Chikmagalur

The district has a profusion of mountain and occupies an area of 7,201 sq. km. The name Chikmagular is shared by both the district and its headquarters which is situated about 251 km from Bangalore with the enchanting Bababudan Hills providing a picturesque backdrop. This district has the honour of being the site of first ever coffee plantation in India-thanks to the efforts of the Islamic clergy , Bababudan who sowed the coffee seedlings brought all the way from Mecca, the holy Islamic centre of worship, in the 17th century. It can be seen that the hills has been named in his memory.

There are also a number of pilgrim spots. The beauty of the Hoysala architecture has permeated through the district. The famous Trikuta Temple is situated in Belvadi in this district. Sringeri is another sacred place. The ‘Rassikambas’ or the 12 ‘Zodiac Pillars’ the Vidyasankara Temple testifies the deep astronomical knowledge the ancient people had.
The Kalahasthi and the Hebbe waterfalls make excellent picnic spots. The vast Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary spreading its charms partly over Shimoga, also attracts a large number of visitors.

Belavadi
About 29 km from Chikmagalur city the legendary place Belavadi is where the famous temple known as Trikuta is situated. The temple has three sanctorums one each for Lord Veeranarayana, Lord Venugopal, one of the various names of Lord Krishna and Lord Yoganarasimha, the Lord with a lion’s head and a human body absorbed in deep mediation, the first being one of the various forms or divine manifestation and the latter two being two of the ten ‘Avatars’ or divine incarnations of Lord Vishnu, the protector of the universe.

The astounding architecture of the temple belongs to the Hoysalas. The structure is adorned with ornate carvings and splendid sculpture. There is also another temple in the proximity, called the Hatuda Ganapathy Temple. It is dedicated to Lord Ganesa, the principal deity of all Hindu endeavors.

Sringeri
This sacred place, on the banks of the holy river ‘Tungabadra’ is famous for the ‘Mutt’, one of the four, founded by ‘Jagathguru Sri Adisankara’, the Hindu religious leader who propounded the philosophy of ‘Advaita’. The Mutt is known as the ‘Sringeri Saradha Peetam’ . This temple is also believed to have been established by Sri Adi Sankara.

This Mutt at Sringeri has enjoyed the patronage of Vijayanagar rulers. Tipu Sultan’s liberal donation to the mutt deserves special mention. All these mutts follow the hierarchical system of appointing the successive leaders, as established by Sri Adi Sankara. Apart from religious activities which are performed with profound alacrity, these Mutts also carry on service to the humanity.

Sringeri also has another ancient temple. The presiding deity of this one is Lord Chenna Kesava Perumal, one of the variations of Lord Vishnu. A beautiful Jain monument ‘Paraswanath Basti’ can also be seen here. Another temple on the beautiful banks of the sacred Tungabadra, built in the 14th century is the Vidyasankara Temple. There are 12 pillars called the ‘Rasikambas’ or Zodiac Pillars which have been so ingeniously positioned that the Sun’s ray fall on the specific pillar during each solar month.

Amriteswara Temple
Situated in Amritapura, about 247 km from Bangalore, this temple was built in 12th century by Amrita Dandanayaka. The entire temple structure reflects the grand architectural style of the Hoysalas and the ground plan is star shaped, another exclusive feature of this architecture. This temple replete with splendid sculpture also has a wonderful image of Goddess Sarawathi, the Goddess of Arts and Learning, in a sitting posture. This temple is also noted as one of the masterpieces of the Hoysala architecture.

Kalahasthi Waterfalls
This enchanting waterfall is nestled in the picturesque sylvan region of Kemmanagundi which is about 36 km from Tarikere and 48 km from Chikmagalur. This enthralling hill resort on the Chandradrons Parvatha or Bababudan Hills is gifted with a variety of flora and fauna. About 8 km from this falls is yet another roaring falls known as the Hebbe falls. The water here cascade elegantly in two stages making a thunderous dive of about 250 feet in each stage. The higher of these two is called the Doddahebbe meaning ‘BiggerHebbe’ and the lower,’Chikkahebbe’ meaning ‘Smaller Hebbe’. About 30 km on this far reaching range is the holy Dattatreya Peeta, a famous pilgrim spot which combines both the Hindu and Islamic faiths.

Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
About 75 km from Chikmagalur city via Tarikere, this 492 sq. km. expanse of picturesque landscape shred by the adjoining district Shimoga, shelters a wide variety of fascinating flora and fauna. The visitors are greeted by mighty elephants, captivating deers, wild bears and the big cats like the panthers, tigers etc. It is also the asylum of a wild spectrum of reptiles. This sanctuary can also be reached from Kemmanagundi which is 60 km away.