kushal Nagar - visit the Tala Cauvery, the birth location of Cauvery river and Bhagamandala pilgrimage location
  • Mysore - towards east
  • Mangalore -towards North
  • Nagarhole National Park
  • Bandipur National Park