Synopsis The traditional buildings of Coorg, or Kodagu, are among the most striking cultural expressions of this distinctive region of South India. For centuries the belief systems, social bonds, and family rituals associated with these distinctive built forms ensured their preservation and the continuity of their place in the life of the community. These elaborate, handsomely built mud, stone, and timber structures served as physical testaments to the prosperity and wellbeing of Kodava families. The fast pace of cultural change that is now sweeping India poses grave threats to traditional skills and indigenous built forms. The first task in conserving a cultural tradition is to document it thoroughly. Towards that end, this book documents the three major building types of Coorg architecture: the ainemane, the temple, and the independent house. In addition to providing a record of a distinctive architectural tradition, the book attempts to inculcate a fuller understanding the appreciation of the values, beliefs, and practices that shaped it. out of this, we believe, will emerge the commitment to preserve and protect the tradition.