In this article, we provide comprehensive information about the geography, history, population, and top tourist destinations of Chikmagalur District.
| About District: | Chikmagalur is a district in the state of Karnataka, known for being the birthplace of coffee cultivation in India. The Chikmagalur Mountains, part of the Western Ghats, give rise to rivers such as the Tunga and Bhadra. This area includes Mullayagiri, the highest peak in Karnataka. It’s a popular tourist destination, featuring attractions like Kemmannugundi, Kudremukh, and the stunning Manikadhar, Hebbe, and Kallathigiri Falls. The district also boasts a rich history, highlighted by the Hoysala temple in Amritsar. Wildlife enthusiasts are drawn to the Kudremukh National Park and Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary located within the district. |
| History: | Chikmagalur spent the early days of the Hoysala kings and their dynasty. According to a legend, it is in Sussevar, now identified with Angadi in the Mudikere taluk, killing the mythical assassination of the Hoysala dynasty founder Sala Hoysala Crest. The great king of the Hoysala Empire, Veera Ballala II (1173 – 1220 CE), has been known to have built the Amriteshwar Temple at Amrithapura in Tharikere Taluk. BC Coffee was introduced to India by Chikmagalur district in 1670 when the first coffee crop was grown in the Baba Budan Giri range. According to the article Origins of Coffee, Saint Baba Budan traveled to Mecca on a pilgrimage through the Mocha port named Yemen, where he found coffee. To introduce its taste to India, he wrapped up seven coffee seeds around his stomach and left them out of Arabia. After returning, they planted beans in Chikmagalur hills. In recent history, Chikmagalur concentrated on global attention in 1978, when former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi contested elections and was elected to the Lok Sabha of the Indian Parliament. Citation needed |
| Geography: | Chikmagalur is the headquarters of the Chikmagalur district, 251 km from Bangalore. (156 mi) and surrounded by lunar grain hills and dense forests. The district is situated between 12° 54′ 42″ and 13° 53′ 53″ north latitude, and 75° 04′ 46″ and 76° 21′ 50″ east longitude, spanning 138.4 kilometers from east to west and 88.5 kilometers from north to south. The average annual rainfall in the district is about 1925 mm. Mullanagiri, the highest point in the district, rises to 1,926 m above sea level, making it the tallest peak in Karnataka. Approximately 30% of the district is covered by forests, totaling around 2108.62 km². It is bordered by Shimoga to the north, Davangere to the northeast, Chitradurga and Tumkur to the east, Hassan to the south, and Udupi to the west. The Bhadra, Tunga, Hemavati, Netravati, and Vedavathi rivers flow throughout the year. The district is rich in mineral resources, including iron, magnetite, and granite. Black soil is prevalent around the Baba Budan Giri hills, while red and gravel soils are found in the southern regions. Chikmagalur is notable for being the birthplace of coffee cultivation in India. The Chikmagalur Mountains, part of the Western Ghats, are the source of rivers like Tunga and Bhadra. The district is home to Karnataka’s highest peak, Mullayagiri, and is a popular tourist destination, featuring attractions like Kemmannugundi, Kudremukh, and the stunning Manikadhar, Hebbe, and Kallathigiri Falls. Chikmagalur also boasts a rich history, with the Hoysala temple in Amritsar being a significant landmark. Wildlife enthusiasts are drawn to the Kudremukh National Park and Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary located within the district. |
| Country : | India |
| State: | Karnataka |
| District: | Chennai |
| Population: | 1,137,961 (2011) |
| Language: | Kannada |
| Literacy rate: | Average literacy rate in Chikmagalur district as per census 2011 is 87.93 % of which males and females are 91.40 % and 84.51 % literates respectively. |
| Major Attractions to Visit: | 1. Baba Budangiri 2. Mullayanagiri 3. Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary 4. Kudremukh National Park 5. Rafting in Bhadra River 6. Hebbe Falls 7. Bhadra Dam 8. Coffee Museum 9. Shopping in Chikmagalur 10. Kalhatti Falls 11. Hirekolale Lake 12. Z Point 13. Jhari Waterfalls 14. Kemmanagundi 15. Manikyadhara Falls 16. Belavadi 17. Inam Dattatreya Peetha 18. Sringeri Sharada Peetham 19. Ballalarayana Durga Fort 20. Ghatikallu |
