Madikeri Fort In Coorg, Karnataka

History of Madikeri Fort

The history of Madikeri fort is gripping and attracts many people. This magnificent fort was first constructed in the late seventeenth century by Muddu Raja, who was the king at that time, on the occasion of declaring Madikeri as the new capital of Coorg. The possession of this fort passed through various hands after it was captured by Tipu Sultan. Madikeri Fort in Coorg was eventually rebuilt by Tipu Sultan who then gave it the name of Jaffarabad. In 1790, the fort was taken over by Dodda Vira Rajendra and then later by the British. Consequently, there occurred many changes in the structure and design of the fort as well, the most major ones were made by the British.

Presently, the Madikeri Fort houses the office of Madikeri Deputy Commissioner, as well as other objects of interest to the visitors. These include two life-sized elephants at the entrance, a Madikeri museum, and many important artefacts and portraits.

Architecture and structure of Madikeri Fort

The architecture of Madikeri fort tempts many people to visit this grand palace. The Madikeri Palace showcases beautiful architectural designs. Two life-size stone replicas of elephants stand in the north-east corner and draw the attention of the visitors as they enter into the fort. This two storied palace is 110 feet in length. The structure was also renovated twice by the British. In 1933 the Britishers added a grand clock tower to the fort.

Another interesting aspect of the fort is that Madikeri Fort is a unique fort that houses among other structures a temple, an Anglican Church, a prison and a museum. The fact that a Church is present inside the fort indicates the dominance of the British rulers over the fort. The St. Marks Church was built by the British after removing a temple and making place for the construction of the church. The church was built in Gothic style.

The secret explorable passageways add to the mystery of the fort. Tourists should plan a visit during the evening to witness the glorious sunset.

The fort is believed to have some secret passages and that adds to the mystery of the Madikeri fort.

About Madikeri Fort Museum

The Madikeri Fort is a unique link between the present and the past. The St. Marks Church has been converted into a museum which is looked after by the Karnataka State Archaeological Department. The Madikeri Fort museum conserves many historical artefacts and antique items related to the fort and the surrounding regions. The artefacts are mainly from the British era. A section of the museum is dedicated to awards and honours bestowed upon Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa from the Indian Army and Coorg’s eminent personality.

Apart from the museum the Madikeri fort in Coorg also houses the District prison, Kote Maha Ganapathi Temple and Mahatma Gandhi Public Library. The Kote Maha Ganapathi temple is considered to be the oldest part of the fort and is one of the most visited attractions too.

Places to visit near Madikeri Fort

The famous tourist places to visit near Madikeri Fort are:

Abbey Falls: These falls are around 4 kilometers away from Madikeri Fort and are known for their stunning beauty. The fall gushes from a height of around 70 feet and the place is considered to be a famous picnic spot.

Raja’s Seat: Raja’s Seat is around 1 kilometers away from the Madikeri Fort and offers breathtaking views of sunsets. The place is also famous for panoramic views of Madikeri town.

Gaddige Raja’s Tomb: It is another famous tourist places to visit near Madikeri Fort. The tomb is around a kilometer away from the fort. The place is known for gorgeous architecture and dates back to the year 1820.

Omkareshwara Temple: The temple is around 2 kilometers away from the fort. The temple is known for its architectural styles which are influenced by both Islamic and Gothic architecture.