About 40 km away from Madikeri city, Talcauveri is located amid green mountains and blue peaks.

A strong steady wind forces you to be cautious when venturing beyond the fenced area. This is a great place to take in the scenery and snap some gorgeous pictures.

There is a steep mountain adjacent to this holy place and you can climb the stairs for a fantastic panoramic view.

Raja's Seat, literally meaning Seat of the King, is located at the western end of Madikeri where Muddu Raja, the king who founded the city, is said to have watched the sun set.

This spot is worth a visit thanks to its view and vast greenery.

There is also a musical fountain to entertain tourists. For visitors who have come to enjoy the sunset, the cool rhythmic sprays of water set to the music are a real treat.

Located on the banks of the Cauvery, Dubare has an elephant training camp that has been set up by the forest department.

Crossing the river by speedboat to visit the camp is quite an experience and I enjoyed it. Once at the camp, we got to see how wild elephants are trained. Guests can also help bathe the elephants. If that's too hands-on for you, you could opt for an elephant ride instead.