HOT SPOTS

  • Kemmannugundi Hill Station

    55 kms from Chickmagalur town on the Baba Budan range is the scenic hill station of Kemmannugundi called K.R. hills, after the Wodeyar king Krishnaraja Wodeyar- IV who made it his favorite summer camp. Situated at a height of 1434 meters and surrounded by thick green forests. K.R. Hills makes an ideal health resort, Beautifully laid out ornamental gardens, salubrious climate throughout the year and the panoramic view of mountains and valleys are just a few of the attractions.

  • Mullayanagiri

    To the north of Chikmagalur town is the Baba-Budan Range of Chandra Drona times, which has one of the highest mountain peaks between the Himalayas and the Nilgiris. The loftiest point of the range is Mullaiyanagiri which is 1,926 meters above sea level. The three large caves here said to have been sanctified by 3 siddhas contain their icons and 'gaddiges'. The enthralling scenery around makes this a much frequently pilgrim center.

  • Dattapeeta(Baba Budan Giri)

    To the north of Chikmagalur town is the Baba-Budan Range or Chandra Drona Parvatha as it was known in olden times, which has one of the highest mountain peaks between the Himalayas and the Nilgiris. The Baba-Budan range had taken its name from the 1895 meters high Baba-Budan Giri, situated just 28 kms north of Chikmagalur town. A beacon lighted here duringDeepavali can be seen at Chikmagalur. The peak takes its name from the Muslim saint, Baba-Budan, who took up residence here for more than 150 years ago and brouht the coffee seeds for the first time from Yemen.

  • Kallathigiri Falls

    This water fall is very near to the Kemmengundi hill resort where the water cascades down from a height of 122 meters amidst fascinating scenery. A legend associates this place with sage Agastya and the local temple in a gap between rocks, is attributed to the Vijayanagara times.

  • Manikya Dhara Waterfalls

    At a short distance from Guru Dattatatreya Bababudanswaamy's Darga are the three famous waterfalls with epic associations - Gada Theertha, Kamana Theertha, Nellikayi Theertha. Gada theertha according to a myth was created by the Pandava prince Bheema with his 'gada', to quench the thirst of his mother during their exile. Pilgrims who bathe in the Nellikayi Theertha formed by Manikya Dhara Waterfall, Leave behind one item of their clothing as per a local belief. Medicianal plants, leaves, seeds and roots procured from forests by local villagers for sale at Manikyadhara Site.

  • Ayyanakere

    18 kms north-east of Chikmagalur town, this ancient tank is belived to have been constructed by Rukmangada Raya a chief of Sakrepatna. Rennovated later in 1156A.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.

  • Sringeri Temple

    90 kms west of Chikmagalur town on the banks of river Tunga, is a city with epic associations. The place is said to have been named after Rishyashringa who figures in the Ramayana as the chief priest at the great sacrifice of King Dasharatha. The peetham is the first and foremost of the four Peetham's established by the renowned 8th century philosopher saint Shree Aadi Shankara, the principle exponent of advaita. Goddess Sharada being the presiding deitty. Constructed on a picturesque spot parallel to the river Tunga, the temple is a fine example of artistic transition from Hoysala to Vijayanagara style. Built around 1357 A.D., the imposing granite structure encloses friezes of elephants, lions, pouranic scenes, dancers in various poses etc, and figures big and small of various Hindu gods enshrined in niches with ornamental towers.

  • Bhadra Wild Life Sanctuary

    The district with dense tropical evergreen forests interspersed with lush grassy slopes is endowed with a rich and varied fauna, abundantly seen at the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, 38 kms north-west of Chikmagalur town. The sanctuary surrounded by hills had the tributaries of the Bhadra river flowing through it. The western border of the sanctuary abuts the back western border 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 herebison, elephants, tiger, panter, sambar, spotted deer, wild beer, porcupine, birds like the peacock, parrot, partridge, pigeon, etc. and reptiles such as cobra, python etc.

  • Belur & Halebid Tempales

    12 kms from Chickmagalur town, Marle is another place of antiquity noted for its temples, chief amongst them being the Chennakeshava temple dating back to 1150A.D.
    Halebeed, the world-famous centre of Hoysala art, was once the capital of Hoysalas. It is 17 km from Belur and 30 km from Chikmagalur refferd to as Dwarasamudra, Dorasamudra or Dwaravathi, Halebeed has some of the most remarkable monuments including the twin temples of Hoysaleshwara, Kedareshwara built by Vishnuvardhana and Ballala-II.