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Chikmagalur

''Chikmagalur is situated in south western part of Karnataka. Chikmagalur literally means "The town of the younger daughter" in the Kannada language. The district is named after its headquarters town of Chikmagalur. The major commercial crop is coffee.
he hill stations around Chikmagalur are famous summer retreats since they remain cool even during summers. Mullayanagiri, the highest peak in Karnataka is 12 Kms away from Chikmagalur. The district is dotted with many holy spots and tourist places. ''

Although the town of Chikmagalur is a very quaint one, that can be best described as an abode for relaxation, the surrounding region has a varied landscape - from the low flatlands to the hilly regions of Malnad. The district has a huge number of coffee estates, and is rightly considered to be the coffee capital of Karnataka.

The town houses the famous Mahatma Gandhi Park, which is a prime tourist destination. Tourists mainly flock to the town during the time of Dussehra (following Navratri), as the folk performances and the cultural scenes can render travellers breathless.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Chikmagalur can be visited any time of the year. However, the period between October and April is considered best for sightseeing. The period between June and September is ideal for visiting waterfalls as the rainy season adds to the natural beauty of the place.

PLACES AROUND CHIKMAGALUR

Baba Budan Giri - Baba Budan Giri Range or Chandra Drona Parvatha is located in the north of Chikmagalur town and is among the most visited places in the region.

Manikyadhara Falls - This waterfall is situated near the famous pilgrimage site of Baba Budan Giri Dattatreya Peetha.

Kallathigiri Falls - It is situated at a distance of 10 km from Kemmangundi. Here water falls from a height of 122 meters from the Chandra Drona hill.

Hebbe Falls - It is a beautiful waterfall situated at a distance of 10 km from the famous hill station, Kemmangundi. Here water streams down in two stages to form Dodda Hebbe (Big Falls) and Chikka Hebbe (Small Falls).

Amrutheshwara Temple - The temple has been named after its architect, Amrutheshwara Dandanayaka. Amrutheshwara Temple includes a vimana (shrine) of ekakuta design, a wide open mantapa (hall) and a closed mantapa that connects with an open hall.

Ayyanakere Lake - Travellers on a trip to Chikmagalur are advised to visit Ayyanakere Lake, situated 20 km from the town. The lake lies in the Malnad region, amidst calm and beautiful surroundings and is the second largest lake in Karnataka. It was created in the 12th century in order to maintain the fertility of the area.

Central Coffee Research Institution - Tourists on a trip to Chikmagalur are advised to visit the Central Coffee Research Institution (CCRI) that was established in the year 1915. CCRI was set up at Koppa Laboratory in order to solve the problem of leaf diseases that affected coffee plant. The institution covers an area of 130 hectare, wherein 80.26 hectare is dedicated just to plantation. 28.94 hectare of the planted area is taken by Robusta coffee and 51.32 hectare by Arabica.

CLIMATE

Climate remains pleasant for most part of the year, summers being the idol receiver of the gifts of Nature in geography that facilitates the climate. Temperature rarely goes above 20°C in summers and nights can be cooler than expectation so bringing few warm clothes always works. In winters, the temperature often drops to 0°C, so being prepared for that make it comfortable to enjoy touring Munnar and immersing in the cool of its days and nights. Monsoons are often heavy and thus people avoid coming here during June to September.

HOW TO REACH THERE

Air: Mangalore International Airport is the nearest domestic and international airport. Earlier known as the Bajpe Airport, it is situated at a distance of about 151 km from Chikmagalur.

Rail: Kadur (40 km) and Hassan (60 km) are the two nearest railway stations to Chikmagalur. However, Hubli is the major railhead near Chikmagalur, situated at a distance of about 291 km.

Road: Chikmagalur is well connected with major cities, such as Bangalore (245 km), Mangalore (151 km), Hubli (293 km) and Tirupati (493 km), to name a few.