Madikeri Fort

Madikeri Fort is a historic hill fort located in the centre of Madikeri town in Kodagu district, Karnataka. Originally built in mud by Mudduraja in the late 17th century, it was rebuilt in stone by Tipu Sultan and later by Lingarajendra Wodeyar II in 1812-1814. The fort complex houses a palace, the Kote Maha Ganapathi Temple, the former St. Mark's Church now a museum, and government offices, and is notable for its elevated setting and colonial-era architecture.

Visitors can expect a compact hilltop fort complex with stone walls, bastions and an arched entrance flanked by two life-size masonry elephants. Inside are the Madikeri Palace building housing the Deputy Commissioner's office, the Kote Maha Ganapathi Temple, the former St. Mark's Church which now functions as the Fort Museum with historical artefacts, and old prison cells. The grounds offer views over Madikeri town and a quiet heritage walk through well-maintained structures.

Originally built in mud by Haleri king Mudduraja in 1681, the fort was captured and rebuilt in stone by Tipu Sultan who renamed it Jaffarabad. It was later rebuilt in its present stone form by Lingarajendra Wodeyar II between 1812 and 1814. After the British annexation of Coorg in 1834, the fort was occupied by the British who added structures including St. Mark's Church in 1859 and used it for administrative purposes.

The fort complex reflects the layered heritage of Kodagu, including Haleri dynasty, Mysore Sultanate and British colonial influences. It houses the Kote Maha Ganapathi Temple, an active place of worship, and the former St. Mark's Church, now a museum displaying artefacts related to Kodagu history and culture, representing the region's diverse architectural and community heritage.