subject: Holidaying In Karnatakas Hill Capital Chikmagalur [print this page] A mere 200km from the bustling metropolis of Bangalore lies southwest Karnatakas hilly capital in the skies, Chikmagalur. At an impressive height of nearly 1040 meters above sea level, this scenic hamlet at the foothills of the Baba Budan Giri Hills is a tourist haven complete with cascading waterfalls, tea and coffee plantations, religious points of interest and towering mountain ranges. With an inviting climate all through the year, this mountainous coffee capital of Karnataka sees the influx of a majority of its visitors during the months between October and March when the monsoons have filled its waterfalls to the brim.
Highlights in any tour of Chikmagalur include a trip to the sacred Sri Sharadamba Temple and Sri Vidyashankara Temple in Sringeri. A sacred destination for pilgrims nationwide, the Sharadamba Temple is dedicated to the Goddess Saraswati who dwells in the Dravidian style temple offering blessings to all her devotees. Built in the period of the Vijayanagar Empire, Sri Vidyashankara temple was originally constructed as a tribute to Pontiff Vidhyashankara. Must- see points of interest in the temple include the 12 zodiac sign denoting pillars that are arranged so as to cast the suns rays according to the time of the year and its corresponding zodiac sign. Visitors should also note that temples with unique specimens of Hoysala art are also located in Chikmagalur specifically in the Belavadi and Amrutapura regions.
A visit to Chikmagalur will also be incomplete without a stopover at the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary. Spread out across an impressive 492 km2 this sprawling wildlife reserve is located 275km from Bangalore city. Known as the Jagara Game Reserve Sanctuary till 1974, the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is an idyllic parkland complete with leopards, elephants, tigers, sloth bears, gaurs and enormous squirrels. A hotspot for all bird watching enthusiasts, the reserves winged inhabitants include king vultures, billed storks, black-napped flycatchers and great horned owls. A butterfly park is also located within the sanctuary grounds that also include a high peak dubbed Kallahathigiri which affords stunning views of the wildlife sanctuary from a height of 1875 meters. Chikmagalurs two lush forests Bhadra and Muthodi also contain a rich heritage of animal and bird species owing to the locales unique ecosystem.
Nature lovers must also visit the many waterfalls scattered across this tourist hub which include the monumental Kalhatagiri falls and Manikyadhara falls. The Hebbe falls and Shanti falls are also frequented by seasoned visitors after the monsoons while the Sirimane falls is also worth a visit.
As Indias premier coffee cultivation point Chikmagalur is also a great venue to pick up the best blend of the citys most popular produce. Tea plantations are also part of the landscape and visitors can grab coffee and tea bags by the truckload to take home and savour as a delectable souvenir.
Those in search of a colonial style hotel in Chikmagalur will be more than satisfied with The Gateway Hotel KM Road Chikmagalur. Quietly nestled in the coffee capital of Karnataka this charming rest, 35km from Kadur train station, is one luxury hotel Chikmagalur counts among its best accommodation providers.
by: Pushpitha Wijesinghe
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