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. The 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 . Number of rivers originates from the hills of Chikmagalur district and flow in all the seasons.
Amruthapura (67 km)
Amruthapura is known for the splendid Amriteshwara temple built in 1196 AD by Amriteshwara Dandanayaka, a general of the Hoysala ruler Ballala II. The temple is an excellent specimen of Hoysala style, with some features which are unique in design and execution. The entire temple is built using black soapstone quarried from a small hill called Annegudda, 20 km away. Amrithapura village is only 10 km from Tarikere
Ayyanakere (18 km)
Ayyanakere is about 18 kms north-east of Chikmagalur town. It is located at the eastern base of the Baba-Budan range, this ancient tank to have been constructed by Rukmangada raya, a chief of Sakrepatna and renovated later in 1156 AD during the Hoysala times. The tank now provides irrigation facility to about 1,500 hectares of land.
The Bababudan Range
Originally called Chandra drona parvatha, Baba Budan Giri Range is one of the highest mountain peaks between the Himalayas and the Nilgiris. Peaks in the Baba Budan Giri Range include Mullayanagiri (1930 meters) and Baba Budan Giri (1895 meters). The peak, Baba Budan Giri is named after the Muslim saint Baba Budan. It is believed that the saint Baba Budan brought back seven seeds of coffee from his pilgrimage to Yemen and planted the seeds around his shrine, which soon spread to other regions.
Sri Guru Dattatreya Bababudanswamy’s Darga
Sri Guru Dattatreya Bababudanswamy’s Darga on the Baba budan hills is respected by both Hindus and Muslims. A cave here is believed to have been sanctified by the residence of Shri Dattatreya swamy and Hazarat Dada Hayath Mir Khalandar and other saints. Nearby are the famous waterfalls – Gada Theertha, Kamana Theertha and Nellikayi Theertha.
Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is 38 km north-west of Chikmagalur town. The sanctuary is surrounded by Mullayanagiri, Hebbe Giri, Gange Giri and Baba Budan Giri hills and has the tributaries of the Bhadra river flowing through it. The various wildlife can be found in this sanctuary like Gaur, Elephants, Tiger, Leopard, Sambar, Chital spotted deer, Boar, Porcupine, Muntjac, birds like the Peacock, Parrot, Partridge, Pigeon, Munia and Bee eaters, and reptiles such as King Cobras and Indian Rock Pythons.
Horanadu
Horanadu is about 100 km south-west of Chikmagalur. A place of charming natural scenery, the ancient temple of Goddess Annapoomeshwari here has been restored and renamed as the Adi-Shaktyatmaka Shri Annapoomeshwari. The place attracts lots of pilgrims who are provided free food, boarding and lodging by the temple.
Kemmangundi
Kemmangundi is located on the most fascinating spot in the Baba Budan range. Kemmangundi is also known as K.R. Hills after Wodeyar King, Krishnaraja Wodeyar who had made it his favourite summer camp. An ideal retreat of loneliness and natural beauty. The two waterfalls – Kallathagiri and Hebbe are best picnic spots.
Kudremukh
Kudremukh literally means ‘horse face’. It is so called, for its mountain ranges look like the face of a horse. The deep valleys and steep precipices of this hill station have great natural beauty. Cool and salubrious climate throughout the year.