Chikkamagaluru district, Administrative district in Mysuru division, Karnataka, India
Chikkamagaluru is an administrative district in Karnataka's Mysuru division, located in the Western Ghats with rolling hills, thick forests, and two major rivers—the Tunga and Bhadra—that rise within its boundaries. The terrain transitions between high plateaus and river valleys, shaped by the monsoon climate and geological features of the mountain range.
The region served as the heartland of the Hoysala dynasty during medieval times, when their founder established power in the area. This early period of dynastic rule shaped the region's development and left marks still visible in local traditions today.
The name comes from Kannada and means 'town of the younger daughter', rooted in a local tale about a chief's daughter from centuries past. This story remains woven into how residents connect with their place today.
The district connects to other Karnataka cities through well-developed road networks, making travel manageable by car or bus. Accommodations range from small lodges near coffee estates to guesthouses in town centers, with options suitable for different seasons and preferences.
A Sufi saint named Baba Budan brought coffee beans from Arabia to these hills in the 17th century, planting them and creating an agricultural tradition that endures. The region became India's primary coffee-growing area because of this early introduction.
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