Chikmagalur is a city located in
the Chikmagalur district in the Indian state of Karnataka. Located in the
foothills of the Mullayanagiri range, the city with its favorable climate and
coffee estates attracts tourists from around the state
Chikmagalur takes its name from
the Kannada Chikkamagaḷa ūru that translates to "younger daughter's
town". It is said to have been given as a dowry to the youngest daughter
of Rukmangada, the legendary chief of Sakharayapattana.
Chikmagalur is situated in the
Malenadu region of Karnataka in the Deccan plateau in the foothills of the
Western Ghats. It is situated at an elevation of 1,090 metres (3,580 ft) above
mean sea level. The Yagachi River has its source near the town and flows in the
south-easterly direction before uniting with the Kaveri river. Chikmagalur
generally has a moderate to cool climate. The temperature of the city varies
from 11-20 °C during winter to 25-32 °C during summer.
Chikmagalur is the region where
the Hoysala rulers started and spent the early days of their dynasty. According
to a legend, it was at Sosevur, now identified with Angadi in Mudigere Taluk
that Sala, the founder of the Hoysala dynasty, killed the legendary tiger,
immortalised in the Hoysala crest. It is known that Veera Ballala II
(1173 – 1220 CE), the great king of Hoysala empire, has built the Amriteshwara
temple at Amrithapura in Tarikere Taluk.
Coffee was introduced into India
through the Chikmagalur district when the first coffee crop was grown in the
baba budan giri range during 1670 AD.According to the article Origins of
Coffee, the saint Baba Budan on his pilgrimage to Mecca travelled through the
seaport of Mocha, Yemen where he discovered coffee. To introduce its taste to
India, he wrapped seven coffee beans around his belly and got them out of
Arabia. On his return home, he planted the beans in the hills of Chikmagalur.
In recent history, Chikmagalur
was the centre of global attention in the year 1978 when the former Indian
Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi contested for elections here and got elected to
Lok Sabha, the Indian Parliament
Chikmagalur district attracts
many tourists especially from India due its scenic locations and nearby hill
stations such as Baba Budan giri, Kudremukha, Mullayanagiri, Kalasa,
Koppa,Sringeri, Jayapura and Mudigere. There are plenty of options for
accommodation in Chikmagalur most popular being homestays which provides an opportunity to stay with a local family
for a fee. It's an affordable accommodation alternative, ideal for independent
leisure travellers of all ages, interns, gap year students, students living
abroad and anyone seeking a real and genuine travel experience.