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.