Rajara Gaddige to flaunt a park soon

Rajara Gaddige is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kodagu. A park is being laid in front of it to give a new look to the historic monument.

Rajara Gaddige, which remained neglected for the past several years, will see a facelift with the Madikeri Urban Development Authority coming forward to beautify it.

The authority will spend Rs 39 lakh towards it. A sum of Rs 8.74 lakh will be utilised for a pond, seating arrangement and pathway.

A lawn will be grown at a cost of Rs 8.75 lakh. A sum of Rs 8.5 lakh will be used for planting ornamental plants. A sum of Rs 3 lakh would be utilised for installing solar lamps and for watering plants. As many as 35 benches will be placed in the park.

A lotus pond will be constructed. Ornamental plants will be brought from Rajamandri SNV Nursery in Hyderabad. Some of the plants, which will adorn the park are board of paradise, button roses, royal palms, areca palms, phoenix flower, Buddha's belly dressing plants  and others, said Land Green Space company manager M S Sudheer. “We are also planning for a children’s play park on the left side of the Gaddige,” he said.

The park will be developed on the lines of the famous Raja Seat, said MUDA president Sajjil Krishnan.

Rajara Gaddige
Rajara Gaddige is the mausoleum of the former kings of Kodagu, namely Doddaveerarajendra, Lingarajendra and Rajaguru Rudrappa. Gaddige has two identical square structures, which are the tombs of the king Doddaveerarajendra and his queen.

They are close to each other, built in Indo-Sarcanic style, flaunting domes and pillars.
On the left side, there is tomb of Lingarajendra which was built by his son Chikkaveerarajendra in 1820. There is tomb of Rudrappa which was built in 1834.