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{{pp|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Madikeri
| other_name = Mercara 
| nickname = Misty City of Karnataka
| settlement_type = City
| image_skyline = {{Photomontage
| photo1a = Raja's Seat View Point.jpg
| photo2a = Coorg_-_The_Scotland_of_India.jpg
| photo2b = Sri Omkareshwara Temple, Coorg 01.jpg
| photo3a = Gaddige, Raja’s tomb, Madikeri, Coorg.jpg
| photo3b = Abbey Falls 2022 4.jpg
| photo4a = Madikeri Place.jpg
| spacing = 1
| color_border = white
| color =
| size = 275
| foot_montage = ''From top, left to right:''<br /> [[Raja's Seat]] View Point, Grasslands in [[Pushpagiri (mountain)|Kumara Parvatha]], Omkareshwara Temple, Gaddige (Raja’s tomb), Abbey Waterfalls, [[Madikeri Fort|Madikeri Palace]]
}}
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-zoom = 6
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Madikeri in Karnataka
| pushpin_map =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption =
| coordinates = {{coord|12.4209|N|75.7397|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flagicon image|Seal of Karnataka.svg|Emblem of Karnataka}} [[Karnataka]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Kodagu]]
| blank_name = {{nowrap|[[Official language]]}}
| blank_info = [[Kannada]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM50thReport.pdf |title=50th Report of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities in India (July 2012 to June 2013) |access-date=14 January 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160708012438/http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM50thReport.pdf |archive-date=8 July 2016}}</ref>

| established_title = Muddurajana Keri
| established_date = 1681
| founder = [[Kingdom of Coorg|Mudduraja]]
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body = [[Nagar panchayat|City Municipal Council]]
| leader_title1 = CMC Commissioner
| leader_name1 = Ramesh H R
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 = 17.04
| area_rural_km2 =
1435.32
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 1170
| population_total = 33,381
| population_rural =
113202
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/619/download/2124/DH_2011_2922_PART_B_DCHB_KODAGU.pdf|access-date=1 September 2023|title=Census Data Handbook 2011}}</ref>
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 571201, 571202 <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiapost.gov.in/post-office-details-name?officename=Vidyanagar%20S.O|access-date=31 January 2026|title=Vidyanagar(Madikeri-02) Post Office}}</ref>
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| area_code = 08272
| registration_plate = [[List of RTO districts in India#KA—Karnataka|KA-12]]
| website = {{Url|madikericity.mrc.gov.in}}
| footnotes =
}}
'''Madikeri''' ({{IPA|kfa|mɐɖikeːri|lang}}), earlier called as '''Mercara''' is city and headquarters of [[Kodagu district]] in the [[Karnataka]] state of India. It is recognised as one of the world's eight "hottest hotspots" of biological diversity and is also a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.smh.com.au/traveller/inspiration/india-western-ghats-coorg-villas-and-ayurvedic-spa-in-a-world-heritage-biodiverse-hotspot-20190620-h1fk4k.html | title=Western Ghats, Coorg, Western Ghats, India: Villas and ayurvedic spa in a World Heritage bio-diverse hotspot | date=9 July 2019 }}</ref> The city is ranked 1st in India for clean air and [[air quality index]] in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-21 |title=India’s top 10 cities with the best air quality in 2024: Global cities’ AQI insights revealed |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/trending/top-10-listing/top-10-indian-cities-with-best-air-quality-index-aqi-2024-9680798/ |access-date= |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

== Etymology ==
Madikeri was known as ''Muddu Raja Keri'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.coorg.com/about-coorg/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090426080651/http://www.coorg.com/history.html|url-status=dead|title=About Coorg|archivedate=26 April 2009|website=www.coorg.com}}</ref> which meant Mudduraja's town, was named after the prominent [[Haleri]] king Mudduraja who ruled [[Kodagu]] from 1633 to 1687.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Kushalappa|first=Mookonda|title=1785 Coorg|publisher=Codava Makkada Coota|year=2018|location=Madikeri, Kodagu}}</ref><ref name="Kushalappa 2013">{{Cite book|last=Kushalappa|first=Mookonda|title=The early Coorgs|publisher=Notion Press|year=2013|location=Chennai|language=English}}</ref> From 1834, during the [[British Raj]], it was called ''Mercara''. It was later renamed to Madikeri by the [[Mysore State|Government of Mysore]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Kushalappa|first=Mookonda Nitin|title=Kodagu principality vs British Empire|publisher=Codava Makkada Coota|year=2018|location=Madikeri, Kodagu|language=English}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Kushalappa|first=Mookonda|title=Long ago in Coorg|publisher=Pothi|year=2014|location=Chennai|language=English}}</ref>

== History ==
[[File:Madikeri map.jpg|thumb|left|Map c. 1854]]
The history of Madikeri is related to the history of [[Kodagu]]. From the 2nd to the 6th century AD, the northern part of Kodagu was ruled by [[Kadamba Dynasty|Kadamba]]s. The southern part of Kodagu was ruled by [[Western Ganga dynasty|Gangas]] from the 4th to the 11th century. After defeating the Gangas in the 11th century, [[Chola]]s became the rulers of Kodagu. In the 12th century, the Cholas lost Kodagu to the [[Hoysala]]s. Kodagu fell to the [[Vijayanagara Empire|Vijayanagar]] kings in the 14th century.<ref name="Kushalappa 2013"/>

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 "[[Kodagu Kingdom|Haleri Dynasty]]" ruled Kodagu from 1600 to 1834 AD. Haleri king Mudduraja built the Fort in Madikeri and made it<ref name="Tulu gowdas">{{cite book|author=Puttur Anantharaja Gowda|title=IN PURSUIT OF OUR ROOTS|year=2015}}</ref> as their capital. Mudduraja, the third Haleri king started levelling the land around Madikeri and built a fort in the year 1681. [[Madikeri Fort]] which was original built of mud and was replaced by [[Tipu Sultan]]. [[Kodagu]] became a part of [[British India]] after 1834 AD.<ref>Jerry Dupont, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=pCX660FA5wMC&dq=kodagu+history+British+1834&pg=PA592 The Common Law Abroad]'', Wm. S. Hein Publishing, 2001, {{ISBN|0-8377-3125-9}}, from p 592</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Kushalappa|first=Mookonda, Nitin|title=Kodagu principality vs British empire|publisher=Codava Makkada Coota|year=2018|language=English}}</ref>

== 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=16 June 2004|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=1 November 2008|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref>

== Geography and climate ==
Madikeri features a tropical highland climate as it has an elevation of {{cvt|1170|m}}. Madikeri is located at {{Coord|12.42|N|75.73|E|}}.<ref>[http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/19/Madikeri.html Madikeri], FallingRain.com</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/19/Madikeri.html |title=Maps, Weather, and Airports for Madikeri, India|website=www.fallingrain.com}}</ref> Madikeri lies in the [[Western Ghats]] and is a popular hill station. Nearest major cities are [[Hassan, Karnataka|Hassan]] ({{convert|110|km|mi}}) to the north, [[Mangalore]] ({{convert|138|km|mi}}) to the north-west, [[Mysore]] ({{convert|120|km|mi}}) to the east and [[Kannur]] of [[Kerala]] to the west ({{cvt|112|km}}). The nearest international airport is [[Kannur International Airport]] which is {{cvt|90|km}} away.

The mean daily minimum temperature is lowest in January at about {{cvt|11|°C}}. Maximum temperature in summer is around {{cvt|24 to 27|°C}}.<ref>[http://cgwb.gov.in/District_Profile/karnataka/KODAGU-BROCHURE.pdf Ground Water Information Booklet], Ministry of Water Resources, 2007. Retrieved 23 June 2011.</ref> With the onset of the south-west monsoon, the temperature decreases in June and the weather becomes chilly. The lowest temperature recorded is {{cvt|4.5|°C}}.

{{Weather box
| location = Madikeri (1981–2010, extremes 1901–2012)
| metric first = Yes
| single line = Yes
| width = auto
|temperature colour =
| Jan record high C = 31.7
| Feb record high C = 32.1
| Mar record high C = 34.2
| Apr record high C = 34.2
| May record high C = 35.0
| Jun record high C = 32.2
| Jul record high C = 28.9
| Aug record high C = 31.0
| Sep record high C = 30.0
| Oct record high C = 30.3
| Nov record high C = 28.5
| Dec record high C = 29.0
| year record high C = 35.0
| Jan high C = 26.4
| Feb high C = 28.2
| Mar high C = 29.8
| Apr high C = 29.4
| May high C = 27.5
| Jun high C = 23.3
| Jul high C = 21.6
| Aug high C = 21.6
| Sep high C = 23.6
| Oct high C = 25.0
| Nov high C = 25.3
| Dec high C = 25.3
| year high C = 25.6
| Jan low C = 12.4
| Feb low C = 13.1
| Mar low C = 15.0
| Apr low C = 17.5
| May low C = 18.1
| Jun low C = 17.6
| Jul low C = 17.2
| Aug low C = 17.2
| Sep low C = 17.1
| Oct low C = 16.9
| Nov low C = 15.6
| Dec low C = 13.2
| year low C = 15.9

| Jan record low C = 4.8
| Feb record low C = 5.1
| Mar record low C = 7.6
| Apr record low C = 10.6
| May record low C = 9.4
| Jun record low C = 9.2
| Jul record low C = 8.8
| Aug record low C = 9.5
| Sep record low C = 10.0
| Oct record low C = 10.6
| Nov record low C = 7.9
| Dec record low C = 5.5
| year record low C = 4.8
| rain colour = green
| Jan rain mm = 1.6
| Feb rain mm = 3.0
| Mar rain mm = 15.0
| Apr rain mm = 65.3
| May rain mm = 128.7
| Jun rain mm = 646.3
| Jul rain mm = 952.5
| Aug rain mm = 821.0
| Sep rain mm = 274.7
| Oct rain mm = 211.0
| Nov rain mm = 70.8
| Dec rain mm = 20.0
| year rain mm = 3210.0
| Jan rain days = 0.2
| Feb rain days = 0.3
| Mar rain days = 1.6
| Apr rain days = 5.0
| May rain days = 7.8
| Jun rain days = 22.2
| Jul rain days = 27.0
| Aug rain days = 26.2
| Sep rain days = 16.2
| Oct rain days = 12.2
| Nov rain days = 4.4
| Dec rain days = 1.1
| year rain days = 124.1
|time day = 17:30 [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| Jan humidity = 58
| Feb humidity = 55
| Mar humidity = 57
| Apr humidity = 69
| May humidity = 77
| Jun humidity = 90
| Jul humidity = 93
| Aug humidity = 93
| Sep humidity = 88
| Oct humidity = 83
| Nov humidity = 74
| Dec humidity = 65
|year humidity = 76
|source 1 = [[India Meteorological Department]]<ref name=IMDnormals>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205040301/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf
| archive-date = 5 February 2020
| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf
| title = Station: Madikeri/Mercara Climatological Table 1981–2010
| work = Climatological Normals 1981–2010
| publisher = India Meteorological Department
| date = January 2015
| pages = 489–490
| access-date = 19 April 2020}}</ref><ref name=IMDextremes>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205042509/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf
| archive-date = 5 February 2020
| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf
| title = Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)
| publisher = India Meteorological Department
| date = December 2016
| page = M99
| access-date = 19 April 2020}}</ref>
}}

In 2022, Madikeri hobli received an annual rainfall of {{convert|3957|mm|in}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=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|access-date=26 July 2023|title=Annual State Report 2022}}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

In the year 2024, Madikeri hobli received {{convert|3878|mm|in}} of rainfall.<ref>{{cite web|url=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|access-date=21 March 2025|title=KSNDMC Annual Rainfall report 2024}}</ref>
[[File:Raja seat madikeri.JPG|right|thumb|Raja's Seat, one of the major tourist attractions in Madikeri]]

In 2025, Madikeri received {{convert|3885.1|mm|in}} of annual rainfall.<ref>{{cite web|url=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|access-date=26 February 2026|title=KSNDMC Annual Report 2025;pg 31}}</ref>

==Transportation==
[[File:Chelavara Water Falls and surroundings (9).jpg|thumb|[[Chelavara Falls]] near Virajpet]]
The town has only one mode of transport; The Roadways.
Public transport is maintained by buses of [[Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation|KSRTC]] and other private buses. It also houses a [[List of bus depots in Karnataka|KSRTC Bus Depot]] under [[Puttur, Karnataka|Puttur]] division. Inter-district and interstate buses are handled by KSRTC, providing connectivity to cities like [[Mangalore]], [[Mysore]], [[Bengaluru]], [[Hubli]], [[Madurai]], [[Coimbatore]] and many more other minor cities. Nearest international airports are [[Kannur International Airport]] and [[Mangalore International Airport]] at 90 km and 140 km, respectively.

===Highways===
The [[List of state highways in Karnataka|SH-88]] was upgraded to [[National Highway 275 (India)|NH-275]] (subsidiary of [[National Highway 75 (India)|NH-75]]) making it the only National Highway passing through the district of [[Kodagu]]. NH-275 connects Madikeri to Mysore and Bengaluru due east and to Mangalore due west. Other state highways passing through Madikeri are [[State Highway 27 (Karnataka)|SH-27 (Virajpet-Byndoor)]] and [[State Highway 89 (Karnataka)|SH-89 (Madikeri-Kutta)]].

== Tourist attractions ==
[[File:Madikeri Fort Museum.jpg|thumb|Government Museum in Madikeri, formerly St. Mark's Church]]
* [[Raja's Seat]]
* Sri Omkareshwara Temple
* [[Madikeri Fort]]
* Gaddide ([[Raja's Tomb]])
* [[General Thimmaiah War Museum]]
* Abbey Falls
* [[Mandalpatti]] view point
*[[Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary]]

== See also ==
{{Portal|India}}
* [[Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences]]
* [[Sakleshpur]]
* [[Kodava people|Kodava]]
* [[Talakaveri]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons category|Madikeri}}
* {{wikivoyage inline|Madikeri}}
* [http://madikeri.org Madikeri.org: Portal on Madikeri and Coorg] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101204194922/http://madikeri.org/ |date=4 December 2010 }}
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20081120163616/http://www.kaladarshana.com/sites/madikeri Madikeri: History and Architecture]}}

{{Kodagu (Coorg) topics}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Kodava people]]
[[Category:Kodava Takk]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Kodagu district]]
[[Category:Populated places in the Western Ghats]]
[[Category:Tourism in Karnataka]]
[[Category:Hill stations in Karnataka]]
[[Category:Hills of Karnataka]]
[[Category:Former capitals in India]]
[[Category:Geography of Kodagu district]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Kodagu district]]

Madikeri - Revision history

Proabin at 22:56, 13 March 2026