Visiting Raja's seat Madikeri Karnataka

One of the most common tourist spots of any tour package to Madikeri in Coorg, Karnataka, is Raja's Seat. On looking up feedback on Raja's Seat, most people say, "There's nothing much to do" or "It is basically just a garden where you can't really do anything" and other such inane stuff. What beats me is why on earth it is necessary to do something each time you visit a nice place. Why on earth can't people simply enjoy relaxing and doing nothing at all?! That is what Raja's Seat is meant for - relaxing, simply enjoying the lovely greenery and the beautiful views. 

So here's feedback on this lovely place in Madikeri from somebody who visited some years ago, and loved it for what it is - one of those rare green environments where you are not expected to do any of the usual touristy things!

Location
If you are part of a tour group, as we were, your tour guide will take you there from wherever it is you are staying. However, for those traveling on their own here's a little info: it is approx. 100 km from the Mysore airport. From the airport, you can hire a taxi to Madikeri, book your hotel rooms, and then hire another taxi or jeep to visit Raja's seat. It is advisable to ask your hotel's staff the distance from the hotel to Raja's seat and what should be the fare to take you there.

Timings for the Visitors
Check with your hotel the timings, as even though Raja's Seat is open for the public from the early morning hours to 8 p.m., it is possible that on certain days it may be closed for maintenance of the garden area. There is a nominal entry fee and a separate fee for the toy train ride within the premises.

Best Time to Visit
For the best scenic views, either go as soon as the garden opens or in the late evening to see the sky's changing hues as the sun dips over the horizon, and stay on to see the garden lights come on, as also the ones which light up the fountains in the garden. 

Captured on camera is the image below ~ the natural light in the sky framed between the artificial ones in the garden! 

The Garden
Walk around and take a close look at the lovely flowers blooming in the garden. 
 

Ask your guide to show you the Ummat flower if it is in season when you visit. One of the traditional local dances of Coorg is called  Ummathat, which is believed to have got its name from the Ummat flower. There were lots of flowers in bloom when we visited, all of pretty hues - lavender, yellow, orange, red...

Don't miss the unusual large slab of stone dedicated to the British - 

It states "Erected by the people of Kodagu (Coorg) to express their feelings of gratitude to all those British people who lie buried here for all their help and services rendered with great dedication in establishing our coffee and other plantations and communications"

There are plenty of seats in the garden to rest or you can sit on the cool grass. However, please do not litter! Use the conveniently placed dustbins held by rabbit-shaped structures. 

The Raja's Seat
Coming to the name of this lovely spot - The structure which is named the Raja's Seat is a large white structure within the garden that has a simple design. 

Most people believe that this is the place where the Kings who ruled the land here in a bygone era sat for many hours to enjoy the view of the hills with their Queens beside them. Our tour guide told an entirely different legend: that this is the place where the King sat to see the punishment meted out to criminals - they were thrown off the cliff from there!

Address-

Raja's Seat

Near Rajadarshan Hotel, Raja Seat Road, 

Stuart Hill, Madikeri - 571201

Karnataka