Sunday, September 4, 2011

Kemmannugundi, A perfect Hill station in Chikmagalur

       "Kemmannugundi", also known as Kemmanagundi is a hill station located in Tarikere Taluk of Chikkamagaluru District. It is located at a height of about 1500 mts above mean sea level. The name 'Kemmannugundi' is a combination of three Kannada words Kempu (Red), Mannu (Soil) and Gundi (Pit) and is attributed to the nature of soil available locally. The place is pristine and the monsoon rain only added to the beauty of this place. Kemmannugundi is an ideal weekend getaway from Bangalore . This was summer retreat for Mysore Wodeyar Kings .
Misty  Kemmannugundi
One of the peaks of Kemmannugundi
The Tall Vegetation of Kalhatti

   Places to visit:
1. Z-Point
2. Hebbe Falls
3. Kalhatti Falls
4. Shanti Falls - Falls encountered en route to Z-Point
Shanti Falls
An uniquely grown tree

5. Raj Bhavan - A guest house and gardens maintained by the department of Horticulture (Government of Karnataka).

Places to visit nearby : Mullayangiri, Dattapeetha (Bababudangiri), Mankihyadhara Falls, Chikkamagalaru, Amruthapura, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Hulikere, and many more.
Land of Tigers
Places of Interest in Chikkamagalaru

Directions from Bangalore:  Bangalore - NH4 - Tumkur - NH206 -Gubbi - Arsikere - Birur - Left Turn  - SH 57 - Lingadahalli - Ballavara - Kemmannugundi.

Curvy  Roads


 Distance from Bangalore: 240 km

   Stay/Accommodation :  There are a few home stays at Ballavara. Kemmannugundi is about 13 km from here on. There are two guest houses maintained by the Horticulture Dept. at Kemmannugundi and Kalhattigiri, currently being renovated. It is supposedly very difficult to get an accommodation during the peak season.  We are aware of one such, the Denton Home stay (Village in a Valley ) located close by to the Ballavara village. It comprises of a cottage, which can accommodate about 12-16 people. Hence, they rent out the cottage to one family/group at a time. Full privacy is ensured.  The  place is clean and well maintained. Price varies with season and also depends on the number of people.
Denton Home Stay
Guest House at  Kalhattigiri
Places to Eat:  Mostly, the home stays provide food on request and prior notice or is included in the package.  It is very rare to find a  hotel in Kemmannugundi. Cafe Coffee County is one of the few eat outs present in Ballavara. 
Cafe Coffee County
Peak Season: Last week of September - First week of January,  Last week of March - Second week of June, though our personal feeling  is to visit the place during monsoon.
Post Card From Kemmannugundi

13 comments:

  1. Its nostalgic seeing this post, it feels being in kemmangundi itself. the first image sets the tone perfectly for what to expect during the monsoons :)

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  2. What a lovely place and such marvelous captures! The beautiful, misty ones look so mysterious -- if you're a romantic or so like the monsoons if you're a realist! Love the waterfall! Your photos/post take us on a wonderful trip as always! Thank you for sharing!

    Sylvia

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  3. Nice place and well presented post. Pictures captured very nicely.. Liked it. Have been to Kemmanagundi but its been like 12 years now.. need to head there soon. Probably its the right time.

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  4. Driving in the rain with greenary soothing ones eyes is a delight. Photography can be tricky under mositure ridden atmosphere

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  5. Lucky you..! I envy..! Great post!

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  6. Lovely lovely....each and every shot is fabulous..

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  7. Mulyengiri is missing in this ...u need to add it

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  8. Very very scenic! Loved the first pic and the waterfall!! Rains do liven up the whole atmosphere and makes for some great photographs!!
    Have a nice day Dhiraj:)

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  9. Nice informative post.
    Good for weekend visit.

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  10. Thanks for posting about Kemmannnugundi...I was looking for a weekend getaway and I think this fits the bill perfectly.

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  11. The first photograph speaks like a story:)Loved it:)

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