Chasing the monsoons in Chikmagalur

This is the time of the year where I usually plan my monsoon trip. Being my birthday falling on a weekday, I decided to make use of the combined holidays before my birthday.

This three days’ journey to the rain kissed coffee plantations of Chikmagalur had become one of the most loved journey in my life.

Read further to know what made this place so close to my heart!

Day 1 - Trekking attempt to Mullayangiri peak, Kavilkandi viewpoint, Bababudangiri temple, Jhari falls, Mullayangiri peak

Trekking to Mullayangiri Peak
As we had read that the steps to Mullayangiri peak would be touristy, we decided to try the other lengthy way of trekking to Mullayangiri peak all by ourselves. We had asked the cab driver to drop us in the trek starting point.

Beginning Trek Trail

After we started trekking for few minutes, we realized that the route is going to be very slippery because of monsoon. We had to weigh the option of trekking at that situation. We finally decided to drop it and called our driver back to the trek starting point.

While waiting for our driver

Kavikalgandi View point – Not so known spot on your route to Bababudangiri, lies this view point. The best thing about this view point was that there was no one other than us.

This secluded view point, being easily missed by over sight, indeed made it a delight.

Stairways to heaven

Mist laden Meadow

Bababudangiri Temple - The temple is carved out inside a cave. And is quite popular among locals as well as tourists. The interesting fact about this temple is that the left side of the temple hosts Hindu deity and the right one hosts Muslim deity. 

Being in harmony with other religion is part of Indian culture right?(Forget about the recent political chaos) India!! Secular country for a reason!!

You might wonder who is this Bababudan?

Well he is the one who smuggled in from Yemen seven coffee seeds to plant it in his backyard.

Perhaps that backyard now turned out to be Bababudangiri hills,Chikmagalur(Wink!)

Temple inside Cave

Trekking to Jhari Falls

There is a clear path made amidst coffee plantations even for elders to walk.

We had taken a short cut trekking through the coffee plantations.

After a fifteen minutes’ walk from gate of the private property, there you go.

Jhari falls!

First Glimpse

We can’t stop envying the owner who has got this private property with the beautiful buttermilk falls.

This waterfall has got three tiers. There is a way from where u can climb to the first tier.

Beautiful isnt it?

Beware the water is terribly cold.

Should it stop you from getting drenched?After all, visiting a waterfall and not getting drenched is not so fair right? ;-)

On our way back from Jhari Falls

On our way back from Jhari falls, we pit stopped at a scenic place.
Look how beautiful it is!!

I took a Vlog here to document the beauty of this place.

Seriously I couldn't do justice to the beauty of the place in my Vlog too.

Mulayangiri peak

Though Mullayangiri peak was crowded, somehow the stairs to the temple attached to the peak and spine cold weather while climbing made us forget about the touristy atmosphere.

After Mullayangiri, we returned back to Chikmagalur in the evening.

Due to Vinayagar chathurthi, almost all the restaurants were closed by the time we reached Chikmagalur town to our dismay.

Finally Hotel Mangala Family restaurant which was about to put the shutter down, seeing us hungry, reopened to offer us food. We devoured the amazing food offered by them.

Here is a picture of Akki Roti(Rice Roti) served at the restaurant.

For the entire day, we got a cab for INR 1500 near private bus stand.

Few of the Artifacts sold in the roadside.

Day 2 - Kemmangudi, KR hills, Hebbe falls

Kemmangudi

After having breakfast near Chikmagalur bus stand, we headed to private bus stand to board our bus.

The cheapest way to reach Kemmangudi from Chikmagalur is to board bus to Lingadagalli from Chikmagalur(INR 30 per head) and then take an auto to Kemmangudi(INR 1100 roundtrip).

As far as we could see, there is no cab service in Lingadagalli. Bus from Lingadagalli to Kemmangudi was not frequent too.

If you want to have the comfort of car, hire it from Chikmagalur(INR 2500).

Kalahatti Falls – It is really crowded due to the temple attached to it. If you are someone, who don’t want to see the touristy side, you can skip this falls like we did.

KR Hills - Krishna Rajendran Hill!! True to the phrase 'Living Life king size', the king Krishna Rajendran lived to the phrase by owning a hill station for spending his summer holidays here.

Hebbe falls – After half an hour bumpy ride on the jeep, you would reach a point from where the trek starts to Hebbe Falls.

Beware of the leeches!

Yeah you heard it right!

There are small blood sucking leeches on your route to Hebbe falls. I was lucky enough to have escaped from those.

Ok! Don’t panic.
Pack a packet of salt and turmeric in your backpack. Problem solved!

Forget about the leeches, the scenery you trek through is so beautiful that you would completely lose yourself.
Few of the many picture perfect locations we trekked through.

You would be crossing three river streams. Almost all the route, we trekked with bare foot. Being monsoons, the way was very slippery at few points.

Open Sesame!

There comes the Gigantic Hebbe falls in its full flow.

We did a bit of rock climbing at the end to relish the water shower from the falls.

Day 3 - Chennekesava temple, Hoysaleshwara & Shantaleshwara temple, Kedareshwara temple, Jain temple

A peek into the glorious past of Hoysala architechture.

Chennekesava temple, Belur – From Chikmagalur, we checked out and headed to Belur-Chennekesava temple. Being Belur and Haleebedu on the route to Bangalore from Chikmagalur, we reserved it for the last day of the trip.

The temple was not much crowded in the morning. We stood there awe inspired looking at the intricate carvings of this masterpiece.

Look at the intricate carvings of Hoysala architecture!!

Oh the Perfect Symmetry!!

Marching elephants!!

We could only stand marvelling at the dedication of the people who worked day and night in making of this magnificent architectural prodigy during those days.

Hoysaleshwara & Shantaleshwara temple, Haleebedu

This single complex in Haleebedu houses two temples, shrines of Hoysaleshwara and Shantaleshwara with two monolithic Nandi statues.

With its intricate carvings, both the temples stood the test of time and held its full glory. A beautiful and well maintained temple complex makes the place even more surreal.

Being just right next to the bus stand, be prepared for a crowded atmosphere.

Kedareshwara temple, Haleebedu

Our next stop was to Kedareshwara temple.

It’s just 15 minutes' walk from Hoysaleshwara temple complex. Unlike Hoysaleshwara temple, Kedareshwara temple was quite offbeat. When we entered, we couldn’t see a single soul in the temple. Architecturally, Kedareshwara was equally appealing as Hoysaleshwara temple.

Jain Temple, Haleebedu

Jain Temple is just 5 minutes' walk from Kedareshwara Temple.

A well in the Jain Temple

After spending some quite time near the well, we decided to board the bus to Hassan from where we can get a direct bus to Bangalore.

Our three day’s trip looks something like this.

Feeling adventurous? Trek down to Jhari falls and Hebbe Falls.

Want to feel freezing cold? Climb up Mullayangiri.

Tired of concrete jungle? Lose yourself in the jungles of Kemmangudi.

Hungry? There you go savoring spicy Malnad food.

Peep into antiquity? There you go Hoysala temples in Belur and Halebeedu.

Wahh! Interesting mix isn't it? 

Adios Chikmagalur! See you soon with my love.

For me, Monsoons are always special for the tinge it adds to the greenery which u can never see in other seasons.

I can’t wait to embark on my next monsoon trail.

Is there any interesting monsoon trail u have been to? Do share ur recommendations in comment section.

Month of Trip - August
No of days - 3 days
Cost of Trip - INR 6000