Madikeri (Karnataka), India - December 23rd, 2006

I am travelling this morning to Madikeri, the capital of the Kodago region, cooler temperatures than the rest of the region. It's a green and mountaneous area and forested hills, with lots of cardamon and coffee plantations. Kodago was independent until 1956, and now they are trying to restore the independence.
The people of this region are known as Kodavos, descendent of Persians and Kurds. They worship unique deities. Wedding ceremonies include complex dances, chopping off a banana leaf with a sword. Kodago is the only place in India where citizens ar allowed to own guns.
I arrived in town at 1:00pm and there wasn't room available anywhere. Apparently, this is a very big weekend, Christmas holidayss plus many weddings are taking place this weekend, as per their tradition. Luckily, a family of 'home stay' had a room and board outside town in a very nice green and quiet location.
This afternoon I went for a nice walk to town. In the evening many people go to see the sunset at Raja's Seat, the view is extraordinary, and also there are very nice gardens on the top to walk around.