Chikmagalur district

Chikmagalur is a district in the Cauvery Basin region of Karnataka State, near Tamil Nadu.

Cities

• 1 Chikmagalur (Chikkamagaluru) — at the foot of the highest mountain range in Karnataka, this area is famous for the coffee estates in the vicinity and also known as the Coffee Belt of the South

• 2 Horanadu — a breathtakingly beautiful location because of the mountains embracing the village from all the three sides, it is popular with Indian tourists who come to visit the Holy Temple of Sri Adishaktyatmaka Annapurneshwari

• 3 Sringeri — famous for the Shree Sharada Peetam, a Temple of the Goddess of knowledge, Devi Sharadamba, which was established in the 8th century CE

Other destinations

• 1 Hariharapura — a small village

• 2 Kemmannagundi — a hill station

• 3 Kudremukh National Park — 600 km² of undulating mountains and tropical wet evergreen forest, and home to the Kuduremukha peak, which stands at 1894 metres above sea level
• 4 Bhadra Tiger Reserve (Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary) — a protected forest area

Talk

The Kannada language is spoken in this district.

Get in

Reachable by road or train from Bangalore. Bus journey takes 5.5 hr either via Kadur (NH206) or Hassan (NH48). Train journey takes almost 3-3.5 hr (till Kadur/Birur). As of 2006, there is no direct connectivity by train (a rail line between Kadur and Chikkamagaluru is under construction). One need to alight at Kadur/Birur and take bus to Chikmagalur for 40 km (45 minutes).

By bus

Buses are available from Mysore, Mangalore and Bangalore.

By train

• Passenger trains are available from Shimoga and Kadur at a distance of 40km.
• Arrivals and departures from Chikkamagaluru Railway Station
• Train Number 56271: Shivamogga-Chikkamagaluru Passenger-Departs Shivamogga at 18:15 and arrives Chikkamagaluru at 21:30 [via; Kadur Jn]
• Train Number 56272: Chikkamagaluru-Shivamogga Passenger-Departs Chikkamagaluru at 06:30 and arrives Shivamogga at 09:30 [via; Kadur Jn]
• Train Number 56277: Chikkamagaluru-Yeshvantpur Jn Fast Passenger-Departs Chikkamagaluru at 07:30 and arrives Yeshvantpur Jn at 14:15 [via; Kadur Jn]
• Train Number 56278: Yeshvantpur Jn-Chikkamagaluru Fast Passenger-Departs Yeshvantpur Jn at 15:15 and arrives Chikkamagaluru at 22:20 [via; Kadur Jn]

See

Temples

• Amrutapura Temple in the village of Amrutapura, 67 km north of Chikmagalur.
• Balehonnur. (updated Apr 2015)
• Veera Narayana Temple is a well-known temple in Belavadi village approximately 30 km from Chikmagalur.
• Shree Kshetra Horanadu Annapooraneshwari Temple (Buses not frequent from Chikmaglur. Regular buses available from Bangalore & Hassan via Mudigere). About 80 km from Chikmaglur; famous for the Annapooraneshwari Temple, or the Goddess of Food. Hence, Lunch and Dinner is a must have here, as it is considered a direct Prasadam by the Goddess, on Bhadra River. The roads wind around the ghats. Self-driving is not recommended, unless one is very familiar negotiating the ghat terrains regularly. Taxis available as a package connecting Sringeri and horanadu and returning back to Chikmaglur on same day, at fixed prices. (updated Apr 2015)
• Kalasa Shiva Temple. 5 km from Horanadu. Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva a.k.a Lord Vishwanatha. Believed to be the Kashi of the South, owing to the presence of Annapooraneshwari Temple at 5 km distance, similar to Kashi Kshetra. Main attraction is the idols of a Male & Female Elephant pulling the trunk of the tree, the process of devouring a demon (updated Apr 2015)
• Sringeri Sharadha Peetham (Regular buses available). 100 km from Chikmaglur, is the Sharada peetham of Sringeri, established by Shri Adi Shankarar. It is said, that while Adi shankarar searched for a place for establishing a Devi Peetham, he reached the banks of Tunga River. It was raining heavily. At that moment, he noticed that a Frog was into labour, unable to move in the rain. A cobra, at this point, spread its hood and protected the frog from the rain . Adi shankarar concluded , that no other place could be better for establishing the Peetham and immediately chose it. Sharada Devi, incarnation of Adi Parasakthi, in knowledge form, is the main deity. There is also an old Hoysala type Temple on the banks of Tunga River housing 3 other Sannidhis. The Ashrama of the Head, is on the other bank of the river, and a bridge connects across. The Ashrama has a very peaceful atmosphere (updated Apr 2015)

Hill stations

• B.B.Hills (Bababudangiri). Minibus starts from the Private busstand everyday by 12:30PM. Once you reach B.B.Hills, you have just one hour to explore the hills because the same bus returns by 5PM. There is only one tea shop at B.B.Hills, so you have to beg for a plate of hot porottas. But you can skip the eating as the scenes are terrific. (updated Apr 2015)
• Devi Rammana Betta. (updated Apr 2015)
• Giridarshini, Mangalore Road (6 km). (updated Apr 2015)
• Kaimara. The road from Kaimara to Kemmannagundi is heavenly. (updated Apr 2015)
• Kemmannagundi (57 km). Rose garden also. (updated Apr 2015)
• Mullayangiri. It is the highest point in South Karnataka- accessible only through private vehicles. Road leads almost to 80% of the peak and balance to be climbed by a fleet of stairs. Self driving not recommended, owing to steep ascent and blind curves enroute (updated Apr 2015)
• Rathnagiri. Good view of the city (updated Apr 2015)

Other attractions

Kalyan Nagar, Chikmagalur

Rathnagiri Bore, Chikmagalur

• Agumbe (3 hour drive). (updated Apr 2015)
• Cafe Coffee Day Headquarters. (updated Apr 2015)
• Coffee Museum (5 km.). (updated Apr 2015)
• Hebbe Falls, near Kemmannagundi
• Hirekolale Pond. (updated Apr 2015)
• Malayamarutha (50 km). (updated Apr 2015)

Do

Camp and jungle safari at Bhadra Tiger Reserve,. Trekking at Kudremukh National park, Kemmannagundi, Ballalrayanadurga fort. Numerous waterfalls during rainy season

Drink

Filter coffee made from locally grown coffee beans.

Sleep

There are plenty of homestays and resorts in this district at various places.

Stay safe

Many places in Western ghat region gets flooded during rains. Fill the fuel tank of your automobile before going to remote villages as chances of getting fuel are very less. Wild animals like Elephant, Tiger and Gaur are present in this district and sometimes can be seen on roads. Drive carefully as many roads are narrow and curvy.

Go next

• Dakshina Kannada
• Udupi
• Hassan
• Shimoga
• Lakkundi
• Sirsi