With its natural marvels, Chikkamagaluru, the birthplace of coffee, welcomes you to the wonders of uncharted beauty. It is a place blessed with captivating waterfalls, green forests, temples and outstanding sylvan environs. Welcome to a voyage into the heart of nature...

Chikkamagaluru nestles serenely at the foothills of the Bababudangiri range in Karnataka in India. A beautiful town gifted with vivid green forests, hilly terrain, fast flowing rivers and thunderous waterfalls. The coffee plantations and tea estates, which extend beyond the horizon, are incredible, and one cannot really afford to miss them during a visit to the place.

The natives believe that Chikkamagaluru was given as dowry to the younger daughter of Rukmangada, the legendary chief of Sakrepatna, which is near Kadur in Karnataka. Hence, the name ‘Chikkamagaluru’. Approximately five km away is ‘Hiremagaluru’, which means the ‘town of the elder daughter’. It was in Chikkamagaluru that the well-known Muslim saint, Baba Budan, brought seven coffee seeds from Yemen in 1670 AD and sowed them at what, from ancient times, was called Chandra Drona Parvatha.

Situated 28 km north of Chikkamagaluru town, the hill was later renamed Baba Budan Giri hill. It is the local belief that the 3 caves found here were blessed by 3 siddhas, who are till today commemorated by an annual Fair. Thus, this place is of historical and religious significance to both Muslims and Hindus. Mullayanagiri Chikkamagaluru is home to the renowned Mullayanagiri, the tallest peak of the state. At a height of 1930 metres above sea level, it is the highest peak between the Himalayas and the Nilgiris.

The height offers a superb vantage point to view exquisite sunsets. Getting to the top of the peak is not simple, and nor is driving. So one has to trek from midway. But all this risk and exhaustion seems worth it all once you reach the enchanting peak. In the distance you can, on clear days, view the Arabian Sea in the horizon.

How to get there

Air: There is no airport at Chikkamagaluru. Airports at Mangalore, Bangalore and Hubli can be used. Mangalore is the nearest one.

Rail: Kadur is the closest railway station to reach Chikkamagaluru. Birur Junction is also a key railway station in the district. It is positioned on the way to Bangalore from Shimoga.

Road: There are 2 ways to reach the town. One is through NH- 13, which passes through Koppa and Sringeri and NH-206, which passes through Kadur, Birur and

Tarikere. It is 240 km away from Bangalore.

Kemmangundi

On the Baba Budan Giri range of hills is the hill station ‘Kemmangundi’, at a height of 1,434 metres. The Wodeyar king, Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV (June 4, 1884-August 3, 1940), had made this place his much loved summer camp. He built a resort there that was later donated to the Government of Karnataka. About 38 km northwest of

Chikkamagaluru town is the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, which was earlier called Jagara Valley Game Reserve. In 1999, the reserve was brought under Project Tiger. The region covers an area of 492.46 sq km and is set apart with rich flora and fauna. Here more than 120 tree species are found, and many varieties of wild animals.

Kudremukh

Kudremukh, a steel-manufacturing hub, is located 95 km south-west of

Chikkamagaluru town. A side vision of the mountain shows a ‘horse-face’ like feature. That’s why it is famous as Kudremukh, which factually means ‘horse-face’ in Kannada. Before the establishment of Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Ltd. in 1976, it used to be known as Malleshwara. Kudremukh’s dense forest is home to a range of wild animals. The KudremukhNational Park is the second-largest declared wildlife preservation area in the Western Ghats.

Sringeri

Sringeri, 90 km west of Chikkamagaluru town, rests on the left hand side of the holy river Tunga. This is the place where Hindu philosopher Adi Shankaracharya founded his first matha (monastery). The temples here reveal extraordinary architectural brilliance. The town is mainly famous for the VidyashankaraTemple and SharadaTemple.

Vidyaranya, patron saint of the founders of Vijayanagara Empire, Harihara-I and his brother Bukka Raya-I, built the VidyashankaraTemple, approximately 700 years ago. It was in 1336 that Harihara and Bukka established the empire.

It was built to honor the pontiff Vidyashankara. The temple showcases the rich art form of both the Hoysalas and the Vijayanagar Empire. One of the specific uniqueness of this temple is the way the principles of astronomy have been applied to the pillars. There are 12 pillars inside the temple, which symbolize the 12 zodiac signs from Aries to Pisces. As the year progresses, the sun’s rays fall on the pillar representing that respective month. The temple gets devotees all through the year, while it’s hard to believe sculpture attracts tourists in great numbers.

Another remarkable temple is the SriSharadambaTemple, founded by Sri Adi shankaracharya, and is devoted to the Goddess of learning and wisdom – Sri Sharada.

Waterfalls

The astounding waterfalls of Chikkamagaluru draw vast numbers of tourists every year. Some other dazzling waterfalls are ManikyadharaFalls, KalahattiFalls and HebbeFalls.

ManikyadharaFalls

ManikyadharaFalls is located on the Baba Budan Giri Hills, 40 km from Chikkamagaluru town. The water never stops flowing throughout the year, so it is a favorite with tourists, particularly during summers.

The KalahattiFalls

The KalahattiFalls, also known as KallathigiriFalls and KalahasthiFalls, is 10 km away from Kemmangundi. Presiding at a height of 122 m, it houses an old VeerabhadraTemple wedged in between the gaps of rocks. It is supposed that it was built in the period of the Vijayanagar Empire.

HebbeFalls

Ten kilometers from Kemmangundi, amid the rolling coffee estates is HebbeFalls. Roaring water crashing down from a height of 168 meters breaks the waterfall into two halves – the bigger one called Dodda Hebbe and the smaller one Chikka Hebbe.

Chikkamagaluru offers an perfect picturesque retreat. The serene atmosphere and pleasing weather will rejuvenate your body and soul. A paradise before you to be explored…