Chikmagalur Hill Station - Chikmagalur Is Growing As The New Tourist Center Of Karnataka

CHIKMAGALUR HILL STATION

AT

KARNATAKA

Chikkamagaluru (also known as Chikmagalur) is a town located in the Chikkamagaluru district in the Indian state of Karnataka. Located in the foothills of Mullayanagiri range,Chikkamgaluru is famous for its serene environment, lush green forests and tall mountains. Chikkamagaluru is also famous for coffee and is known as the 'coffee land' of Karnataka. It is one of the largest producers of coffee in India. National Highway 173 (India) passes through the city.

Chikmagalur is growing as the new tourist hub of Karnataka. Due to its vicinity to the state capital Bangalore and some other cities like Hassan, Shimoga, Chitradurga and Mangalore and its cool climate, tourists flock into the city during weekends to visit various places throughout the district.

Coffee plantations extending up to the horizon, natural beauty and a pleasant climate have made the hill station a favorite with tourists. Chikmagalur literally means, ‘Land of the younger daughter’. 

It is said that the land was presented as dowry to the younger daughter of Rukmangada, chief of Sakrepatna. The land given to the Rukmangada’s elder daughter is known as Hiremagulur. The general belief is that coffee was first cultivated in India in Chikmagalur.

According to folklore, the Muslim saint Babu Budan brought coffee seeds from Yemen in 1670 and started cultivating coffee. The British played a big role in the growth of coffee in Chikmagalur. The Central Coffee Research Institution (CCRI) is also located here.

Hundreds of thousands of tourists visit Chikmagalur attracted by its wildlife, trekking and pilgrimage sites.

Kemmanagundi, a hill station surrounded by lush green forests of Baba Budan Giri hills and Kudremukh, situated on the Kuduremukha mountain range, attract a lot of trekkers. 

The hill stations are blessed with lush green vegetation and waterfalls which enhance the beauty of the valleys. Tunga and Bhadra rivers originate in the district. Mullayanagiri, the highest peak in Karnataka, is located in the Baba Budan Giri Range in Chikmagalur. At 6,330 ft, it is the highest peak between the Himalayas and the Nilgiris.

The Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary and Kudremukh National Park are famous for their wildlife and birds. Sringeri, the first maţha or monastery established by saint-philosopher Adi Shankaracharya, is also located in Chikmagalur on the banks of the river Tunga. 

Besides Sringeri, Shankracharya also established monasteries at Dwarka, Joshimath and Puri. The Kodanda Ramaswamy temple built in Hoysala style of architecture is another highlight of the district. Baba Budangiri shrine is a place of pilgrimage for Hindus and Muslims.

By Air

The nearest airport is at Mangalore, about 160 km from Chikmagalur. The airport is well connected to flights from Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata and other major Indian cities. One can get pre-paid taxi from the airport for Chikmagalur.

By Train

Gudur railway station, about 40 km from Chikmagalur, is the nearest railhead. Trains from Mumbai, Goa, Kolhapur, Mysore and Hubli halt at Kudur. Taxis are available to reach Chikmagalur.

By Road 

Chikmagalur is well connected to other major cities of Karnataka like Bengaluru, Mangalore, Hubli and Hassan. You can opt for state-run buses or private luxury buses to reach Chikmagalur.