Travelling has always been a passion for me and my colleagues, especially trekking in Karnataka and thus we always travel far and wide and explore the beautiful nooks and crannies of India at every given chance. It was one such expedition that took me to the amazing town of Chikmagalur. One of the quaintest places hidden in the breadth of Karnataka, Chikmagalur is an ideal destination for tourists like me.
One thing I noticed as soon as we landed was that, wow the place is popular man! There are major tourist crowd here. We saw many nice spots namely, the Ratnagiri bore, (alternatively known as the Mahatma Gandhi Park), the M.G road (for shopping), etc. But what really stays with you is the scenic beauty of Chikmagalur. The city is not that modernized even though there is a plethora of renowned institutions, etc. There is a quiet simplicity to the place, which is quite famous for growing coffee. It is said that coffee was first cultivated in India in the district of Chikmagalur.
Chikmagalur district is also famous for its mystic stories that is a regular for most towns and cities. The place is also lovingly known as the “town of the young daughter”. Why? Well visit and get the localities to tell you in person!
The refreshing town of peace
The town celebrates some form of jatra or festival all through the year. As per some statistics, it was one of the fifty festivities that got celebrated during the year at Sri Jagad Guru Shankaracharya Dhakshinamnaya Mahasamsthanam Sri Sharada Peetha at Sringeri or Sri Renuka Jayanthi or Sri Veerabhadra Swamy Mahotsava at Rambha Puri Matha at Balehonnur. Wow, isn’t it? Amidst the serenity of the beautiful place, one cannot put aside the amazing Dassera Mahotsava of Mailaralingeswami of Birur where, if lucky, one can see the Dollu Kunitha and Veeragase. These are the thrilling and most heroic folk dance of the area!
The annual festivals of the local temples are just spell binding, as are the Suggi habba or the harvest festival. For once, the quiet mountains and the silent valleys rejoice with the excitement and bustle of the great rejoicing that takes place in the rural parts.
One fine recommendation for all the travelers is to visit the famous dargah of Dada Mir Hayat Qalandar. He was a Sufi saint and the dargah is atop the hills of budhan baba. The mountains of Chikmagalur were the best part for us campers, who thrive for peace and tranquility. These mountains are a part of the Western Ghats, and one can find rivers like Tunga and Bhadra flowing by rapidly.
Yes, we did trek to Mullayanagiri, which is the highest peak in Karnataka, and trust me, the climb was totally worth it! The view from the top is indescribable and one just needs to experience the whole scene spread out before you… an amazing experience that changes you life for good. Come away on a trip that makes beautiful memories for years to come! Looking ahead to do more Adventure in India.
