Chikmagalur

Chikmagalur (Kannada: ಚಿಕ್ಕಮಗಳೂರು) is a city in Karnataka, known for its coffee plantations and Bababudan Giri ranges.

The park near State Bank junction, Court Road, Chikmagalur

Kadur Road

Rice, lentils and raita are the ingredients of Chickmagalur food

Understand

Chikmagalur city (Chikkamagaluru district) is at the foot of highest mountain range in Karnataka. The life-supporting rivers of Karnataka and other states - Tunga, Bhadra, Hemavati, Vedavati, Yagachi originate in the Western Ghat hills of the district. The district is a great attraction to all kinds of people - trekkers, pilgrims, travellers and tourists. This area is famous for the coffee estates in the vicinity and also known as the Coffee Belt of the South.

Get in

By air

Mangalore airport, 170km Bangalore airport, 250km.

By train

• Passenger trains are available from Shimoga and Kadur at a distance of 40km.
• Arrivals and Departures from Chikkamagaluru Railway Station
• Train Number 56271: Shivamogga-Chikkamagaluru Passenger-Departs Shivamogga at 18:15 and arrives Chikkamagaluru at 21:30 [via; Kadur Jn]
• Train Number 56272: Chikkamagaluru-Shivamogga Passenger-Departs Chikkamagaluru at 06:30 and arrives Shivamogga at 09:30 [via; Kadur Jn]
• Train Number 56277: Chikkamagaluru-Yeshvantpur Jn Fast Passenger-Departs Chikkamagaluru at 07:30 and arrives Yeshvantpur Jn at 14:15 [via; Kadur Jn]
• Train Number 56278: Yeshvantpur Jn-Chikkamagaluru Fast Passenger-Departs Yeshvantpur Jn at 15:15 and arrives Chikkamagaluru at 22:20 [via; Kadur Jn]

By bus

Chikmagalur is located on the Highway from Hassan towards Shringeri and has regular Luxury as well as ordinary buses from Bangalore. Regular ordinary buses connect Chikmagalur to Mysore, Hassan with a single services to Calicut. Buses from interior Karnataka towards Mangalore too pass via Chikmagalur and hence, ordinary buses connect Chikmaglur regularly to Dharmastala, Mangalore, Shimoga, Davangere and Sringeri.

By car

You can drive to Chikmagalur comfortably by road from Hassan60 km, which is again 185 km from Bangalore.

By taxi/car rental

You can hire a taxi or rent a car from Bangalore to visit Chikmagalur. Out station car rental companies charge for a minimum of 250 km/day @ a fare/km rate + driver charges (BA/TA: Boarding Allowance Travel Allowance). The fares depend upon the type of car you are looking for. It is advisable to rent cars from reliable and established car rental operators.

Get around

By autorickshaw

Drivers don't go by meters. They fix a charge for the place you want to go; bargaining is up to you. The more your attire and luggage announce that you are a tourist the greater the chance of drivers ripping you off.

By taxi

Tourist Cabs are the best choice in case you want to tour the city all day or visit nearby places like Kemmannagundi. Costs are about ₹10 per kilometer

See

Temples

• 🌍 Amrutapura Temple, Amrutapura. This temple is located the village of Amrutapura 67 km north of Chikmagalur. (updated Apr 2015)
• Balehonnur. (updated Apr 2015)
• 🌍 Veera Narayana Temple (Belavadi), Belavadi. The village Belavadi is home to this well known temple. It is located approximately 30 km from Chikmagature (updated Apr 2015)
• Shree Kshetra Horanadu Annapooraneshwari Temple (Buses not frequent from Chikmaglur. Regular buses available from Bangalore & Hassan via Mudigere). About 80 km from chikmaglur; Famous for the Annapooraneshwari Temple, or the Goddess of Food. Hence, Lunch and Dinner is a must have here, as it is considered a direct Prasadam by the Goddess. Located on bhadra River
  The Roads wind around the ghats. Self driving not recommended, unless one is very familiar negotiating the ghat terrains regularly.
  Taxies available as a package connecting Sringeri and horanadu and returning back to Chikmaglur on same day , at pre-fixed prices (updated Apr 2015)
• Kalasa Shiva Temple. Located 5 km from Horanadu. Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva a.k.a Lord Vishwanatha. Believed to be the Kashi of the South, owing to the presence of Annapooraneshwari Temple at 5 km distance, similar to Kashi Kshetra. Main attraction is the idols of a Male & Female Elephant pulling the trunk of the tree, the process of devouring a demon (updated Apr 2015)
• Sringeri Sharadha Peetham (Regular buses available). 100 km from Chikmaglur, is the Sharada peetham of Sringeri, established by Shri Adi Shankarar. It is said, that while Adi shankarar searched for a place for establishing a Devi Peetham, he reached the banks of Tunga River. It was raining heavily. At that moment, he noticed that a Frog was into labour, unable to move in the rain. A cobra, at this point, spread its hood and protected the frog from the rain . Adi shankarar concluded , that no other place could be better for establishing the Peetham and immediately chose it
  sharada Devi, incarnation of Adi Parasakthi , in knowledge form, is the main deity. There is also an old Hoysala type Temple on the banks of Tunga River housing 3 other Sannidhis. The Ashrama of the Head, is on the other bank of the river, and a bridge connects across. The Ashrama has a very peaceful atmosphere (updated Apr 2015)

Hill Stations

• B.B.Hills (Bababudangiri). Minibus starts from the Private busstand everyday by 12.30 pm. Once you reach B.B.Hills, you have just one hour to explore the hills because the same bus returns by 5 p.m. There is only one tea shop at B.B.Hills, so you have to beg for a plate of hot porottas. But you can skip the eating as the scenes are terrific. (updated Apr 2015)
• Devi Rammana Betta. (updated Apr 2015)
• Giridarshini, Mangalore Road (6 km). (updated Apr 2015)
• Kaimara. The road from Kaimara to Kemmannagundi is heavenly. (updated Apr 2015)
• Kemmanagundi (57 km). Rose garden also. (updated Apr 2015)
• Mullayangiri. highest point in South Karnataka- accessible only through private vehicles. Road leads almost to 80% of the peak and balance to be climed by a fleet of stairs. Self driving not recommended, owing to steep assent and blind curves enroute (updated Apr 2015)
• Rathnagiri. Good view of the city (updated Apr 2015)

Other Attractions

Mud road in the heart of Chikmagalur

• Agumbe (3 hour drive). (updated Apr 2015)
• Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary (38 km). 1,875 m above sea level (updated Apr 2015)
• Cafe Coffee Day Headquarters. (updated Apr 2015)
• Coffee Museum (5 km.). (updated Apr 2015)
• 🌍 Hebbe Falls, Near Kemmanagundi. (updated Apr 2015)
• Hirekolale Pond. (updated Apr 2015)
• 🌍 Kudremukh National Park. (updated Apr 2015)
• Malayamarutha (50 km). (updated Apr 2015)

Do

• Camping
• Fishing
• Kayaking
• Trekking
• Chikmagalur Walk (5 km). Turn right from the chekpost bus stop on Kadur road. Walk past summit school upto Aldur village. Proceed to Railway station area. Visit the Brahmakumaris ashram on the way. Very scenic surroundings. (updated May 2015)

Buy

ATMs

Available in plenty.

Money Exchange

Do it before you arrive at Chikmagalur.

Eat

Balls of red finger millet are eaten in Chikmagalur with a curry of pulses

Budget

• Food Palace, R.G Rd. Fairly medium sized fast-food joint, ideal for breakfast as well. Very clean hotel. 
• Hotel Kamat, Indira Gandhi Rd. 
• Maharaja Restaurant, IG Rd. You will get very good non-veg food at very reasonable price. The service is very nice. 
• Malnad Paradise, Indira Gandhi Rd. 
• Mayura Vegetarian, Near Head Post Office. for Masala Dosai, a fermented crepe made from rice batter, black lentils, potato and onions. ₹35 (updated Apr 2015)
• Raj Mahal Hotel, Indira Gandhi Rd. 
• Salpicon, K.M Rd (head north-east on KM Rd. Pass by Gas Station (on the left). Destination is on the right, opp APMC Market and nearby to AIT college), ☎ [phone]. Open Mon 4PM-9:30PM; Tue-Sun 11:30AM-9:30PM. Burger shop with an unique flavour of herbs on it. 
• Hotel Soundarya (Opposite to Chikmaglur bus stand). (updated Feb 2018)

Mid-range

• Castle Homestay, - Kadabagere, Sangameshwar Pet Post. 
• Hotel Soundarya Residency and Hotel Soundarya Deluxe, Indira Gandhi Rd (nearby the bus stand). 
• Town Canteen, Ratnagiri Rd (opposite DACG Polytechnic). Do not miss the Masala Dosa. One of the famous joints for them, they may beat even Vidyarthi Bhavan of Bangalore. Avoid extra butter. 

Splurge

• Eagle Eye Resort, Hoscodu Estate, Via – Sangameshwarpet (between Bhadra and Muthodi Wildlife Sanctuary Kadavanthi. From Chikmagalur follow the road about 45 km toward Aldur. From Aldur Junction turn right and travel until you reach a small church on the left. Turn right there. Total distance from Chikmagalur is about 45 km), ☎ [phone]. ₹1,400-₹4,000. 
• The Gateway Hotel, K.M. Rd (opposite Pavitravana Jyothinagar), ☎ [phone], [phone]. 
• The Planters Court, K M Rd, ☎ [phone]. 
• The Serai, Mugthihalli, K M Rd, Karnataka. 

Drink

Sleep

Budget

• Hotel Empire, Off Indira Gandhi Rd. Opened around Oct 2010, small but good rooms, clean bathrooms but questionable service. ₹1,000. 
• Hotel Soundarya Residency, Indira Gandhi Rd. Some rooms have A/C. 
• Raj Mahal Hotel, Indira Gandhi Road. (updated Apr 2015)

Mid-range

• 🌍 Gatikallu Homestay, 5 Kerekal Estate, Sunkasale Post, Mudigere (T), Aramane Thalagur, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Tucked in a remote corner of Chikmagalur district. ₹1750. 
• 🌍 Mekanagadde Homestay, Mekanagadde, Mudigere, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Check-in: 11:00 Am, check-out: 11:00 Am. Scenic homestay within the Western Ghats of Chikmagalur. Serves authentic food. ₹2000. (updated Dec 2016)

Splurge

• Eagle Eye Resort, Hoscodu Estate, Via – Sangameshwarpet. Between Bhadra and Muthodi Wildlife Sanctuary Kadavanthi (From Chikmagalur follow the road about 45 km toward Aldur. From Aldur Junction turn right and travel until you reach a small church on the left. Turn right there. Total distance from Chikmagalur is about 45 km), ☎ [phone]. Scenic resort with sports, volleyball, badminton and a bonfire in the evenings. River side picnic (extra cost of ₹500). Shooting and target practice cost ₹1,400-₹4,000 per day/person. Room/cottage/villa/glass-house with a mini skywalk. Room rate includes breakfast-lunch-dinner and tea in the morning and evening. 
• The Gateway Hotel, K.M. Rd (Opposite Pavitravana Jyothinagar), ☎ [phone]. Restored colonial architecture in the coffee district, surrounded by sights and sounds of nature. 
• The Planters Court, K M Rd, ☎ [phone]. Accommodation includes 3 suites. Multi cuisine restaurants serving local Malnad cuisine to North Indian, Chinese & European specialities. 
• The Serai, Mugthihalli, K M Rd. Check-in: 2:30PM, check-out: 12:30PM. 
• Thotadhahalli Home Stay, Thotadhahalli Estate, Kaimara (P), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 

Connect

Post offices are available in Basavanahalli, Vijayapura, MG Rd and the General Post Office (GPO), at the end of MG Rd.

Go next

• Hassan
• Kemmannagundi
• Kudremukha
• Mangalore
• Shringeri