Chikmagalur situated in southwestern part of Karnataka, it is nestled in the Baba Budan hills. Chickmangalur literally means, 'The Younger Daughter's Town.' Legend reads that this town had been given as a dowry to the younger daughter of Rukmangada, the famous chief of Sakrepatna. 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.
A small quaint town situated in the southwestern parts of Karnataka amidst the Baba Budan Hills, Chikmagalur Hill Station karnataka is full of scenic surprises. Located at a height of 1900 meters, Chikmagalur fascinates one with its looming mountains, captivating cascades, silver streams and verdant valleys.
Chikmagalur is situated in southwestern part of Karnataka. Carved against a mountainous canvas this beautiful Malnad district is full of surprises... lofty peaks... delightful dales... racing rivers... sparkling streams... captivating cascades... and the bracing mountain air - a balm to the work-weary. Climb high above the world where the mountains seem to touch the sky. Marvel at the unspoilt beauty of the snow-white coffee blossoms. To add adventure to enchantment this hilly district has some exciting trekking routes in the Western Ghats.
In Chickmagalur district, the major commercial crop is coffee. Other commercial crops are Pepper, Cashew nuts etc. Mullain Giri, the highest peak in Karnataka (viz., 6,317 feet high from Sea Level) is 12 Kms away from Chickmagalur. Number of rivers originates from the hills of Chickmagalur district and flow in all the seasons. Rivers such as, Bhadra, Tunga, Hemavathi, Netravathi & Vedavathi. Several minerals are found in the district such as iron, magnetite, granite etc. A major Iron Ore Company in Asia is located at Kudremukh in Chickmagalur district.
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.
The birth place of coffee in India is Chikmagalur.The first seeds were sown about 350 years ago on the slopes of Baba Budan Giri Hills in Chikmagalur.As History tells it is the Arab Connections that led to the mushrooming of the coffee industry in India.The story goes like this a piligrim known as Baba Budan also known as Hazarat Shah Janab Allah Magatabi smuggled seven seed of coffee from Mecca while he was on a piligrimage.The seer sowed these seeds in his garden near a cave in Chandragiri.
The Hills was called as Chandra Drona in the ancient age and now called as Baba Budan Giri after the seer.Mysore Maharaja KrishnaRaja Wodeyar III gave away lands and establised norms for growing coffee in India.Even Tipu Sultan gave inam and rent free lands to farmers to grow coffee.
Sanctuary, taking picnics to the picturesque Kemmanagundi and Bababudangiri hills or just trekking around the region.
Air: Mangalore is the nearest domestic Airport, which is 170 km away and Bangalore is the nearest international airport, which is 240 km away. Taxi cab costs about Rs 2500 from Mangalore and Rs 3500 from Bangalore. Mangalore air terminal is connected to Bangalore and Chennai. Bangalore airport is well connected to almost all airports in India. International flights to major foreign cities are also operated from Bangalore.
Rail: The nearest railway station is Kadur (40 km) and Hassan (60 km). The Major railhead near Chikmagalur is Hubli which is 239 km away from the heart of the city. Kadur to Chikmagalur by taxi costs around Rs 600. Hubli is well connected
Road: State owned bus services are available connecting Chikmagalur to other major cities in the state. Special deluxe luxury buses are available from Chikmagalur to Mangalore (170 km), Bangalore (240 km) and Hubli (239 km). Bus fares for deluxe buses are Rs 3 – 4 per km.
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.
Hotel Taj Garden Retreat, K.M Road, Chikmaglur.
Naveen Lodge, Indira Gandhi Road.
Prakash Lodge, Indira Gandhi Road.
Quality Inn, Indira Gandhi Road.
Padanshree Lodge, Near Taluk Office.
Woodlands,Indira Gandhi Road.
Rajmahal, Indira Gandhi Road.
Vasantha Vihar Lodge, Rathanagiri Road.
Usha Lodge, Malladuru Road.