| Chikmagalur, the district headquarters of the coffee growing Malnad area, is 251 kms. from Bangalore and was known as 'Kiriya Mugali' in inscriptions and 'Piriya Mugali' is Hiremagalur, an extension of this town where there is a Kodandarama temple of Hoysala times. (Mugali is the name of a plant). The Sangeen Mosque here is an old structure. Jarni Mosque built during the 19th
century is the largest one in the district. St. Joseph's Cathedral and St. Andrews
Church (1880) are the other impressive monuments. The Kattiramma temple
here has a priest of the SC community. The Kannika Parameshwari and the
Rukmini Panduranga are modern temples. The town is placed in the backdrop
of the Chandradrona Parvata or Bababudan Hill of the Western Ghats and
Inam Dattatreya Peetha is 35 km. from here.
Chikmagalur is a calm, serene town full of scenic surprises. Hills, valleys, streams and snow-white coffee blossoms are all here to woo. In and around Chikmagalur there are beautiful hill stations and places of picturesque beauty. The district is strewn with many holy spots and proliferates legends associated with stories from the epics of Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The district is dotted with many holy spots and abounds in legends associated with stories from the great epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Right from ancient times the numerous 'agraharas' have been lively centers of educational and cultural pursuits. Dating back to the early centuries of the Christian era are numerous epigraphs which give a vivid pictures of the rise and fall of empires in the state. History of ChikmagalurChikkamagaluru is the region where the Hoysala rulers started and spent the early days of their dynasty. According to a legend, it was at Sosevur, now identified with Angadi in Mudigere Taluk that Sala, the founder of the Hoysala dynasty, killed the legendary tiger, immortalised in the Hoysala crest. However, scholars have found lot of inconsistencies in this story and it seems to be more of a folklore. However, it is known that Veera Ballala II (1173 - 1220 CE), the great king of Hoysala empire, has built the Amriteshwara temple at Amrithapura in Tarikere Taluk.
Coffee was introduced into India through the Chikkamagaluru district when the first coffee crop was grown in the Baba Budan Giri Hills during 1670 AD. According to the article Origins of Coffee, the saint Baba Budan on his pilgrimage to Mecca travelled through the seaport of Mocha, Yemen where he discovered coffee. To introduce its taste to India, he wrapped seven coffee beans around his belly and got them out of Arabia. On his return home, he planted the beans in the hills of Chikkamagaluru, which are now named Baba Budan Hills in his honour.
In recent history, Chikkamagaluru was the centre of global attention in the year 1978 when the former Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi stood for elections here and got elected to Lok Sabha, the Indian Parliament. Administration of ChikmagalurChikkamagaluru district falls under the Mysore Division of Karnataka. It is divided into two Revenue Sub-divisions, Chikkamagaluru Sub-Division and Tarikere Sub-Division. Chikkamagaluru Sub-Division comprises the taluks of Chikkamagaluru, Koppa, Mudigere and Sringeri whereas the Tarikere Sub-Division comprises the taluks of Tarikere, Kadur and Narasimharajapura. The Deputy Commissioner (also the District Magistrate) is the functional head of the district. Each Sub-Division has Assistant Commissioners and each Taluk has Tahsildars who work under the control and supervision of the Deputy Commissioner. The current administrative setup of the district can be viewed here.
Tourist Attractions of Chikmagalur
Baba Budan Range:
Situated north of Chikmagalur, this range, named after the Muslim saint Baba Budan, has one of the highest mountain peaks between the Himalayas and the Nilgiris.
Kondadarama Temple:
This temple is a gorgeous mix of Hoysala and Dravidian architectural styles.
St. Joseph's Cathedral:
The prime attraction of this church is its eye-catching shell-shaped portico.
Sringeri:
This pilgrim center is known for the Vidyashankara Temple, which has 12 zodiac pillars. Sun's rays fall on each pillar according to the time of the year. Where to stay in Chikmagalur
Some of the major hotels in Chikmagalur, offering a remarkable blend of tradition and modernity as well as a comfortable stay, are The Taj Garden Retreat, The Planters Court Hotel, Hotel Mount Palace, Hotel Rajmahal, etc. Weather and Best Time to Visit in Chikmagalur
It is generally cool throughout the year, with a maximum temperature of 28 C.
The Best season to visit would be from September to March.
How To Reach to Chikmagalur
By Air:
The nearest airports are at Bangalore and Mangalore.
By Rail:
The closest railheads are at Kadur and Hassan. The nearest Rail Junction is Mangalore
By Road:
Chikmagalur is well-connected by a vast network of roads to Bangalore and Mangalore. It is 170 kms from Mangalore and 240 kms Bangalore |
