
Raja's Seat (Seat of the King) is a culturally significant site and tourist attraction in
Madikeri of
Coorg District. It is 270km away from
Bangalore
Bengaluru, also known as Bangalore (List of renamed places in India#Karnataka, its official name until 1 November 2014), is the Capital city, capital and largest city of the southern States and union territories of India, Indian state of Kar ...
, the capital of
Karnataka
Karnataka ( ) is a States and union territories of India, state in the southwestern region of India. It was Unification of Karnataka, formed as Mysore State on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, States Re ...
.
Raja's Seat is located in the middle of a garden called as Gandhi Mantap. It 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 garden is known for its scenery, and was a favourite place of
recreation
Recreation is an activity of leisure, leisure being discretionary time. The "need to do something for recreation" is an essential element of human biology and psychology. Recreational activities are often done for happiness, enjoyment, amusement, ...
for the
Raja
Raja (; from , IAST ') is a noble or royal Sanskrit title historically used by some Indian subcontinent, Indian rulers and monarchs and highest-ranking nobles. The title was historically used in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
T ...
s, and hence was permanently associated with them. It is built on a high level ground overlooking the cliffs and valleys to the west.
The
Sarvodaya Diwas (also referred to as Martyrs' Day) is celebrated annually on 30th January in Coorg, the day of
Gandhiji's assassination 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
The Bible is a collection of religious texts that are central to Christianity and Judaism, and esteemed in other Abrahamic religions such as Islam. The Bible is an anthology (a compilation of texts of a variety of forms) originally writt ...
.
Bhajans are sung, floral tributes are paid, and a few minutes of silence is observed to pay respects.
References
{{Kodagu (Coorg) topics
Tourist attractions in Kodagu district
Gardens in India