Chikmagalur: Coffee, Landscapes and Culture

Chikmagalur combines a distinctive local history with landscapes and cultural discoveries. The name Chikkamagaluru literally means “city of the younger daughter” in Kannada and is made up of the words Chikka, Magala and Ooru. The surrounding area also offers different perspectives: west of the city are hills with coffee plantations and lower-lying rice fields. When planning your trip, you can therefore consider whether you would like to focus primarily on the area’s history, its landscape or the attractions of the wider Chikmagalur destination.

Local History and Excursions in the Surrounding Area

The name is a good starting point for seeing Chikmagalur not just as a base, but also as a place with a history of its own. Its three Kannada components together mean “city of the younger daughter”. Anyone interested in the origins of place names will find a tangible cultural connection here before exploring the other impressions the trip has to offer.

North of the city, on the route to Mullayyanagiri, lies Ratnagiri Bore – Mahatma Gandhi Park. It is considered particularly worth visiting for children and may therefore be an interesting option for families considering possible excursions. In the wider Chikmagalur destination, Ratnagiri Bore–Mahatma Gandhi Park also has a miniature railway. The landscape changes west of Chikmagalur: hills with coffee plantations and lower-lying rice fields can be found there. These differences can help you choose the focus of your trip according to your interests, without confusing the park with the hilly landscape.

Cultural Sites in the Wider Chikmagalur Destination

The cultural sites in the wider Chikmagalur destination also offer different ways to explore history and religion. The Ishwara Temple in Hiremagalur has a distinctive, rounded figure of Jademuni measuring 1.22 metres in height. A Yoopastambha is also located there, which, according to tradition, was erected by King Janamejaya during his snake sacrifice. The Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple in Hiremagalur is said to have been the first temple in South India dedicated to Rama.

Other religious sites offer a broad picture of the region. Bababudan Dargah, also known as Dattatreya Peetha, is a sacred site for Hindus and Muslims. In Chikkamagaluru, the Jamia Mosque is one of the revered religious monuments. The Kodandarama Temple in Chikkamagaluru combines Hoysala and Dravidian architectural styles. This allows you to distinguish between the different religious and architectural themes on your trip, rather than reducing them to a single attraction.

Coffee History and Getting There

Coffee history is another notable part of the wider Chikmagalur destination: the country’s first coffee was grown in Baba-Budan Giri in 1670 AD. The Coffee Museum is located behind the Zilla Panchayat Office and is open to tourists. The historical account and the opportunity to visit complement each other in different ways: the date points to the historical origins of coffee cultivation, while the museum is a place visitors can go.

For rail travel, Kadur is the nearest railway station to Chikkamagaluru. From Kadur, the onward journey by bus or taxi takes 45 minutes. When considering where to stay, you can weigh this part of the journey against the experiences that interest you most. A holiday rental in Chikmagalur is a suitable search option if you would like to focus your trip on the area; for cultural sites and landscapes in the wider destination, it is worth taking their individual locations and the journeys to them into account in your plans.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Balehonnur, Lakkavalli, Bagamane, Urubage, Hanbal, Ulluvagilu, Karadagodu, Magundi.

For the wider travel overview: Chikmagalur.