Bangaluru.org - "Kemmangundi" Hill Stations in Karnataka

Kemmangundi is a hill station in Tarikere taluk of Chikkamagaluru district in the state of Karnataka , India . It is located at a height of 1434m above sea level. This was the summer retreat of Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV and as a mark of respect to the king, it is also known as Sri Krishnarajendra Hill Station . Ringed by the Baba Budangiri Range and blessed with silver cascades, mountain streams, and lush vegetation, Kemmangundi's beautifully laid-out ornamental gardens and enchanting mountains and valleys views are a treat to the eye. 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 intricate jungle paths to explore.

Kemmangundi (or Kemmanagundi) derives its name from three Kannada words - Kempu (red), mannu (soil) and gundi (pit) and means a place with red soil.

Enchanted by the scenic and pleasant environment of the Baba Budan Hills , Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV was inspired to build his summer resort at Kemmangundi. He later donated this resort to the Government of Karnataka. The Horticultural Department of Karnataka now develops and maintains the resort and its surroundings.

Places to see

Raj Bhavan :-

Raj Bhavan is a guest house located in Kemmangundi and offers a spectacular view of the surrounding hills. The view of the sunset from Raj Bhavan is something to be cherished.

Z point :-

Z point is a vantage point at Kemmangundi and can be reached by a steep uphill trek of about 30 mins. from Raj Bhavan and is another favourite place of people who want to view a spectacular sunset.

Rose garden :-

Rose garden, as the name suggests is a garden of roses maintained by the Horticultural Department. Various varieties of roses are cultivated here.

Hebbe Falls :-

A downhill trek of about 8 km from Raj Bhavan takes one to Hebbe Falls where water streams down from a height of 168 meters in two stages to form Dodda Hebbe (Big Falls) and Chikka Hebbe (Small Falls).

Kallathi falls :-

Kallathi falls is about 10 km. from Kemmangundi. On the road from Kemmangundi to Tarikere , a deviation takes one to Kallathi falls . It is also known as Kallathigiri falls and Kalahasthi falls . Water cascades from a height of 122 metres and the temple here is attributed to times of the Vijayanagar empire. According to a local legend, this place is associated with the Hindu sage, Agastya .

Distance:-	295 km North West of Bangalore
By Road:-	Kemmangundi is about 53 km. by road from the district headquarters of Chikkamagaluru town. From the state headquarters of Bangalore , one can try the following routes to reach Kemmangundi: National Highway NH-206 till Tarikere and then taking a deviation to Kemmangundi via Lingadahalli (270 km) National Highway NH-206 till Kadur and then taking a deviation to Chikkamagaluru and from there to Kemmangundi (300 km) National Highway NH-48 till Hassan and then taking the Hassan - Belur - Chikkamagaluru - Kemmangundi road (330 km) Each one of the above routes offers a scenic drive through the mountain roads of Chikkamagaluru district and should be explored.
By Rail:-	Nearest Railway Station is Tarikere (35 km. away)
Route:-	NH4 to Nalamangala then NH48 to Hassan via Kunigal then state road to Kemmannagundi via Chikmagalur and the Baba Budanagiri Hills.
When to go:-	Just after the rains, from mid September to February.
Tourist offices:-	KSTDC(bookings and info) Badami House, NR Square, Bangalore Tel: 080-2275869, Fax: 2352626 Email: kstdc@vsnl.in
Where to stay :-	Nature Nirvana (Home Stay) No. 1353, Church Road, Next to Hotel Embassy, Chikmagalur - 577 101 Mobile: 9844042152 Tariff Range: Rs.3000/- to Rs. 6000/- The Taj Garden Retreat K M Road, Jyothinagar, Chikmagalur - 571 102 Tel: 08262-220202, 220404 Fax: 08262-220222 Email: tgrgm.chk@tajhotels.com Web site: www@tajhotels.com Tariff Range: Rs. 4500/- to Rs. 5200/- The Planters Court Hotel P. B. No. 109, K M Road, Chikmagalur - 577 101 Tel: 08262-235884 Fax: 08262-231169 Tariff Range: Rs. 412/- to Rs. 1237/- Hotel Mount Palace Indira Gandhi Road, Chikmagalur - 577 101 Tel: 08262-237050 Tariff Range: Rs. 300/- to Rs. 650/- Hotel Rajmahal Indira Gandhi Road, Chikmagalur - 577 101 Tel: 08262- 236451, 236452 Tariff Range: Rs. 350/- to Rs. 600/ Hotel Malnad Paradise Indira Gandhi Road, Chikmagalur - 577 101 Tel: 08262-234532, 232218 Tariff Range: Rs. 350/- to Rs. 450/- Woodlands Indira Gandhi Road, Chikmagalur - 577 101 Tel: 08262-235897 Tariff Range: Rs. 70/- to Rs. 450/- Soundarya Residency Indira Gandhi Road, Chikmagalur - 577 101 Tel: 08262-235257 Tariff Range: Rs. 140/- to Rs. 390/- Giri Lodge Indira Gandhi Road, Chikmagalur - 577 101 Tel: 08262- 235355 Tariff Range: Rs. 100/- to Rs. 300/ J P Lodge and Restaurant Opposite KSRTC Bus Stand, Kadur, Chikmagalur - 577 508 Tel: 08262-221433 Tariff Range: Rs. 150/- to Rs. 200/- Prakash Lodge Near Bus Stand Chikmagalur - 577 101 Tel: 08262-230583 Tariff: Rs. 80/- to Rs. 210/- Padmashree Lodge Narasinga Road, Chikmagalur - 577 101 Tel: 08262-230543 Tariff Range: Rs. 150/- to Rs. 200/ Usha Lodge Mallandur Road, Chikmagalur - 577 101 Tel: 08262-235704 Tariff: Rs. 60/- to Rs. 170/ Horticulture Department Guest Houses at Kemmangudi For reservations contact: Special Officer Krishnarajendra Hill Station, Kemmangundi Post, Tarikere Taluk, Chikmagalur - 577 101 Tel: 08262 - 235334 Director of Horticulture Lalbagh, Bangalore - 560 004 Tel: 080-26571925 Special Officer, Nandi Hills, Horticulture Department, Chikkaballapur - 562 101 Tel: 08156-278621 Director of Horticulture, Department Lalbagh, Bangalore - 560 004 Tel: 080 - 26571925 Tariff: Rs. 200/- to Rs. 300/- Hotel Valley View International Manipal, Udupi - 576 119 Tel: 0820-2572281 Fax: 0825-571327 Hotel Ashlesha Opposite Manipal Institute Of Technology, Manipal, Udupi - 576 119 Tel: 0820-2572824 Fax: 0820 - 2572824 Tariff Range: Rs. 300/- to Rs. 1000/- Hotel Green Park Manipal, Udupi - 576 119 Tel: 0820-2570561, 2570563 Fax: 0820-2571385 Tariff Range: Rs. 350/- to Rs. 800/- Hotel Lake View Alevoor, Manipal, Udupi - 576 119 Tel: 0820-2570100, 2572801 Tariff Range: Rs. 300/- to Rs. 600/- Janani Hotel Opposite Manipal Institute Of Technology Manipal, Udupi - 576 119 Tel: 0820-2570529 Fax: 0820-2570529 Tariff Range: Rs. 180/- to Rs. 550/- Hotel Bhavani Parkala Road, Manipal, Udupi - 576 119 Tel: 0820-2572057, 2571332 Fax: 0820-2572057 Tariff Range: Rs. 250/- to Rs. 500/- Hotel Shantala Boarding And Lodging Opposite Manipal Institute Of Technology, Manipal, Udupi - 576 119 Tel: 0820-2572920 Fax: 0820-2572920 Tariff: Rs. 300/- to Rs. 500/- Hotel Big Boss Manipal-Karkal Road, Iswarnagar, Manipal, Udupi - 576 119 Tel: 0820-2573215 Fax: 0820-2573216 Tariff Range: Rs. 150/- to Rs. 300/- Shivam Boarding And Lodging Karkala Road, Parkal Herge, Manipal, Udupi - 576 119 Tel: 0820-2544760 Tariff: Rs. 160/-