Winter Greens - Outbound Training Programs, Cottages, Tourist Spots


Kemmanagundi: 55 km north from Chikmagalur town is Kemmangundi, a scenic hill station on the Baba Budan range of hills. Kemmangundi is also known as K.R. Hills after Wodeyar King, Krishnaraja Wodeyar who had made it his favourite summer camp. Kemmangundi, at a height of 1,434 meters, is surrounded by thick forests and a salubrious climate through out the year. It is surrounded by the Baba Budangiri range and blessed with silver cascades of mountain streams and lush vegetation. Its beautifully laid out ornamental gardens and enchanting mountain and valley views are a treat to the eye. Spectacular sunsets are a must see from various locations in the district, even from the Raj Bhavan. For the adventurous, Kemmangundi offers many peaks to scale and intricate jungle paths to explore. This place has a beautiful rose garden along with many other attractions. There is a place called Z-point at about 10 minutes walk from this main place which gives a nice ariel view of the Shola grass lands of the Western Ghats.


Kallathigiri Falls: Just 10 km away from Kemmangundi is Kallahathigiri falls, also known as Kalahasti falls. Water cascades down from the top of the Chandra Drona hill from a height of 122 meters amidst fascinating scenery. There is an old Veerabhadra temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, constructed in a gap between rocks. This temple can be approached after crossing the waterfall.

Kudremukh: 95 km southwest of Chikmagalur town is Kudremukh (horse face) range, so named because of the unique shape of the Kudremukh peak. Overlooking the Arabian sea, the broad hills are chained to one another with deep valley & steep precipices. Situated at 1,894.3 meters above sea level, Kudremukh is rich in iron ore deposits. The Kudremukh Iron Ore Company conducts mining operations, benefaction and transportation of the ore as slurry through pipelines to the post at Panambar near Mangalore.

Mullayanagiri: Mullayanagiri is part of the Baba Budan Giri Hill Ranges here. It stands 1930 meters and is the tallest peak in Karnataka. It is 6000 plus feet height is famous mostly to watch sunsets. Its breathtaking beauty leaves one enchanted. It is 6km from Chikmagalur town. Driving to Mullayanagiri is worth taking a risk. On the way is Sitalayanagiri where the water in the Siva temple neither increases nor decreases.The road to Mullayanagiri is very narrow with a views from steep cliffs. Driving to the peak is not possible and includes a trek up the hill from the half way point. There is a small temple on top of the hill. From the topmost point of the hill the Arabian seais visible on clear days. The small hillock in the temple compound is the highest point in Karnataka. The narrow road to the temple makes two way traffic immpossible. It is a great trekking spot in Karnataka.


Sringeri: 90 km west of Chikmagalur town is Sringeri situated on the banks of Tunga, a Vedic Peetha established by Sri Adi Shankara, the exponent of the Advaita philosophy in 9th Century A.D. It is famous for Vidyashankara Temple originally constructed by the Hoysalas and later completed by the founders of the Vijayanagar Empire and Sharada temple, an early 20th. century addition. In the Vidya Shankara shrine, there are 12 zodiac pillars, which are so constructed that the rays of the sun fall on the pillar corresponding to the month.

Horanadu: Horanadu is 100 km southwest of Chikmagalur and has an ancient temple of Annapoorneshwari, which has been renovated recently. With the installation of the new image of Adi Shakti, 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.

Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary: Occupies 495 sq. km. of wildlife sanctuary and Project tiger reserve.

Hebbe Falls: This beautiful waterfall is 10+ km away from the famous hill station Kemmangundi. This waterfall is inside coffee estate can either be reached by walk or by automobile. Here water streams down from a height of 168 meters in two stages to form Dodda Hebbe (Big Falls) and Chikka Hebbe (Small Falls).

Kalasa: Kalasa is 92 km southwest of Chikmagalur 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 in dedicated to Ishwara, with a Kshetrapala shrine of soap stone in Hoysala style 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 Dvaita school of philosophy. A statue of this acharya is carved on the upper portion of the rock.

Guru Dattatreya Bababudanswamy Darga: Situated on the Baba Bugan 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 fervors.

Amrithapura: 67 km north of Chikmagalur, Amrithapura is known for the Amritheshwara temple built in 1196 A.D by Amriteshwara Dandanayaka, a general of the Hoysala ruler Veera Ballala II. Delicacy of touch, originality of design and fine features have made this temple one of the notable structures of the Hoysala period.

Baba Budan Range: To the north of Chikmagalur town is the Baba Budan Range or Chandra Drona Parvatha as it was known in the ancient times, which has one of the highest mountain peaks between the Himalayas and the Nilgiris. The peak takes its name from the Muslim saint, Baba Budan, who resided here more than 150 years ago. Manikyandhara is water falls near the famous pilgrim centre Baba Budangiri Dattatreya Peetha where water spills down like small balls giving the visitors a memorable shower bath.

Belur and Halebid: The twin temple towns of Belur and Halebid for a glimpse of Hindu temple art at its glorious best. In the 16th century, Belur-Halebid (both towns are spoken of in the same breath) were at the heart of the throbbing Hoysala empire. The Hoysalas were huge patrons of art and architecture and built massive temples that have survived the ravages of time. Some of the sculptures are so exotic, erotic and eloquent - that you expect them to speak or move.About 16 km away from Belur is Halebid, the other temple town, equally magnificent but not as well preserved. Halebid was the capital of the Hoysalas till it was destroyed in the early 14th century after attacks by the Delhi Sultanate. The Hoysaleshwara temple survived the pillage but it somehow managed to remain incomplete even after 87 years of uninterrupted construction. The temple is dedicated to Shiva and has two enormous Nandi bulls at the entrance.

Shravanabelagola:An ancient Jain pilgrimage centre is situated about 95 kms from Mysore, 157 kms from Bangalore and 52 kms from Hassan. It is nesltled between the Indragiri and Chandragiri Hills. The Mauryan Emperor Chandragupta Maurya retired to Shravanabelagola along with Bhadrabahu, a disciple of Lord Mahavira around 300 B.C to become a Jain ascetic, after handing over his kingdom to his son Bindusara. Thus, Jainism became popular in Karnataka during that period.