Sight
Seeing :
Chikmagalur :
Chikmagalur is a district in Karnataka where coffee was first cultivated
in India. Rivers like Tunga and Bhadra have their sources in the mountains
here which are part of the Western Ghats. Chikmagalur district also contains
Mullayanagiri, the highest peak in Karnataka. The hill stations, the waterfalls,
the historical temples and the wildlife sanctuaries make this region a tourist
paradise. It is alternatively spelled Chikkamagaluru, which literally means
‘The town of the younger daughter’ in the native Kannada language. The town
is said to have been given as a dowry to the younger daughter of Rukmangada,
the legendary chief of Sakrepatna and hence the name. Indeed, there is a
town called Hiremagaluru - ‘the town of the elder daughter’ - about 5 km
from Chikmagalur.The district head quarters of Chikmagalur district is 250
km from the state capital Bangalore, and surrounded by the Baba Budan Giri
hills and dense forests. Mullayanagiri, at 1926 meters above sea level, is
the highest point in the state of Karnataka.
History :
Chikmagalur is where the Hoysala rulers started their dynasty. Legend has
it that the founder of the Hoysala dynasty, killed a legendary tiger, forever
immortalized on the Hoysala crest. Coffee was first introduced in India from
here, when the first coffee crop was grown in the Baba Budan Giri Hills during
1670 AD. Saint Baba Budan on his pilgrimage to Mecca travelled through the
seaport of Mocha, Yemen where he discovered coffee. Strapping seven coffee
beans around his belly, he returned to India and planted them on the hills
of Chikmagalur, now named Baba Budan Hills in his honour.
Kemmangundi :
55 km north of Chikmagalur; height of 1,434 meters; thick forests and a salubrious
climate through the year. Ensconced by the Baba Budan Giri range and blessed
with mountain streams and lush vegetation. Beautifully laid out ornamental
gardens, enchanting mountain views and spectacular sunsets. Great for treks;
has peaks to scale and jungle paths to explore.
Mullayanagiri:
16 km from Chikmagalur; a part of the Baba Budan Giri Hill Ranges; 1930 meters
above sea level; tallest peak in Karnataka; spectacular sunset views; great
for trekking, right up to the peak even; the small hillock in the temple
compound at the top is the highest point in Karnataka.
Datta Peetha (Baba Budan Giri):
North of Chikmagalur; has one of the highest mountain peaks between the Himalayas
and the Nilgiris. The peak takes its present name from the Muslim saint,
Baba Budan, who resided here more than 150 years ago.
Manikyadhara Falls:
Manikyadhara Falls is a waterfall near Datta Peetha.
Kallathigiri Falls:
10 km from Kemmangundi; also known as Kalahasti falls; 122 meters high; close
by is an old temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, constructed in a gap between
rocks.
Hebbe Falls:
10 km from Kemmangundi; 168 meters high; Two-stage cascade forming Dodda
Hebbe (Big Falls) and Chikka Hebbe (Small Falls).
Sringeri :
90 km west of Chikmagalur, on the banks of Tunga; Vedic Peetha established
by Sri Adi Shankara, exponent of the Advaita philosophy in 9th Century A.D.;
famous for Vidyashankara Temple originally constructed by the Hoysalas and
later completed by the founders of the Vijayanagar Empire, and Sharada temple,
an early 20th. century addition. 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 :
100 km southwest of Chikmagalur; has an ancient Annapoorneshwari Temple,
now called Adi-Shaktyatmaka Shri Annapoorneshwari.
Guru Dattatreya Bababudanswamy Dargah :
On the Baba Budan Giri; Imam Dattatreya Peetha venerated by the Hindus and
the Muslims alike; laterite cave believed to have been stayed in by Dattatreya
Swami and Hazrat Dada Hayat Mir Khalander.
Amritapura:
67 km north of Chikmagalur; known for the Amritheshwara temple built in 1196
A.D by Amriteshwara Dandanayaka, a general of the Hoysala ruler Veera Ballala
II.
Belavadi:
29 km southeast of Chikmagalur, 10 km north west of Halebidu; famous for
ornate temple of Veeranarayana temple and the Udbhava Ganapathi temple
Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary:
495 sq.km wildlife sanctuary and Project Tiger reserve; the huge reservoir
here is the main water supply to several districts in the rain shadow regions
of south Karnataka; forests rich in bamboo and birds species unique to both
the Malabar and Sahyadri ranges.