Kemmangundi, Hill station in Karnataka, India.
Kemmangundi is a hill station set in the Baba Budan Giri Range at around 1,430 meters elevation, with mountain streams, waterfalls, and thick forest cover across its slopes. The area features botanical gardens, walking trails, and accommodation facilities that are maintained by the Karnataka Horticultural Department.
The hill station was established when Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, the ruler of Mysore, created it as his personal summer retreat in the early twentieth century. This royal initiative marked the beginning of its development as a mountain destination.
The name Kemmangundi comes from Kannada words meaning red soil pit, referring to the reddish earth visible across the hillside. Locals and visitors connect this simple description to the natural landscape they see when they arrive.
Wear proper footwear since many trails cross uneven ground and become slippery during rain. The best time to visit is between October and May when the weather is dry and cool.
The area has two notable waterfalls: Hebbe Falls drops about 168 meters in two stages, while Kallathi Falls descends about 122 meters and sits near an old Vijayanagar temple. These falls are natural focal points that show how water features and historical sites come together here.
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