Raja's Seat, Madikeri (Coorg) | 2023 Images, Best Time To Visit

Raja, Coorg Overview

Raja's Seat is a garden built on an elevated ground overseeing the valleys that lie to the west, making it a popular viewpoint to watch sunrise and sunset. Dotted with flowering plants and skillfully designed artificial fountains, Raja's Seat is located in Madikeri in the district of Coorg. The garden was a favourite venue to rejuvenate for the Kings of Kodagu, and they loved watching the sunsets sitting here as they spent some memorable time with their Queens. The garden here is a preferred picnic spot for the locals.

There is also a Toy Train available for your little ones to take a ride on and the fountains have been modified into musical fountains. Today, this place is managed by the Archaeological Survey of India and is considered of historical importance in the country. The Raja's Seat View Point is a huge semicircle pavilion built in the garden and located in such a way that the visitors get the best view of the green valley, especially during sunrise and sunset.

Toy Train Ride at Raja's Seat

A toy train runs all around the garden here The ride starts right at the entrance and costs only INR 20 per person per ride, and the train takes you all around the beautiful garden. It's fun to watch the seasonal blooms, the lush green park and get glimpses of the valley from some locations of the garden.

Gandhi Mantap

Raja's Seat is located in the middle of a garden called as Gandhi Mantap. This memorial is built in the honour of Mahatma Gandhi at the location where, in 1934, Bapu visited Coorg and address the locals. It is a brick and mortar structure with four pillars and arched bridges. The Sarvodaya Diwas is celebrated on 30th January every year in Coorg. This is the day Gandhiji was assassinated in 1948. During this day, a procession is arranged, and an urn containing Mahatma Gandhi's ashes are carried to the Raja's Seat. This procession is followed by reciting verses from the Bhagwad Gita, Koran and the Bible. Bhajans are sung, floral tributes are paid and a few minutes of silence is observed to pay respect to the Father of our Nation at the Gandhi Mantap. It is said that this is the only place, other than Delhi, where Bapu's ashes are preserved.

History of Raja's Seat

Raja's Seat, meaning the Seat of the King is a structure made of brick and mortar and consists of four pillars that are bridged by arches. This place was used by the Kings and the Queens of Kodagu who were the rulers of Karnataka for over 200 years from 1600 to 1834 CE. The seat served as a perfect location for a breathtaking view of the valley and the rolling mountain ranges far ahead. Since it faced the west, it served as the ideal place to capture beautiful sunset view, and hence the Kings and their Queens mostly watched the sunsets from here amidst the lush green gardens and fresh misty air of Coorg.

Best Time To Visit Raja's Seat

The ideal time to visit Raja's Seat is during sunrise and sunset. The view of the garden is simply mind-blowing with the rays of the sun creating a halo around the misty mountains.

Tips For Visiting Raja's Seat

1. To get a better place to view the sunset and musical fountains, try to reach well in advance.
2. Paid parking is available.
3. There are eateries outside the garden that serve snacks.
4. Although the place is safe, it is still advisable that parents keep a close watch on their children.
5. Visitors are responsible for their own safety and belongings.
6. Plastic is not allowed inside the garden.
7. There is ample seating space available throughout the garden.

How To Reach Raja's Seat

Situated in Madikeri, Raja's Seat is very accessible from any part of the town. It is just 1 km away from the Madikeri Bus Stand. An auto rickshaw or a taxi can be hired to reach this place.