Waterfalls in Chikmagalur: A Mesmerizing Hill-Village Nestled in The Western Ghats

Welcome to the city of Chikmagalur. Situated in southern Karnataka, within the Cauvery Basin, is the district of Chikmagalur, home to the peaceful and scenic hill station of Chikmagalur. Renowned across the Indian peninsula for being the first Indian coffee plantation, this hilly hamlet rests at an elevation of 1090 meters from the ground and has deeps forests, tranquil yet animated waterfalls, quaint temples, and an interesting history to keep travelers hooked. The district is a mixture of flat lowlands and mountain regions.

The mountainous regions are divided into seven sub-districts also called ‘Taluks’. The district of Chikmagalur rests on the foot of the highest mountain range in Karnataka. The city’s famous mountain range is named after a 17^th Century Sufi mystic, who legend has it, was the first to smuggle coffee beans into India from the Port of Mocha in Yemen while on his way back from Hajj in 1670, by hiding seven beans in his beard. These beans he planted on the slopes of the Chandradrona hills in the Chikmagalur district of the then Kingdom of Mysore. The hills were hereafter called Baba Budangiri. His tomb is nearby.

This mountainous village fascinates diverse groups of people such as tourists, travelers, trekkers, pilgrims, academic researchers, and coffee-lovers because of the waterfalls of Chikmagalur and the glorious flora and fauna of the Muthodi and Bhadra forests. If you’re a bird watcher or an animal lover, this place has more for your palate than you might be able to handle. It is home to the holy as well with spiritual sanctuaries such as the monastery of Sringeri. Bring yourself and your love ones to the Coffee Land of India, Chikmagalur.

Best Waterfalls in Chikmagalur

• Hebbe Falls
• Jhari Falls
• Kalhatti Giri Falls
• Manikyadhara Falls

Hebbe Falls:

Located within a coffee estate at distance of ten kilometers from the nearest hill station Kemmangundi in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka, this waterfall plunges down from a height of 551 feet breaking into the Big falls (Doda Hebbe) and Small Falls (Chikka Hebbe). Hire a government approved forest jeep and drive through private coffee estates while trekking the final kilometer to reach the fall.

Jhari Falls:

Fondly known locally as the ‘Buttermilk Falls’ due the manner in which it flows (in a thin white layer over steep rocks), Jhari originates in the mountains. It is located in the Chikmagalur district near Mullayanagari and Baba Budangiri. These Falls lie two-hundred and sixty-seven kilometers from Bangalore and can be reached through rail via the Kadur Junction which is fifty-seven kilometers away. If you are travelling to the region by air, the nearest airport is Mangalore airport at around hundred and eighty kilometers from Jhari.

Kalhatti Giri Falls:

Also known as the Kalahasti Falls, this is a waterfall with a deep spiritual connection. It falls from the Chandra Drona Hills from a height of 122 meters above ground. It flows beside the Veerabhadreshwara Temple dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. Kemmangundi is ten kilometers from Kalhatti and the waterfall is enclosed by beautiful valleys and gardens. The temple was built during the reign of the Vijayanagara Empire and is said to have been the place where the Hindu Seer Agastya meditated. The temple hosts an annual fair during March to April over three days. This is a good time to visit both the water and this historic spiritual site.

Manikyadhara Falls:

The name of this waterfall literally means a ‘stream of pearls’ since the water sparkles when sunlight falls on it creating the appearance of streaming pearls. It is situated in the Baba Budangiri hills in the Chikmagalur district. It falls from a height of 30 feet. The shrine of Baba Budan is nearby and pilgrims visit it alongside the waterfall is itself is considered sacred. From the falls, one can view the Western Ghats, there are watchtowers and resting areas along the steps. You can also buy food and herbs from the stores nearby.

An Exciting Travel Affair in Every Season!

Let’s discuss the best time for sightseeing in Karnataka and how the three seasons favor a visit to the waterfalls of Chikmagalur.

An Adventurous Summer

For the purpose of a holiday, Chikmagalur can be endearing in different ways across the three seasons of summer, monsoon, and winter. Chikmagalur doesn’t get too hot during the summers, it has long days unfettered by humidity. That means more time to travel, eat, shop, and sightsee, especially if you want to visit any one of the several beautiful waterfalls of Chikmagalur. If you love river rafting, then the summer is a good time to enjoy this activity on the strong currents of the Bhadra river. If you’re into trekking instead then the clear skies will make following the Sheetala Giri – Baba Budan Giri Mullayanagari trail much easier. Trekking can be riskier in misty weather. Summer is the time for adventure at Chikmagalur.

A Fun and Inviting Monsoon

It is often said, that July is particularly favorable for a trip to Chikmagalur since the village becomes naturally more picturesque due to the light mist over the hills and clouds reaching low. Chikmagalur does not have aggressive rainfall which helps the cause of tourism in the region for that season. The greenery becomes more luscious while rivers and lakes swell. Please do visit the Yagachi Dam if water sports fit into your idea of fun. Apart from that, this is very good time to visit the splendid waterfalls of Chikmagalur such as Hebbe and Jhari.

A Calm and Spiritual Winter

Finally, winter brings its own delights to Chikmagalur. The footfall during this season is lower which makes this period rather peaceful. This is a great time to visit if you wish to quietly rest, recover, and unwind. There are fun things to do in winter too, at Chikmagalur like jeep and car rallies, agricultural, and spiritual festivals like Bhuta Kola during the month of December. During Bhuta Kola, the natives perform dramatic-rituals to invoke spirits, guardian deities, and ancestors. The performers though dancers are serious practitioners of spirituality. It is a unique experience to observe it. It is advised that tourist visit the Hebbe waterfall between the post monsoon seasons starting in September and the last lap of winter in January. The flow of the waterfall is in full during this period. If you wish to see Hebbe among the waterfalls of Chikmagalur, these five months are perfect for such an excursion.

Safety is paramount during one’s visit to a waterfall and the way to be safe is to exercise common sense. Common sense deems it necessary to be alert and focused near such a precious natural resource. There are some things to be careful about when visiting the different waterfalls in Chikmagalur:

1. Weather: The weather matters and it is strongly advised that the Hebbe Falls are not visit during monsoon. Between the months of June to August, heavy downpour makes the trek to the waterfall slippery while also increasing the waterfall.
2. Clothing: Proper attire along with comfortable and sturdy footwear is essential. Your clothes should be breathable and please carry an additional set in case you get wet. Sunscreens help protect against the UV damage that comes from the sun.
3. Hydration and Nutrition: Drinks lots of water and eat a nutritious meal to keep yourself active and alert in such a naturally sensitive area. The trip requires a reasonable amount of physical exertion.
4. Route Planning and Navigation: Plan your route carefully and stick to marked areas. Precise navigation is integral to successful waterfall trekking.
5. Carry a Camera but Keep it Away from the Water: Carrying a camera with you will be beneficial for capturing the sheer beauty of the falls. However, keep it and your cell phone away from the streams so as to avoid water damage.
6. Carry a First Aid kit: Please carry a first aid kit and try to travel in a group. Ensure that the group dynamics are good and there is open and frequent communication between group members. There should be at least a few people in a group capable of responding to an emergency effectively. The first aid kit should come in handy in such cases

Why the Waterfalls in Chikmagalur alone? Karnataka has so much more to offer!

Karnataka is a very popular destination in India with tourist footfall from all over the globe. Karnataka Tour Packages focus on the historical, the spiritual, the archaeological, and the scenic with visits to majestic temples, ruins of the erstwhile prominent cities of antiquity, serene lakes, coffee estates, and of course waterfalls. You also get to see major festivities such as the Mysore Dussehra also known locally Nada Habba. The state has a varied cuisine that can be enjoyed by vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike with local delicacies that have become famous all over such as Mysore Pak and Jolada rotti.