Kemmanagundi - A hillstation

At a height of 1434m above sea level near Chikmaglur is the picturesque hill station of Kemmangundi. Also called the KR Hill station Kemmangundi was the summer retreat of Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV. Nestled in the Baba Budangiri Range, blessed with cascading

waterfalls & mountain streams and lush vegetation Kemmangundi offer some enchanting mountain and valley views. The spectacular sunset view from the Raj Bhavan is a photographer's delight. For the adventurous at heart, Kemmangundi offers many peaks to scale and jungle paths to explore during your trip to Kemmanagundi.

Kalhatti Falls is a waterfalls flowing over the Veerabhadreshwara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. More of a pilgrim centre than a tourist spot in Kemmanagundi, Kalhatti Falls cascades from the top of the Chandra Drona Hill from a height of 45m to flow before the Veerabhadreshwara Temple.

Surrounded by dense forests and coffee plantations is the Hebbe Falls which gushes down a height of 250ft in two stages Dodda Hebbe and Chikka Hebbe falls. This is a highlight of the trip to Kemmanagundi.

On the way to the Raj Bhavan from the horticultural department's cottages a path leads to the Rock gardens, Zpoint and the Shanti falls. Though the rock gardens, maintained by the horticultural department and the shanti falls is not much to boast about Z point offers some panoramic views. There is a rose garden near the Raj Bhavan which is quite well laid out. The vantage points near the Raj Bhavan offers some spectacular views.

The 1895m high Baba Budan Giri takes its name from the Muslim saint Baba Budan, who took up residence here in the 17th century. Situated on the Baba Budan Giri is the Inam Dattatreya Peetha - A laterite cave believed to have been sanctified by the residence of Dattatreya Swami as well as Hazrath Dada Hayath Mir Kalandar.

The best season to visit Kemmanagundi is September to Feb. The road to Kemmanagundi is not the best for about 30 Kms however a trip to Kemmanagundi is worth the trouble.

Holiday in Hampi

The world's largest open air museum - Hampi is a place where past comes alive. Hampi was the capital of Vijayanagar Empire and its ruins have stood the ravages of man and time and still evoke memories of regal splendour. Whispering winds, magnificent ruins and traces of a bygone era all linger fresh here. Amidst a boulder strewn landscape along the banks of the Thungabhadra river, Hampi was one of the glittering showpeices of India's might in the 15th century and a major tourist destination in Karnataka today with the opulent palaces, temples, fortifications and elephant stables.

Amongst the many attractions in Hampi major ones are The Virupaksha Temple, Dedicated to Shiva and Pampadevi, the only temple here still in use. The temple with the nine storied gopuram towers over the structures of Hampi. The ceiling of the ranga mandapa is beautifully painted with stories of epic and puranas. Two ganesha images Sasuvekalu and kadalekalu can be seen on the Hemakuta hill.

Lakshminarasimha the man lion form of Vishnu on a serpant is an awesome monolitic structure which is near the Badavilinga a 3m high monolitic Shivling which stands permanently in water. The stepped water tank, Pushkarni was originally a part of the palace complex. The tiered structure crafted out of rectangular peices of granite is quite beautiful. The elephant stables is an imposing edifice with arched entrances and many domes that housed the state elephants.

Lotus mahal is a visually appealing structure with two levels, a open pavilion and an open balcony. The mahal derives its name from its beautifully arranged cusped arches that resembles the petals of a lotus. The Vijaya Vithala temple is the crowning glory of Hampi. With a magnificent stone chariot and an impressive rangamandapa with its 56 musical pillars that resound with musical chimes when struck.

The Hazara Rama temple, Mahanavami Dibba, and the queens bath are other structures worth a vist during your trip to Hampi.

Hampi from Bangalore is about 315 Km .