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MANIKYA DHARA

At a short distance from Guru Dattatreya Bababudanswaamy’s Darga are the three famous waterfalls with epic associations – Gada Theertha, Kamana Theertha, Nellikayi Theertha. Gada theertha according to a myth was created by the Pandava prince Bheema with his ‘gada’, to quench the thirst of his mother during their exile. Pilgrims who bathe in the Nellikayi Theertha formed by Manikya Dhara Waterfall, leave behind one item of their clothing as per a local belief.

BABA BUDDAN GIRI
To the north of Chikmagalur town is the Baba-Budan Range or Chandra Drona Parvatha as it was known in olden times, which has one of the highest mountain peaks between the Himalayas and the Nilgiris. The loftiest point of the range is Mullaiyanagiri which is 1,926 meters above sea level. The three large caves here said to have been sanctified by 3 siddhas contain their icons and ‘gaddiges’ (tombs) and an annual jatra is held here in their honor. The enthralling scenery around makes this a much frequented pilgrim center. Seethala Mallappana Kanive to the left side is said to have been hallowed by Sidha Seethalaya and contains a Matha and the dual shrine temple of Seethala-Mallikarjuna. The Baba-Budan range has taken its name from the 1895 meters high Baba-Budan Giri, situated just 28 kms north of Chikmagalur town. A beacon lighted here during Deepavali can be seen at Chikmagalur. The peak takes its name from the Muslim saint, Baba-Budan, who took up residence here for more than 150 years ago and brought the coffee seeds for the first time from Yemen.

SRINGERI
Sringeri, 90 kms west of Chickmagalur town on the banks of river Tunga, is a city with epic associations. The place is said to have been named after Rishyashringa who figures in the Ramayana as the chief priest at the great sacrifice of King Dasharadha. Widely known for the Jagadguru Shankaracharya Mata of the Adwaitha school of philosophy. Sringeri also has an ancient temple of Vidyashankara. Constructed on a picturesque spot parallel to the river Tunga, the temple is a fine example of artistic transition from Hoysala to Vijayanagara style. Built around 1357 A.D., the imposing granite structure encloses friezes of elephants, lions, pouranic scenes, dancers in various poses etc. and figures big and small of various Hindu gods enshrined in niches with ornamental towers. The garbha - griha has a linga called Vidyashankara installed in the memory of Guru Vidyatheertha. To the north of this temple is a more recent temple built by skilled craftsmen of the 20 the century and houses the highly venerated Sharadamba image. The new temple is built in the Dravidian style. A small 14 th century temple of Janardhana close by is attributed to the Vijayanagara period. Sringeri also has an old Jain Basadi dedicated to parshwanatha Theerthankara.

MULLAINGIRI
To the north of Chikmagalur town is the Baba-Budan Range or Chandra Drona Parvatha as it was known in olden times, which has one of the highest mountain peaks between the Himalayas and the Nilgiris. The loftiest point of the range is Mullaiyanagiri which is 1,926 meters above sea level. The three large caves here said to have been sanctified by 3 siddhas contain their icons and ‘gaddiges’ (tombs) . The enthralling scenery around makes this a much frequented pilgrim center.

KEMMANGUNDI
55 kms north from Chickmagalur town on the Baba Budan range is the scenic hill station of Kemmannugundi called K.R hills, after the Wodeyar king Krishnaraja Wodeyar - IV who made it his favorite summer camp. Situated at a height of 1434 meters and surrounded by thick green forests. K.R Hills makes and ideal health resort. Beautifully laid out ornamental gardens, salubrious climate throughout the year and the panoramic view of mountains and valleys are just a few of the attractions. Kemmengundi Rajbhavan is also seen in the photo. Horticultural Department is maintaining the beautiful gardens here in the top of the hill station.

BALEHONNUR
45 kms. to the north-west of the Chickmagalur town is another celebrated pontifical seat of the district. Shrimad Jagadguru Rambhapuri Veerasimhasana Mahasamstana Peeta. This Veerashaiva matta with mythical connections to Ramba, celestial dancer, as also to the giant Rambasura, is one of the five great panchacharya mathas. The Veerabadra temple attached to the matha has sturdy metallic images of Veerabhadra and Bhadrakali.

BELAVADI
25 kms south - east of Chickmagalur town and just 10 kms from the Hoysala capital of Halebeedu is Belavadi, another place in the district with historical associations. This ancient village is dotted with temples and shrines, the most outstanding of them being veeranarayana temple - a fine specimen of Hoysala architecture.

SEETHALGIRI
One will reach the Seethal Giri on the way to Mullain Giri, which is the highest peak. Seethala Mallappana Kanive to the left side is said to have been hallowed by Sidha Seethalaya and contains a Matha and the dual shrine temple of Seethala-Mallikarjuna.

KALLATHAGIRI
This water fall is very near to the Kemmengundi hill resort where the water cascades down from a height of 122 meters amidst fascinating scenery. A legend associates this place with sage Agastya and the local temple in a gap between rocks, is attributed to the Vijayanagara times.

HORANADU
Set amidst enchanting natural scenery, Horanadu is 100 kms south-west of Chickmagalur and has an ancient temple of Annapoorneshwari which has been renovated recently. With the installation of the new image of Adi Shakthi, now the temple is called Adi-Shaktyatmaka Shri Annapoorneshwari. The place attracts lots of pilgrims who are provided free boarding and lodging by the temple.

KALASA
The old Agrahara settlement, 92 kms south - west of Chickmagalur and situated on the banks of the river Bhadra, is surrounded by lofty hills of the Western Ghats and is looked upon as one of the pancha-kshetras on the banks of the Bhadra.

Close by are the pancha theerthas, the five sacred ponds. On a small hillock here is the Kalaseshwara temple dedicated to Ishwara, with a Kshetrapala shrine of soap stone nearby. The Madhawacharya Bande, a large boulder at one of the theerthas here, is supposed to have been placed by Shri Madhawacharya the founder of the Dwaitha school of philosophy. A statue of this Acharya is carved on the upper portion of the rock.

HEBBE FALLS
Just 8 kms away from Kemmannugundi is hebbe water falls where water gushes down from a height of 168 meters in two stages.

AMRITHAPURA
67 kms north of Chickmagalur, Amrithapura is known for the splendid Amrithapura temple built in 1196 A.D by Amriteshwara Dandanayaka, a general of the Hoysala ruler Ballala II. Delicacy of touch, originality of design and fine features have made this temple one of the notable structures of the Hoysala period. 20 kms. to the west of Tarikere town is Somapura, another of the pancha-kshetras on the banks of river Bhadra.

AYYANKERE
18 kms north-east of Chikmagalur town, this ancient tank is believed to have been constructed by Rukmangada Raya a chief of Sakrepatna. Rennovated later in 1156 A.D. during the Hoysala times, This large tank situated at the eastern base of the Baba-Budan range provides irrigation facilities to about 1,560 hectares of land. On a hillock here is the Prasanna Balleshvara shrine with Hoysala sculptures of Ganapathi, Surya, Krishna, Ambika, etc.

BHADRA SANCTUARY
The district with dense tropical evergreen forests interspersed with lush grassy slopes is endowed with a rich and varied fauna, abundantly seen at the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, 38 kms north - west of Chickmagalur town. The sanctuary surrounded by hills has the tributaries of the Bhadra river flowing through it. The western border of the sanctuary abuts the back waters of the Bhadra Reservoir which has a catchment area of 1,968 kms. surrounded by scenic hills and steep slopes. A diverse and exciting range in wild life is found here - bison, elephants, tiger, panther, sambar, spotted deer, wild beer, porcupine, birds like the peacock, parrot, partridge, pigeon, etc. and reptiles such as cobra, python etc. All these wild beasts can be viewed while driving along the 150 km long roads maintained inside the sanctuary.

MARLE
12 kms from Chickmagalur town, Marle is another place of antiquity noted for its temples, chief amongst them being the Chennakeshava temple dating back to 1150 A.D.

ANGADI (MUDIGERE)
Angadi which means a market place or shop is 18 km south of Mudigere Town. This place has been identified as Sasakapura or Sosevur which was the original home of Hoyasalas who rose to great power in South India. The shrine here has pillars of granite with cylindrical shafts and hemi spherical mouldings. Three other ruined temples were dedicated to Keshava, Veerabhadra, and Mallikarjuna.

Kallathagiri Water Falls:
This water fall is very near to the Kemmengundi hill resort where the water cascades down from a height of 122 meters amidst fascinating scenery. A legend associates this place with sage Agastya and the local temple in a gap between rocks, is attributed to the Vijayanagara times.