Its exquisite step into the rich earth and let the grass your feet, dew drops wash your toes,and your heart goes, Ah! you are in heavenly Chikmagalur.

Words are never enough to paint a picture that is Chikmagalur. Your imagination of calm soothing music could be a fine prelude to what lies ahead for you in this glorious land of coffee, hills and sparkling waters. As you venture into the unexpected Western Ghats, situated in the south western part of Karnataka, carved against a mountains canvas, you'll find this virgin land a nature's bounty, a large basket of pleasant surpises….

Lofty peaks, racing rivers, sparkling streams,captivating cascades and the bracing mountain air-a soothing balm to the work-weary. Climbing high above the world where the mountains touch the sky, be enticed bt the raw power of natural splendour and the beauty of the snow-white coffee blossoms.

To all those who seek adventure / sport, this hilly district with rugged mountain trails, is God's own gift. These hills and valleys have been sublime abodes of the Kings and Sadhus alike. This is the land of legends and heores, the air alive with tales and deeds from the epics Ramayana and Mahabharatha.

The numerous piligrim spots are associated with the history of the land and are benchmarks on the path leading towards realization of the ultimate truth. The Agraharas have been lively centers of education and philosophical discourses, and numerous epigraphs are peans to dynastic dominance of yore.

JOURNEY INTO THE PAST

Chilkmaglur is considered to be the place of origin and early reign of the Hosysalas, who played a decisive role in the history of South India. It was at Sosevur, identified with Angadi in Mudigere Taluk that Sala, the founder of the Hoysala crest. The district takes its name from the town 'Chikmagalur' which literally means youngest daughter's town. The place was given as dowry to the youngest daughter of Rukmangada, the chief of Sakrepatna. Another part of the town bestowed on the elder daughter is known as Hiremagalur. But some old inscriptions reveal that these two places were known Kiriya-muguli and Piriyamuguli.

CHIKAMAGALUR- THE TOWN.

Situated in a fertile valley, south of the Baba Buban range is the headquarter town of the district. This charming little town enjoys a salubrious climate and has venerated monuments of many religious - Kodandrama Temple-a synthesis of Hoysala and Dravindian style of architecture, the Jamia Mosque, New St. Josph's Cathedral- with unique shell shaped portico.

Hiremagalur which is now a part of Chikmagalur town has an Ishwara temple with a 4ft. high rotund figure of Jademuni. The temple also has a Yoopastambha installed by King Janamejaya during his serpent sacrifice. Parashurama Temple and the Kali shrine are others places of worship. There is also the everchanging face of Chikmagalur - a centre of education, trade and commerce.

COFFEE ROWS

The white blossoms fill the air with fragrance and spot the hills with a series of lovely flowers. Coffee has added to the economic prosperity of the region. Baba Buban's seven seeds of coffee was planted around his shrine in 1670 AD. In time it spread to other religion of Karnataka and became a kitchen crop. During the reign of Tippu Sultan, it was sold at the local weekend fairs. In the 18th Century after the fall of Tippu Sultan, Mysore fell in to the hands of the English and they were impressed with the variety of coffee of the region. Under the British, large forest areas were turned into coffee plantations. To this day the sylvan slopes are studded with coffee plantations.

It is a cherishing wxperience during the flowering season of March and April when the air is filled with the heady fragrance of coffee blossoms. As a major coffee producing district in the country, it has numerous coffee curing centers where the raw coffee is dried, shelled, winnowed, graded and packed. The district houses the Central Coffee Research Institute formerly known as the Coffee Experimental Station.

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