Kokrebellur Pelicanry

Kokkarebellur (Kokrebellur) is a village in Maddur taluk of Mandya district of Karnataka. Kokkare Bellur Pelicanry rests on the banks of the River Shimsha. Kokrebellur Bird Sanctuary is a natural habitat of birds like painted stork, pelican, crane and few migratory birds. The village is named after the Painted Stork (Ibis Leucocephalus) called "Kokkare" in Kannada language. It is situated near Maddur between the cities of Mysore and Bangalore. Apart from Painted Storks the Spotbilled Pelicans, are also found here. Both are classified as "near threatened category" in IUCN Red List of 2009. The village is one of the 21 breeding sites existing in India.

The uniqueness in Kokkarebellur is the long established bonding between the Spot-billed Pelicans and the villagers who have adopted this bird as their heritage, since they consider the birds as harbingers of good luck and prosperity to the village. The benefits derived by the villagers from these birds are basically in the form of phosphorus and potassium rich manure obtained from the bird droppings called 'guano'. Further, over the years, the popularity of this uniqueness has also attracted tourists to the village to watch the birds.

Best time to visit is Dec when you can see chicks. You can spot birds on trees in the village.

The village is 83 km from Bangalore, off the Mysore Highway by around 12 km. Take the following route: Bangalore – Bidadi – Ramanagara – Channapatna and before reaching Maddur, you will come to a place named Rudrakshipura. From here, you have to take the inner road for around 12 km till you reach your destination.

Another attraction in this area is the Chennakesava Temple complex, built on Hoysala Architecture. Ranganathittu is another bird sanctuary located a short distance away.