# Madikeri

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**Madikeri** (mɐɖikeːri), earlier called as **Mercara** is city and headquarters of [Kodagu district](/source/Kodagu_district) in the [Karnataka](/source/Karnataka) state of India. It is recognised as one of the world's eight "hottest hotspots" of biological diversity and is also a [UNESCO](/source/UNESCO) [World Heritage Site](/source/World_Heritage_Site).[3] The city is ranked 1st in India for clean air and [air quality index](/source/Air_quality_index) in 2024.[4]

## Etymology

Madikeri was known as *Muddu Raja Keri*,[5] which meant Mudduraja's town, was named after the prominent [Haleri](/source/Haleri) king Mudduraja who ruled [Kodagu](/source/Kodagu) from 1633 to 1687.[6][7] From 1834, during the [British Raj](/source/British_Raj), it was called *Mercara*. It was later renamed to Madikeri by the [Government of Mysore](/source/Mysore_State).[8][9]

## History

The history of Madikeri is related to the history of [Kodagu](/source/Kodagu). From the 2nd to the 6th century AD, the northern part of Kodagu was ruled by [Kadambas](/source/Kadamba_Dynasty). The southern part of Kodagu was ruled by [Gangas](/source/Western_Ganga_dynasty) from the 4th to the 11th century. After defeating the Gangas in the 11th century, [Cholas](/source/Chola) became the rulers of Kodagu. In the 12th century, the Cholas lost Kodagu to the [Hoysalas](/source/Hoysala). Kodagu fell to the [Vijayanagar](/source/Vijayanagara_Empire) kings in the 14th century.[7]

After their fall, the local chieftains from kodava community (*Palegars*) started ruling their areas directly. They appointed Haleri Dynasty founder Veeraraju, (Nephew of Ikkeri Sadashiva Nayaka who were descendants of Talakadu Ganga Dynasty) as ruler. In the year 1700 AD Ikkeri Somashekara Nayaka gifted Puttur and Amara Sullia Magnes of Tulunadu to Haleri Kings.

Descendants of Veeraraju who are known as "[Haleri Dynasty](/source/Kodagu_Kingdom)" ruled Kodagu from 1600 to 1834 AD. Haleri king Mudduraja built the Fort in Madikeri and made it[10] as their capital. Mudduraja, the third Haleri king started levelling the land around Madikeri and built a fort in the year 1681. [Madikeri Fort](/source/Madikeri_Fort) which was original built of mud and was replaced by [Tipu Sultan](/source/Tipu_Sultan). [Kodagu](/source/Kodagu) became a part of [British India](/source/British_India) after 1834 AD.[11][12]

## Demographics

As of the 2011 India census, Madikeri had a population of 33,381. Males constitute 57.2% of the population and females 42.8%. Madikeri had an average literacy rate of 85%, higher than the national average of 69.3: male literacy was 83%, and female literacy 80%. 11% of the population was under 6 years of age.[13]

## Geography and climate

Madikeri features a tropical highland climate as it has an elevation of 1,170 m (3,840 ft). Madikeri is located at [12.42°N 75.73°E](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?params=12.42_N_75.73_E).[14][15] Madikeri lies in the [Western Ghats](/source/Western_Ghats) and is a popular hill station. Nearest major cities are [Hassan](/source/Hassan,_Karnataka) (110 kilometres (68 mi)) to the north, [Mangalore](/source/Mangalore) (138 kilometres (86 mi)) to the north-west, [Mysore](/source/Mysore) (120 kilometres (75 mi)) to the east and [Kannur](/source/Kannur) of [Kerala](/source/Kerala) to the west (112 km (70 mi)). The nearest international airport is [Kannur International Airport](/source/Kannur_International_Airport) which is 90 km (56 mi) away.

The mean daily minimum temperature is lowest in January at about 11 °C (52 °F). Maximum temperature in summer is around 24 to 27 °C.[16] With the onset of the south-west monsoon, the temperature decreases in June and the weather becomes chilly. The lowest temperature recorded is 4.5 °C (40.1 °F).

In 2022, Madikeri hobli received an annual rainfall of 3,957 millimetres (155.8 in).[17]

In the year 2024, Madikeri hobli received 3,878 millimetres (152.7 in) of rainfall.[18]

In 2025, Madikeri received 3,885.1 millimetres (152.96 in) of annual rainfall.[19]

## Transportation

The town has only one mode of transport; The Roadways. Public transport is maintained by buses of [KSRTC](/source/Karnataka_State_Road_Transport_Corporation) and other private buses. It also houses a [KSRTC Bus Depot](/source/List_of_bus_depots_in_Karnataka) under [Puttur](/source/Puttur,_Karnataka) division. Inter-district and interstate buses are handled by KSRTC, providing connectivity to cities like [Mangalore](/source/Bejai_bus_stand), [Mysore](/source/Mysuru_Sub_Urban_Bus_Station), [Bengaluru](/source/Bengaluru), [Hubli](/source/Hubli), [Madurai](/source/Madurai), [Coimbatore](/source/Coimbatore) and many more other minor cities. Nearest international airports are [Kannur International Airport](/source/Kannur_International_Airport) and [Mangalore International Airport](/source/Mangalore_International_Airport) at 90 km and 140 km, respectively.

### Highways

The [SH-88](/source/List_of_state_highways_in_Karnataka) was upgraded to [NH-275](/source/National_Highway_275_(India)) (subsidiary of [NH-75](/source/National_Highway_75_(India))) making it the only National Highway passing through the district of [Kodagu](/source/Kodagu). NH-275 connects Madikeri to Mysore and Bengaluru due east and to Mangalore due west. Other state highways passing through Madikeri are [SH-27 (Virajpet-Byndoor)](/source/State_Highway_27_(Karnataka)) and [SH-89 (Madikeri-Kutta)](/source/State_Highway_89_(Karnataka)).

## Tourist attractions

- [Raja's Seat](/source/Raja's_Seat)
- Sri Omkareshwara Temple
- [Madikeri Fort](/source/Madikeri_Fort)
- Gaddide ([Raja's Tomb](/source/Raja's_Tomb))
- [General Thimmaiah War Museum](/source/General_Thimmaiah_War_Museum)
- Abbey Falls
- [Mandalpatti](/source/Mandalpatti) view point
- [Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary](/source/Pushpagiri_Wildlife_Sanctuary)

## See also

- [Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences](/source/Kodagu_Institute_of_Medical_Sciences)
- [Sakleshpur](/source/Sakleshpur)
- [Kodava](/source/Kodava_people)
- [Talakaveri](/source/Talakaveri)

## References

1. ["50th Report of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities in India (July 2012 to June 2013)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160708012438/http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM50thReport.pdf). Archived from [the original](http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM50thReport.pdf) on 8 July 2016. Retrieved 14 January 2015.

1. ["Vidyanagar(Madikeri-02) Post Office"](https://www.indiapost.gov.in/post-office-details-name?officename=Vidyanagar%20S.O). Retrieved 31 January 2026.

1. ["Western Ghats, Coorg, Western Ghats, India: Villas and ayurvedic spa in a World Heritage bio-diverse hotspot"](https://www.smh.com.au/traveller/inspiration/india-western-ghats-coorg-villas-and-ayurvedic-spa-in-a-world-heritage-biodiverse-hotspot-20190620-h1fk4k.html). 9 July 2019.

1. ["India’s top 10 cities with the best air quality in 2024: Global cities’ AQI insights revealed"](https://indianexpress.com/article/trending/top-10-listing/top-10-indian-cities-with-best-air-quality-index-aqi-2024-9680798/). *The Indian Express*. 2024-11-21.

1. ["About Coorg"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090426080651/http://www.coorg.com/history.html). *www.coorg.com*. Archived from [the original](https://www.coorg.com/about-coorg/) on 26 April 2009.

1. Kushalappa, Mookonda (2018). *1785 Coorg*. Madikeri, Kodagu: Codava Makkada Coota.

1. Kushalappa, Mookonda (2013). *The early Coorgs*. Chennai: Notion Press.

1. Kushalappa, Mookonda Nitin (2018). *Kodagu principality vs British Empire*. Madikeri, Kodagu: Codava Makkada Coota.

1. Kushalappa, Mookonda (2014). *Long ago in Coorg*. Chennai: Pothi.

1. Puttur Anantharaja Gowda (2015). *IN PURSUIT OF OUR ROOTS*

1. Jerry Dupont, *[The Common Law Abroad](https://books.google.com/books?id=pCX660FA5wMC&dq=kodagu+history+British+1834&pg=PA592)*, Wm. S. Hein Publishing, 2001, ISBN 0-8377-3125-9, from p 592

1. Kushalappa, Mookonda, Nitin (2018). *Kodagu principality vs British empire*. Codava Makkada Coota.

1. ["Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)"](http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999). Census Commission of India. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999) 16 June 2004 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 1 November 2008.

1. [Madikeri](http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/19/Madikeri.html), FallingRain.com

1. ["Maps, Weather, and Airports for Madikeri, India"](http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/19/Madikeri.html). *www.fallingrain.com*

1. [Ground Water Information Booklet](http://cgwb.gov.in/District_Profile/karnataka/KODAGU-BROCHURE.pdf), Ministry of Water Resources, 2007. Retrieved 23 June 2011.

1. ["Annual State Report 2022"](http://ksndmc.org/en/Root/DownloadFile?path=%5C%5C192.168.2.21%5Ce%24%5CKSNDMC%20REPORTS%5CAnnual%20Report%5CAnnual%20State%20Report%5CAR_2022.pdf&fileName=Annual%20State%20Reports_2022.pdf). Retrieved 26 July 2023.[dead link]

1. ["KSNDMC Annual Rainfall report 2024"](https://ksndmc.org/en/Root/DownloadFile?path=%5C%5C192.168.2.21%5Ce%24%5CKSNDMC%20REPORTS%5CAnnual%20Report%5CAnnual%20State%20Report%5CAR_2024.pdf&fileName=Annual%20State%20Reports_2024.pdf). Retrieved 21 March 2025.

1. ["KSNDMC Annual Report 2025;pg 31"](https://www.ksndmc.org/en/Root/DownloadFile?path=%5C%5C192.168.2.21%5Ce%24%5CKSNDMC%20REPORTS%5CAnnual%20Report%5CAnnual%20State%20Report%5CAR_2025.pdf&fileName=Annual%20State%20Reports_2025.pdf). Retrieved 26 February 2026.

## External links

- [Madikeri.org: Portal on Madikeri and Coorg](http://madikeri.org) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20101204194922/http://madikeri.org/) 4 December 2010 at the Wayback Machine
- [Madikeri: History and Architecture](https://web.archive.org/web/20081120163616/http://www.kaladarshana.com/sites/madikeri)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Madikeri](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madikeri) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madikeri?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.