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Younger Daughter's Town
The district takes its name from the head quarters town of Chikmaglur,
which literally means 'Younger Daughter's Town'.
It is said to have been given as a dowry to the younger daughter of
Rukmangada, the legendary chief of Sakrepatna. Another part of the town
bestowed on the elder daughter is known as the Hiremaglur.
But some old inscriptions reveal that these two places were known as
Kiriya-Magalu and Priya Magalu. Situated in a fertile valley south of the
Baba Budan Range in the head quarters town of the district, Chikmaglur is
a centre of education, trade and commerce.
The town enjoys a salubrious climate and has venerated monuments of all
religions such as Kondadarama Temple, a synthesis of Hoysala and Dravidian
styles of architecture, Jamia Mosque and the new St. Joseph's Cathedral
with an attractive shell-shaped portico.
Hiremaglur, which is now part of Chikmaglur town, has an Ishwara Temple
with a 1.22-m high curious rotund figure of Jademuni. The temple is
supposed to have been installed by king Janamejaya during his serpent
sacrifice.
PRIME ATTRACTIONS
Khandya:
43 kms to the north west of Chikmaglur town is one of the 'panchakshetras'
(five sacred places) situated on the banks of river Bhadra.
Inam
Dattatreya Peetha:
Situated on the Baba
Budan Giri is the Inam Dattatreya Peetha venerated by the Hindus and
the Muslims alike.
A laterite cave here is believed to have been sanctified by the residence
of Dattatreya Swami as well as Hazrat Dada Hayat Mir Khalander.
The worship here is conducted by a fakir and the annual 'jatra' or 'urs'
is attended by both Hindus and Muslims with great fervour.
Balehonnur:
45 kms to the north west of Chikmaglur is another celebrated pontifical
seat of the district, the Shrimad Jagadguru Rambhapuri Veersimhasana
Mahasamsthana Peetha.
This matha with mythical connections to Rambha, the celestial dancer as
also to the giant Rambhasura, is one of the five great 'panchacharya
mathas'.
The Veerabhadra Temple attached to the 'matha' has sturdy metallic images
of Veerbhadra and Bhadrakali.
Belavadi:
25 kms south east of Chikmaglur town and just 10 kms from the Hoysala
capital of Halebid is Belavadi, a place in the district with historical
associations.
This ancient village is dotted with temples and shrines, the most
outstanding being the Veeranarayan Temple, a fine specimen of
Hoysala
architecture.
Marle:
12 kms from Chikmaglur, Marle is a place of antiquity noted for its
temples, chief amongst them being the
Chennakesava
Temple dating back to 1150 AD.
EXCURSIONS
Sringeri:
90 kms north west of town, on the banks of river Tunga, is a city with
epic associations. The place has been named after Rishyashringa who
figures in the Ramayana as the chief priest at the great sacrifice of king
Dasharatha.
Widely known for the Jagadguru Shankaracharya Matha of the Adwaita School
of Philosophy, Sringeri also has an ancient temple of Vidyashankara.
Kemmannagundi:
55 kms north from Chikmaglur town on the Baba Budan Range is the scenic
hill station of Kemmannugundi called K.R.Hills.
Amrithapura:
67 kms north of Chikmaglur, Amrithapura is known for the splendid
Amriteshwar temple built in 1196 AD by Amriteshwar 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
Hoysala period.
Bhadra
Wildlife Sanctuary:
The district with dense tropical evergreen forests interspersed with lush
green grassy slopes is endowed with a rich and varied fauna abundantly
seen at the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary.
Kudremukh:
95 kms south west of Chikmaglur is the secluded hill station of Kudremukh.
Situated 1894 m above sea level, the hills overlook the Arabian Sea and
are chained to each other with deep valleys and precipices.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
HOW TO GET THERE
Air: The nearest airport is Mangalore
(170 kms).
Rail: Chikmaglur is connected to
Bangalore,
Hassan and Mangalore by train.
Road: The place is well connected by good motorable roads to the
neighbouring cities.
WHERE TO STAY
Hotel Taj Garden Retreat, K.M Road, Chikmaglur.
Naveen Lodge, Indira Gandhi Road.
Prakash Lodge, Indira Gandhi Road.
Quality Inn, Indira Gandhi Road.
Padanshree Lodge, Near Taluk Office.
Woodlands,Indira Gandhi Road.
Rajmahal, Indira Gandhi Road.
Vasantha Vihar Lodge, Rathanagiri Road.
Usha Lodge, Malladuru Road.
Click Here for Chikmagalur City
Map
Click Here for Road Map Of
Chikmagalur
Click Here for Railway
Network Map Of Chikmagalur