Chikamangalur
Travel Guide
Its exquisite step into the rich earth and let the grass your feet, dew drops
wash your toes,and your heart goes, Ah! you are in heavenly Chikmagalur.
Words are never enough to paint a picture that is
Chikmagalur. Your imagination
of calm soothing music could be a fine prelude to what lies ahead for you in
this glorious land of coffee, hills and sparkling waters. As you venture into
the unexpected Western Ghats, situated in the south western part of Karnataka,
carved against a mountains canvas, you'll find this virgin land a nature's bounty,
a large basket of pleasant surpises….
Lofty peaks, racing rivers, sparkling streams,captivating cascades and the bracing
mountain air-a soothing balm to the work-weary. Climbing high above the world
where the mountains touch the sky, be enticed bt the raw power of natural splendour
and the beauty of the snow-white coffee blossoms.
To all those who seek adventure / sport, this hilly district with rugged mountain
trails, is God's own gift. These hills and valleys have been sublime abodes
of the Kings and Sadhus alike. This is the land of legends and heores, the air
alive with tales and deeds from the epics Ramayana and Mahabharatha.
The numerous piligrim spots are associated with the history of the land and
are benchmarks on the path leading towards realization of the ultimate truth.
The Agraharas have been lively centers of education and philosophical discourses,
and numerous epigraphs are peans to dynastic dominance of yore.
JOURNEY INTO THE PAST
Chilkmaglur is considered to be the place of origin and early reign of the Hosysalas,
who played a decisive role in the history of South India. It was at Sosevur,
identified with Angadi in Mudigere Taluk that Sala, the founder of the Hoysala
crest. The district takes its name from the town 'Chikmagalur' which literally
means youngest daughter's town. The place was given as dowry to the youngest
daughter of Rukmangada, the chief of Sakrepatna. Another part of the town bestowed
on the elder daughter is known as Hiremagalur. But some old inscriptions reveal
that these two places were known Kiriya-muguli and Piriyamuguli.
CHIKAMAGALUR- THE TOWN.
Situated in a fertile valley, south of the Baba Buban range is the headquarter
town of the district. This charming little town enjoys a salubrious climate
and has venerated monuments of many religious - Kodandrama Temple-a synthesis
of Hoysala and Dravindian style of architecture, the Jamia Mosque, New St. Josph's
Cathedral- with unique shell shaped portico.
Hiremagalur which is now a part of Chikmagalur town has an Ishwara temple
with a 4ft. high rotund figure of Jademuni. The temple also has a Yoopastambha
installed by King Janamejaya during his serpent sacrifice. Parashurama Temple
and the Kali shrine are others places of worship. There is also the everchanging
face of Chikmagalur - a centre of education, trade and commerce.
COFFEE ROWS
The white blossoms fill the air with fragrance and spot the hills with a series
of lovely flowers. Coffee has added to the economic prosperity of the region.
Baba Buban's seven seeds of coffee was planted around his shrine in 1670 AD.
In time it spread to other religion of Karnataka and became a kitchen crop.
During the reign of Tippu Sultan, it was sold at the local weekend fairs. In
the 18th Century after the fall of Tippu Sultan, Mysore fell in to the hands
of the English and they were impressed with the variety of coffee of the region.
Under the British, large forest areas were turned into coffee plantations. To
this day the sylvan slopes are studded with coffee plantations.
It is a cherishing wxperience during the flowering season of March and April
when the air is filled with the heady fragrance of coffee blossoms. As a major
coffee producing district in the country, it has numerous coffee curing centers
where the raw coffee is dried, shelled, winnowed, graded and packed. The district
houses the Central Coffee Research Institute formerly known as the Coffee Experimental
Station.
» Chikamangalur:
The Hills
» Chikamangalur: The Rivers
» Chikamangalur: The Falls
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