Tourism
A Brief History: Chickmagalur, meaning 'Town of the younger daughter', is a beautiful town located in the foothills of Bababudangiri range. The town is known for its coffee and tea estates. The scenic hill station of Kemmannugundi is about two hours away from Chickmagalur. In the early 1980's, Indira Gandhi contested for elections from Chickmagalur and won by a huge margin. It was then that the town gained popularity. Hiremagalur, meaning 'Town of the elder daughter', is about 5 kms away from Chickmagalur. This village boast of a unique temple of Lord Rama.It is common folklore that when Parashurama met Lord Rama he asked to see him in the pose when he got married to Sita Thus, it is said that the temple at Hiremagalur has the positions of Lakshmana and Sita interchanged.
Cadle of Coffee: The major commercial crop is coffee. At Baba-Budan Giri that the first ever coffee in the country was grown way back in 1670 A.D. Enterprising Europeans pioneered large scale coffee plantations in the district more than 150 years back As a major coffee producer district also has coffee curing works where the raw coffee is dried, shelled, winnowed, graded and packed to be marketed. The district also houses the Central Coffee Research Institution formerly known as the Coffee Experimental Station started in 1925 under the stewardship of late Dr. Leslie C. Coleman. Now spread over an area of 119.86 hectares the institute conducts research to improve the quality of coffee.
What to See
Kodanda-Ramaswamy Temple, Hiremagalur: The temple of Kodandarama, which is a State-protected, stands in the south-east of the City. It seems to have been constructed in three stages. This temple is a structure in the Hoysala style, so for as the garbhagriha and sukanasi are concerned, the remaining portions being subsequent additions in the Dravidian style. The present navaranga is of the 14th century A.D., while the mukhamantapa (porch) may be of the 16th century A.D. According to the sthalapurana, proud Parashurama was subdued at this place by Lord Ramachandra, and as per the request of the former to show him the scene of his marriage, the latter took here Sita to his right and Lakshmana to his left.
Rathnagiri Bore: 'Rathnagiri Bore' located on the northern side of Chikmaglur town has become a 'Star of Attraction' to the local people on almost all evening outgoings and weekend holidays. Located on a vital spot, it gives the most beautiful sight of 'Mullayanagiri' on the back drop with ever-changing natural scenario. Clouds and fog playing around the top of the hill, is really the most wanted place for visitors of all ages.
Kemmangundi: 55 Kms north from Chickmagalur town is Kemmangundi, a scenic hill station on the Baba Budan range of hills. Kemmangundi is also known as K.R. Hills after Wodeyar King, Krishnaraja Wodeyar who had made it his favourite summer camp. Kemmangundi, at a height of 1,434 meters, is surrounded by thick forests and a salubrious climate the year. It is ringed by the Baba Budangiri range and blessed with silver cascades of mountain streams and lush vegetation. Its beautifully laid out ornamental gardens and enchanting mountain and valley views are a treat to the eye. Linger over the spectacular sunset from the Raj Bhavan. For the adventurous, Kemmangundi offers many peaks to scale and intricate jungle paths to explore.This place has a beautiful Rose Garden along with many other attractions. There is a place called Z-point at about 10minutes walk from this main place which gives a nice ariel view of the grass lands of the Western Ghats.
Kudremukha: 95 Kms from south-west of Chickmagalur town is KUDREMUKH (horse face) range, so named because of the unique shape of the KUDREMUKH peak. Overlooking the Arabian sea, the broad hills are chained to one another with deep valley & steep precipices. Situated at 1,894.3 meters above sea level, KUDREMUKH is rich in iron ore deposits. The KUDREMUKH Iron Ore Company conducts mining operations, benefaction and transportation of the ore as slurry through pipelines to the post at Panambar near Mangalore.
Baba Budan Range: To the north of Chickmagalur town is the Baba Budan Range or Chandra Drona Parvatha as it was known in the ancient times, which has one of the highest mountain peaks between the Himalayas and the Nilgiris. The peak takes its name from the Muslim saint, Baba Budan, who resided here more than 150 years ago. Manikyandhara is water falls near the famous pilgrim centre Baba Budangiri Dattatreya Peetha where water spills down like small balls giving the visitors a memorable shower bath.
Mullayanagiri: Mullayanagiri is part of the the Baba Budan Giri Hill Ranges here. It stands 1930 meters and is the tallest peak in Karnataka. There is a small temple on top of the hill. The small hillock in the temple compound is the highest point in Karnataka.
Belavadi: Belavadi is 25 kms southeast of Chickmagalur town, and just 10 kms from the Hoysala capital of Halebid is Belavadi, another place in the district with historical associations. This ancient village is dotted with temples and shrines, the most outstanding of them being Veeranarayana temple - a fine specimen of Hoysala architecture.
Marle: Marle is 12 kms from Chickmagalur town, Marie is another place of antiquity noted for its temples, chief amongst them being the Chennakeshava temple dating back to 1150 A.D
Amrithapura: 67 kms north of Chickmagalur, Amrithapura is known for the Amrithapura temple built in 1196 A.D by Amriteshwara Dandanayaka, a general of the Hoysala ruler Ballala II. Delicacy of touch, originality of design and fine features have made this temple one of the notable structures of the Hoysala period.
Sringeri: 90 kms west of Chickmagalur town is Sringeri situated on the banks of Tungabhadra, was established by Sri Adi Shankara, the exponent of the Advaita philosophy in 9th Century A.D. It is famous for Vidyashankara Temple and Sharada Temple. In the Vidya Shankara shrine, there are 12 zodiac pillars, which are so constructed that the rays of the sun fall on the pillar corresponding to the month.
Horanadu : Horanadu is 100 kms southwest of Chickmagalur and has an ancient temple of Annapoorneshwari, which has been renovated recently. With the installation of the new image of Adi Shakti, now the temple is called Adi-Shaktyatmaka Shri Annapoorneshwari. The place attracts lots of pilgrims who are provided free boarding and lodging by the temple.
Guru Dattatreya Bababudanswamy Darga: Situated on the Baba Bugan Giri is the Inam Dattatreya Peetha venerated by the Hindus and the Muslims alike. A laterite cave here is believed to have been sanctified by the residence of Dattatreya Swami as well as Hazrat Dada Hayat Mir Khalander. The worship here is conducted by a fakir and the annual 'jatra' or 'urs' is attended by both Hindus and Muslims with great fervors.
Bhadra Wildlife Santuary : 38 kms north - west of Chickmagalur town is Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary surrounded by hills has the tributaries of the Bhadra river flowing through it. The western border of the sanctuary abuts the back waters of the Bhadra Reservoir which has a catchment area of 1,968 kms. surrounded by scenic hills and steep slopes. A diverse and exciting range in wild life is found here - bison, elephants, tiger, panther, sambar, spotted deer, wild beer, porcupine, birds like the peacock, parrot, partridge, pigeon, etc. and reptiles such as cobra, python etc. All these wild beasts can be viewed while driving along the 150 km long roads maintained inside the sanctuary.
Kallathigiri Falls: Just 10 kms away from Kemmangundi is Kallahathigiri falls, also known as Kalahasti falls. water cascades down from the top of the Chandra Drona Hill from a height of 122 meters amidst fascinating scenery. There is an old Veerabhadra temple dedicated to Lord Shiva ,constructed in a gap between rocks. This Temple can be approached after crossing the waterfall.
Hebbe Falls: This beautiful waterfall is 10+kms away from the famous hill station Kemmangundi. This waterfall is inside coffee estate can either be reached by walk or a four wheeler. Here water streams down from a height of 168 meters in two stages to form Dodda Hebbe (Big Falls) and Chikka Hebbe (Small Falls.).
Ayyanakere: 18 kms north-east of Chikmagalur town, this ancient tank is believed to have been constructed by Rukmangada Raya a chief of Sakrepatna. Renovated later in 1156 A.D. during the Hoysala times, This large tank situated at the eastern base of the Baba-Budan range provides irrigation facilities to about 1,560 hectares of land. On a hillock here is the Prasanna Balleshvara shrine with Hoysala sculptures of Ganapathi, Surya, Krishna, Ambika, etc.
Kalasa: Kalasa is 92 kms south - west of Chickmagalur and situated on the banks of the river Bhadra, is surrounded by lofty hills of the Western Ghats and is looked upon as one of the pancha-kshetras on the banks of the Bhadra. Close by are the pancha theerthas, the five sacred ponds. On a small hillock here is the Kalaseshwara temple dedicated to Ishwara, with a Kshetrapala shrine of soap stone nearby. The Madhawacharya Bande, a large boulder at one of the theerthas here, is supposed to have been placed by Shri Madhawacharya the founder of the Dwaitha school of philosophy. A statue of this Acharya is carved on the upper portion of the rock.
Manikyadhara : Manikyadhara Falls is located near Kemmangundi of Chikmagalur district on the Baba Budan Giri Hills and is a sacred place for both Muslims and Hindus. It is one of the main attractions of Baba Budan Giri.The fall is about a kilometre away from Baba Budan Giri and is in the midst of the Shola forest and on reaching there, a set of stairs lead down to the bottom of the falls.
The specialty of the fall is that it does not get drained during the summer; instead the water remains icy cold. The fall also offers a splendid view of the surrounding natural beauty, while the mist covered hills and cool breeze add to the splendour of the sight.
"This page is Maintained by:- Office Manager, CMC, Chikmagalur"
Last Updated on 20-01-2012
