Located in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka state, Chikmagalur is a small town which literally means ‘little daughter’s city’ in Kannada. Situated in the south-western part of Karnataka in the Sahyadri Mountains of the Western Ghats, there is a history behind the name of this city. According to history, the town of Chikmagalur was presented as a dowry to the younger daughter of Rukmangada, the head of Sakarpatna.

Located 250 km from Bangalore, the city is a popular weekend destination and offers its visitors a refreshing break with lush greenery and a serene atmosphere. High hills, breath-taking waterfalls and tranquil rivers like Bhadra, Hemavati, Tunga, Netravati and Vedavati and exotic wildlife make Chikmagalur an ideal place to relax and spend some quality time with your loved ones.

The city with its natural setting caters to all types of tourists from different parts of the country and the world and with different interests. The pleasant weather of the city makes the holidays even more enjoyable.

The city has developed into a modern city and has various trade centers and educational institutions. Chikmagalur is the first place in India where coffee was cultivated and is still very famous for coffee and tea plantations.

Some of the major tourist attractions are:

The major tourist attraction in Chikmagalur is Mulayan Giri. Mulayan Giri is the highest peak in Karnataka with an average elevation of about 6,300 feet above sea level. Kondardama Temple is also a place to see. The temple is a symbolic mixture of the styles of Hoysala and Dravidian architecture. Jamie Mosque is also a place to have a look. St. Joseph’s Cathedral is famous for its shell-shaped portico, a must-visit when you are in Chikmagalur.

The Siddheshwar Temple, built in the 13th century, the old cave of Nirvanaswam at Thiruvanhalli and the Lakshmi Kantha Temple built in the 17th century are some of the places close to the city and make for an interesting trip. Another popular place to visit is Vidyashankar Temple in Sringeri. Located on the banks of Bhadra River, it is 92 km from Chikmagalur. Baba Budan Giri Hills, also known as Dattagiri Hill Range, is a famous tourist attraction.

Kallathigiri Falls

Kallahatti Falls is the place where nature engulfs you in its charm. Here, you consider the elements of nature pure, refreshing, and attractive. The magnetism of this waterfall is evident when you observe it closely. Areas around the Falls are reviving. It moves to a new round of nature. It is quite possible here and one of the best places to visit in Chikmagalur.

You are in the most backward area of ​​nature. Located near Kemmangundi, Kalahatti Falls has all the blessings of nature. They are located in an ancient environment. The background is many mountains and dense foliage.

You can visit this place and do pilgrimage for relaxation and leisure. It is the best place for such activities among the places to visit in Chikmagalur. There is a small temple nearby. This temple is situated in a waterfall. The temple has statues and stone structures. Not only are there places for fun and devotion in the falls, but they are also full of trekking trails. Trekking is a very popular activity in Chikmagalur.

There are impressive trekking trails that pass through dense foliage. The areas around the falls also make for ideal places for camping, while offering sightseeing attractions. There is a footpath around the cascade that lets you go all the way up and track the falls. This is the perch point from where you can see the water descending at full throttle. The attractions around Kalahatti waterfall are. Z Point is one.

Then there is the Rock Garden which is yet another scenic spot with lots to see and see. Hebbe Falls can be visited as this waterfall is in this area. It is 10 km from these falls. The natural beauty of the surroundings never makes you feel tired and you always ask for more.

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Hebbe Falls

Hebbe Falls is yet another picturesque Chikmagalur tourist destination. Girta is reached from Kemmangundi Hill Station. These waterfalls are surrounded by stunning greenery. Thick forests, dense forests, rich flora, and hills surround the region. Coffee plantations are spread around Gir. Dodda Hebbe and Chikka Hebbe, the waterfall in these two areas vary in height. In addition, one can enjoy the best homes in Chikmagalur with family and friends.

The path is narrow and steep. Along the way, you see beautiful miracles. You can hear the sound of water splatter from afar, increasing your understanding and enthusiasm. Hebbe Falls makes it an ideal place to experience a serene holiday in the backdrop of nature of all Chikmagalur tourist destinations. This is the right place for leisure and crisis. If you are bored and tired of the daily grinds of the city, going to these places recharges your energies every now and then.

One of the best features of these falls is that the water is full of herbs. It is like a natural jacuzzi in which exotic herbs are mixed in water. Become one with your natural surroundings. You will also get to see various adventure activities around. During the monsoon, the waterfall becomes voluntary and makes a thunderous sound that can be heard from a distance.

The dense forest and coffee plantations in the surrounding areas provide opportunities for trekking and camping in Chikkamagaluru. The weather remains cool and mild throughout the year. This aspect makes it an ideal place to escape the heat and in a more cool place.

Kudremukh National Park

A holiday in Kudremukh National Park is a different experience from all the places to see in Chikmagalur. The place is located about 96 km from the city of Chikmagalur. Situated in the pristine atmosphere of the Western Ghats, the park is located at an altitude of about 1800 meters above sea level. This high altitude presents many benefits. The national park has cool and mild weather even during the harshest summers in the state and is one of the best Chikmagalur tourist destinations.

There is a hill here that is shaped like a horse’s head. In Kannada, a horse is called Kudre and the Kannada word for face is Mukh. Therefore by combining these two words, it becomes the face of Kudremukh or horse. The park is large. There are four sub-categories here. The entire area is surrounded by dense forests. Here tea and coffee plantations are also in equal measure.

This area comes under the aegis of Global Tiger Conservation Priority-I. Given the impressive wildlife and flora at this place, when visiting Chikmagalur sightseeing, it is no surprise. Three rivers originate in Kudremukh National Park. They are Tunga, Bhadra, and Netravati. The park has an ancient cave that is visited by the devotees of Goddess Bhagwati. His statue has been installed in this cave.

The medicinal eucalyptus plant is found here in abundance. Gravilla robusta is yet another botanical species found in good numbers in the park. There is also no shortage of wildlife. The park is a complete forest. Along with tigers, there are many other wild animals such as leopards, bears, and gaurs.

Dutt Pett

Also known as Chandra Drona Parbat, Dutt Pett has many tall mountains. Baba Budgiri range is very prominent among the places to see in Chikmagalur. Mulayanagiri is the highest peak in the region. The place rises to a height of about 1900 meters.

There are three caves here. Three Siddhas are buried here. Siddhas are religious ornaments. An annual ceremony is held in these caves. When you are in the Baba Budan Giri mountain range, try to visit these caves. The scenery around this area is spectacular. The combination of natural beauty and breathtaking caves makes this place a splendid one. During the Diwali or Diwali festival, a beacon is illuminated. Beacons are placed here.

You can also visit the shrine of Sri Guru Dattatreya Bababudanswamy. This dargah is an ancient institution. It was one of the most important during his time. Hindus and Mohammedans made the most agreements on this dargah.

There is a cave in this area which is considered sacred by Dattatreyaswamy. He is said to have lived in this cave with Hazrat Dada Hayat Mir Khaldar. Therefore this cave is considered sacred and people come here to offer their prayers.

It is known that Datta Peeth is worshiped. The puja is conducted by an unmarried man. During Peeta, a ceremony called Ursa is held annually. Peeta’s time is usually after the holy festival. There is a unique difference in the Baba Budgiri range. The first coffee plantation in the Chikmagalur region was grown on this mountain. On these sylvan slopes, many coffee plantations still exist. You can do various adventure activities in Chikmagalur, which you can join.

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Bhadra Dam

The dam became more powerful after people in the area started using water for irrigation as well as producing electricity for towns and villages. This dam was built in 1965.

Its major tributaries are Somavahini, Thadabehalla, and Odirainahala. Bhadra flows through the city of Bhadravati and the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary. Then it joins the river Tunga in the horoscope and the combined river flows east as Tungabhadra. The Bhadra Dam built on the river is 1.5 km from Lakkavalli village and 50 km from the confluence of Bhadra and Tungabhadra rivers.

The town of Shimoga is located very close to the dam and flows over a catchment area of ​​1968 square kilometers. The dam’s water helps maintain many industries, urban and rural settlements. The Bhadra River Basin receives an average of 2320 mm of rainfall annually. Tourist attractions and wildlife sanctuaries near the dam in the river which include rare species such as red scrofula, emerald pigeon, green royal pigeon, Aries crocodile, mountain myna, gaur, painted bush quail, black woodpecker, wild boar, etc.

Visit a tea estate

In Chikkamagaluru, a beautiful plantation is never far away. You can book a tree-planting trip through your accommodation or get on the road until you reach one. Some of these gardens date back centuries and were once owned by the British. Today, they are remnants of a bygone era and a major part of the culture of the region and it is one of the best Chikmagalur tourist destinations.

A walk through these plantations provides great opportunities to interact with the locals or spend some quiet time surrounded by nature. If you like nature photography, there are not many places that parallel the beauty of these plantations with hidden brooks, streams, and waterfalls everywhere.

Hanumna Gundi Fall

Hanumana in Chikmagalur is known as one of the major attractions of Gundi Falls. The Gir waterfall falls below a height of 22 meters above the ground and is situated at an altitude of 996 meters. If you are looking for a place for rejuvenation then this is the best place for you.

The smell of freshwater with dense green forests reaches here that one can see everything. Apparently, it is one of the best tourist places in Chikmagalur, which one should not dare miss.

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