Almost every tourist who visits this scenic town falls in love with Chikmagalur's cool and pleasant atmosphere that compliments the rolling valleys, burdened with refreshing coffee gardens. This picturesque destination is on the wish list of many coffee fans and nature lovers, who love to explore this serene town, which once was a melting pot of different cultures. Hosting numerous attractions in its vicinity, Chikmagalur lures many guests with its everlasting beauty that combines rolling valleys, lush green landscapes, scintillating rivers, and aromatic coffee gardens.
Chikmagalur has a very unique and interesting history. If legends have to be believed, this place belonged to the daughter of Rukmangada, the ruler of Sakharayapatna, who gave this town to her as a gift for her wedding. If we translate the meaning of Chikmagalur in English, it says 'Young Daughter's Town'. The fact makes this place even more appealing for visitors, who love to flock into the city, especially during weekends to enjoy its cool & comfortable climate. There are several things that make Chikmagalur one of the best places to visit in Karnataka and Mullayanagiri is one such place, where tourists experience adventure trekking and nature trails. These activities encourage tourism in Chikmagalur and make it a place worth visiting. Chikmagalur has plenty of points that offer breathtaking views of mountains and emerald landscapes with abundant coffee plants. This place is known as the 'coffee land' of Karnataka and is one of the largest coffee producers in India.
There are several attractions in Chikmagalur including Nehru Rose Garden, Kudremukh National Park, Kalhatti Falls, Hebbe Falls, Kadambi Falls, coffee museum, etc. All these places deserve to be seen and explored.
The Fascinating History of Chikmagalur
Chikmagalur is steeped in a rich and distinct history, just waiting to be explored. The history of Chikmagalur dates back to the medieval period. This little beautiful town in south-western part of Karnataka is captivated with several legends. One of such interesting stories is that the city was given as a dowry to the younger daughter of King Rukmangada. Therefore, Chikmagalur is derived from the Kannada word "Chikkamagala Uru" which means "Younger daughter's town".
The other section of the city, Hiremagalur (short while ago a separate village, now falls under the area of Chikmagalur) was given to the elder daughter. Nevertheless, ancient inscriptions give the low-down that the two places were known as Kiriya-muguli and Piriya-muguli in the olden days. Chikmagalur was also the birthplace for the earliest generations of the Hoysala dynasty where the kings governed their regions in the southern part of the subcontinent. As a matter of fact, the Amrutheshwara temple located at Amruthapura in Tarikere Taluk was built by the king of Hoysala dominion. In the rear, the territory dropped into the clutches of Hyder Ali and handed down to his son Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore. In modern history, Chikkamagaluru gained global attention, when the former Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi was elected to the Lok Sabha.
Origins of Chikmagalur
The history of Chikmagalur dates back to the medieval period. The town was given as a dowry to the younger daughter of King Rukmangada. Hence, Chikmagalur is derived from the Kannada words "Chikkamagala Uru," which means "Younger daughter's town." The other section of the city, Hiremagalur (formerly a separate village, now part of Chikmagalur), was given to the elder daughter. Ancient inscriptions reveal that the two places were known as Kiriya-muguli and Piriya-muguli in olden days.
Hoysala Dynasty
Chikmagalur was also the birthplace for the earliest generations of the Hoysala dynasty. The Hoysala kings ruled their regions in the southern part of the subcontinent from this region.
| Year | King |
|---|---|
| 1026-1041 | Virarajendra Chola I |
| 1041-1110 | Visnuvardhana |
One of the most significant structures built during this period is the Amrutheshwara temple located at Amruthapura in Tarikere Taluk. This magnificent temple was built by the king of Hoysala dominion.
Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan
Later, the territory fell into the hands of Hyder Ali and was passed down to his son Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore.
Modern History
In modern history, Chikmagalur gained global attention when the former Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, was elected to the Lok Sabha from this constituency.
Best Time To Visit Chikmagalur
The mist hugging peaks of the Western Ghats, the pleasurable gentle wind and the luxuriant shrubbery that spreads like a carpet over the landscape - all make Chikmagalur a year round destination in Karnataka But for an overall package of tourist experience, you need the perfect season and we'll tell you about the ideal time for a trip to Chikmagalur. The best time to visit Chikmagalur is from the months of September to March which are the winter months. With pleasant weather throughout the year, the start of the monsoon season (Early July) is also a good time to visit Chikmagalur. However, the place must be avoided in August for it receives heavy rainfall during that month.
October to June is the best time to visit Chikmagalur to experience the real beauty. This is the time when the hill district is spread with a serene environment, lush green forests and tall mountains. This is also the time to participate in trekking, hiking, sightseeing and outdoor activities. Though summer is also a good season to visit Chikmagalur, it is usually crowded with a large number of tourists. Summer is a good season for planning offbeat tours in Chikmagalur, "Bhadra Sanctuary Tour with River Tern Lodge" is the best offbeat tour.
| Season | Months | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | September to March |
|
| Monsoon | Early July to September |
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| Summer | October to June |
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Attractions in Chikmagalur
| Attraction | Description |
|---|---|
| Nehru Rose Garden | This beautiful garden is home to over 3,000 varieties of roses and other flowers. |
| Kudremukh National Park | A protected area with diverse flora and fauna, offering trekking opportunities. |
| Kalhatti Falls | A stunning waterfall located in the Bhadra River basin. |
| Hebbe Falls | Another picturesque waterfall with a height of approximately 55 meters. |
| Kadambi Falls | A beautiful waterfall located near Bhadra Dam. |
| Coffee Museum | A must-visit for coffee lovers, showcasing the rich history and culture of coffee production in Chikmagalur. |
How to Reach Chikmagalur
Chikmagalur is well connected by road and regular bus and cab services are available to and from Bangalore. The nearest airport is Mangalore Airport. Chikmagalur railway line is under construction and should be functional sometime in 2013. Hence, the nearest railway station is Kadur (40km) and can be used by tourists to access this city.
- By Air- The nearest airport to Chikmagalur is Mangalore airport which lies 110 km away from Chikmagalur. From Mangalore, you can hire a taxi or take a bus plying to Chikmagalur.
| Nearest Airport: | Mangalore Airport (IXE) |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 110 km |
- By Road- Chikmagalur is well-connected with the major cities like Bangalore, Mangalore, and Chennai. You can find a number of buses plying to Chikmagalur from these cities. Taxis are also available to Chikmagalur from the nearby cities.
- By Train- Although Chikmagalur has its own station, it is not well-connected. Hence, the nearest railway station to Chikmagalur is Kadur railway station which lies 40 km from Chikmagalur. Various modes of transport are available from Kadur to commute.
| Nearest Railway Station: | Kadur Railway Station (CD) |
|---|---|
| Distance: | 40 km |
