Kemmangundi

Kemmangundi is a hill station in Chikmagalur which is famous for its scenic views. It is located in the Tarikere taluk of Chikmagalur district. The height of Kemmangundi is approximately 1434 metres above sea level. This hill station is also known as KR Hills because it was a summer retreat for the Mysore King Krishnaraja Wodeyar the fourth. He later donated this place to the Government of Karnataka and currently this place is handled by the Horticultural Department of Karnataka.This place derives its name from there Kannada words that are Kempu which means red,Mannu which means soil and gundi which means pit. Thus it means a place with red soil. There is a dense forest cover here because this region is covered with coffee plantations and tea plantations and also with thick bamboo groves.

TRANSPORTATION AND BEST TIME TO VISIT THE PLACE

When it comes to transportation the  Mangalore Airport is the closest airport to Kemmangundi. One will also have to take a taxi from the airport in order to reach Kemamngundi. There are many private and state run buses to reach Kemmangundi.Besides,Kemmangundi is also very well connected by road from the major cities in Karnataka.Taxis are also a good option if one plans on going by road to Kemmangundi. The closest railway station to reach here is Tarikere or one can also get down at Birur and accordingly  then take a taxi from the railway station to reach Kemmangundi. The best time to visit this place is from the months of September to May because the atmosphere is quite pleasant. However It is best to avoid this place during monsoons.

ACCOMODATION AND FOOD

There is a guest house that is run by the Horticulture Department of Karnataka.If one wishes to stay there they can and the price too is quite affordable. Some of the other places where one can stay are the Last Resort, Valley of Birds,Dhoopada Giri Lodge, Joe's HomeStay,Butter Clouds HomeStay,New Samriddhi HomeStay,etc There are a number of restaurants  where one can eat food near and around Kemmangundi. Some of the names of hotels are Kemmangundi Restaurant, SKRHS Restaurant, Farm Cafe,Hotel Tarikere Grand Kitchen, The Hill Restaurant,etc

PLACES TO VISIT

While trekking to Kemmangundi, a famous spot that one comes across is the Z point. The trek to the Z point has deep gorges and this point is extremely popular for having the best views of Kemmangundi. The cool breeze that falls on the trekker's face when they reach the point is very refreshing for them. One should reach this point to view the sunrise and sunset because it is breathtaking. It is also possible to camp at this point.

The Raj Bhawan at Kemmangundi offers an amazing view during sunset. This place is ideal for all photography lovers and also nature lovers because it has beautiful valleys, streams and also valleys.

The Shanti falls on the way to the Z point is another sight to behold. This is located amongst the Kemmangundi forest cover and is considered to be a natural water pool.The water here is also believed to have healing properties.This place is best to visit during the early winters and also during late monsoons.One should also not miss out on the Shola grasslands which are located right near the waterfalls.This place is also good to click pictures.

The Ayyanakere Lake is one of the biggest lakes of the Chikmagalur district.Tourists come here almost throughout the year.This lake is spread over a region of 22 hectares and there are lush green surroundings around this lake which add to it's beauty.The Shakungiri range can be seen in the backdrop of the lake.One can also enjoy other activities here such as fishing and camping.

The most amazing place near Kemmangundi is Shivgiri Trails. This place is covered in thick forests of Yemmedoddi. It is best not to visit this place during monsoon because the trails become slippery here. There are many activities here that one can indulge in such as trekking, rock climbing and also viewing the coffee plantation trails. Many times one spots and hears animals like the tigers, sloth bear,wild boar, panthers,etc in the wild life reserve here. One can also explore an ancient fort and the surrounding caves there. For someone who is really adventurous, they can attempt to summit the Doddabale Siddaragudda peak which is 5500ft high and also try to kayak in the waters of Lake Madagadakere.

The village of Amruthapura is known for its Amrutheshwara temple which was approximately built in the 11th century. This temple is an example of the Hoysala architecture and it is inscribed with medieval Kannada poetry. It is sculpted in typical clay stone. There is an interesting fact about this village which states that it only has 17 houses and the population of the village consists of only 100 people and thus tourists find this place fascinating. One gets to explore the village,the traditional houses here and also try the local food here giving the tourist an opportunity to understand the culture here in a better manner.

The Shethihalli Church is another remarkable place to visit. This was built by the French missionaries approximately in the 1860s but was later abandoned because of the construction of the Hemavati Dam. This site is considered to be an unusual landmark. This structure is an example of Gothic architecture and the atmosphere there is quite eerie. Half of this Church during the rainy season goes underwater and this makes the place quite intriguing. One will have to take a boat to reach the floating Church and see it's beautiful Chapel and arches.

The Rajendra Hill is another famous tourist spot. It is approximately 4750ft. The tourists come here to see the extraction and transportation of iron ore from the deposits at the hill. This place is also known for its scenic beauty and the nature trails here are great for exploration and trekking. It is a also a good place for those like to do photography.

Thus, this surely is an interesting and fascinating place to visit.