Kemmanagundi was the chosen summer retreat of Maharajah Krishnaraja Wodeyar VI and hence it is still known as K.R.Hills. The place with its beautiful lush green hills, shola forests, waterfalls and meadows is really a royal getaway.
Kemmanagundi in Kannada means Red Mud Pit. The valley is covered with red mud contrasting with the green surrounding. It is situated in Tarikere, Chikkamagalur district at a height of 1,434 meters above sea level.
The Raj Bhavan was built by the wodeyars and is was donated by the king to Karnataka Government. The view from here is awesome. There is a beautiful garden maintained around Raj Bhavan by the horticulture department. The flowers bright in different hues seem happy and well adapted to the weather.
Viewing the sun setting in the horizon from Raj Bhavan is fantastic.
A kilometer away from Raj Bhavan is a nursery, again maintained by the horticulture department is worth a visit by gardening enthusiasts. Various ferns, orchids, anthuriums, begonias, fuschia plants vie with one another to get maximum attention.
A 45 minutes uphill trek from Raj Bhavan is a view point known as Z-point from where you can have bird eye view of the forests and meadows of Western Ghats.
Photographers make sure you have enough battery charge as you have ample photography opportunities.
Many trekking paths from here lead to beautiful waterfalls and places, where the only sound you hear is your footsteps, birds chirping or the flow of water. The air is pure and your lungs can take a break from pollution.
One such trekking path is known as Horse way, as the Maharaja used to take this path riding a horse during sunset and sun rise.
Ideal time to visit is from September to May. Other places of interest around Kemmanagundi are: Hebbe Falls, Shanti Falls, Kalathagiri Waterfalls, Bhadra Wild life Sanctuary, Baba Budan Giri Hills, Manikyadhara, Mullayyanagiri and Seethalayyanagiri.
Place Statistics:
Type of Place: Hill Station
Situated: Chikkamagalur, Karnataka
Distance: 260 km from Bangalore, 55 km from Chikmagalur, 36 Km from Birur, 30 Km from Tarikere, 165 Km from Mysore
Transport: Well connected by road, the nearest rail head is Tarikere
Facilities: Resorts, Rest Rooms, Guest houses are available
