Kemmanagundi

 

Kemmanagundi is a hill station located in the district of Chikmagalur in the Baba Budan range of Karnataka. This was the summer retreat of Krishnaraja Vodeyar IV and as a mark of respect to the kind it is also popularly known by the name of KR Hills (Sri Krishna Rajendra Hills). The station is ringed by the Baba Budan Giri Range, with cascades, mountain streams and lush vegetation. The region is covered with plantations of coffee and tea along with thick bamboo groves forming a dense forest cover. There is a spectacular sunset view from the Raj Bhavan.

 

 

 

Kemmanagundi is 260 km from Bangalore, 225 km from Mangalore (the closest airport), and 55 km from Chikmaglur. Trains halt at Tarakere or Birur junction, the nearest rail head. State Transport buses come to Kemmanagundi from Bangalore, but the most convenient way to get here is to drive.

 

Kemmanangundi is a great place to get away to at any time of the year - summer, winter and even the monsoons, a season that can be quite spectacular, with waterfalls gushing over and the trees on the hills wearing a sparkly rain-washed look.

In Kemmanagudi the temperature never rises above 28ºC. Summer is peak tourist season, while the crowds thin during the monsoons, making it a great time to be here.

Places to See :-

 

Z - Point : A steep uphill trek leads to the Z point, a spectacular vantage spot at Kemmangundi. Breathtaking, serene views of the sunset from this hilltop, is the best way to unwind at the end of a tiring trek to the top!
Z-point also offers a nice ariel view of the distant Shola grasslands in the undulated Western ghats. 

 

Hebbe Falls : Hebbe Falls is one of the prime attractions of Kemmanagundi. Gushing down from a height of 168 meters, it is split half way on a rock face into what is called Dodda(big) Hebbe & Chikka(small) Hebbe. A relaxing picnic spot, the falls is known to have medicinal properties & hence taking a bath here is popular among locals & tourists alike. These waters are said to cure common cold & skin diseases.

 

Shanti Falls : Shanti Falls is situated around 2 km away from the Z Point. The beautiful Shola Grassland is situated near the falls, in the Western Ghats.

 

Rock Garden : Perched on the peaks of Kemmanagundi, the Rock garden has well laid out pathways carved out of rock. Home to a variety of flowers, the garden is also famous for its spectacular sun set views amid the verdant green mountains & plains. The Bhadra Reservoir at the far end can also be viewed from certain vantage points in the garden. So, coming here in the evening closer to sun set time would be ideal to soak in the beauty of the garden, the views & a breathtaking sunset - marking a perfect end to your day.

 

Kalhatti Falls : The Kalhatti Falls, also known as Kallathigiri falls and Kalahasthi falls, Cascading from a height of 122 m is yet another imposing waterfall in Kemmanagundi. An ancient temple built between gaps in the rocks is assumed to be built in the period of Vijayanagar empire. According to many locals and folk legends, the famous Hindu saint Agasthya is associated with this place.

 

 

Roopkund – The Mysterious Lake

 

 

Roopkund situated in the state of Uttarakhand is at an altitude of 5000mtrs. It is known as mysterious lake because of Human Skeletons found on the edge of the lake. It is beleived that these skeletons are of the heroes who had fought here in the earlier times. The report says that these skeletons belong to 12th century to 15 century. The skeletons were re-discovered in 1942 by H K Madhwal, Ranger in Nanda Devi Reserve.

In 2004 a team of Scientists visited the area to gain more information about the skeletons. After research they found there was a group of short people and tall people who were closely related to each other. Almost 500 skeletons were found and it is beleived that an equal number of skeletong perished due to natural environment.

Becaus of the cold and icy weather condition the skeletons dint decay off or decompose into the soil. The bodies that fell into the lake had a greater shelf life as compared to the onves which remained int he open. Though its still not clear if this group of poeple lived here or if they were heading towards a destination.

Roopkund treak is an adventurous journey which passes through many beautiful forests and lush green grassy land. It is a picturesque destination and a delight for a nature lover or a photographer. The trekking begins from Wan and leads you to one of the finest grasslands Bedni Bugyal, where you would find amny grazing lands for horses, sheep and mules. It is full of charming green meadow adorned with flowers in a spell binding varieties, in full bloom. There is a small lake situated in the midst of the meadow and you will find many temples and waterfalls along the way.

How to Reach there :-

From Delhi to Kathgodam : Take Ranikhet Express that leaves at 10.40 PM and reached kathgodam at 6 AM
or take bus from Anand Vihar ISBT to Haldwani or Kathgodam.
From Kathgodam to WAN : By Taxi the route to WAN is via Almora - Gwaldam - Tharali - Debal - Mundoli - Lohajung - WAN (Rs. 5000)

Alternate route: From Rishikesh/Haridwar hire a cab to WAN. The route would be through Devprayag - Srinagar - Rudraprayag - Karanprayag - turn right to Tharali - Debal - Mundoli - Lohajung.

By bus(Economic option): From Rishikesh take early morning bus to Karanprayag. From Karanprayag take any bus/shared jeep to Tharali (any bus/jeep to gwaldam will go via tharali). It is 2 hrs from karanprayag. From Tharali take another shared jeet to Debal and take another shared jeep WAN

There is a direct bus from Rishikesh private bus stand that goes to Mundoli/Lohajung. It leaves Rishikesh at 4 am. Alternatively there is a direct bus from Delhi to Mundoli/Lohajung. It leaves Delhi Anand Vihar terminal at 9.15 pm, arrives at Kathgodam at 4 am and reaches Lohajung at 5.30 in the evening.

Chamba - The Dominion of Clouds

 

 

About 50 km from Mussoorie, the small hill town of Chamba, Uttaranchal, is another of those destinations yet unknown to most tourists and therefore unspoilt and fresh like a daisy for the lucky few who venture out seeking new places to explore and enjoy. Chamba is situated at an altitude of 1600m above sea level. There are pleasant forests of pine and deodar trees, with some good views. Unlike Mussoorie, this place is fairly quiet and picturesque, hence an excellent place to relax and wash off the city blues. One can reach Chamba in about 7-8 hrs from Delhi via Hardwar, Rishikesh and Narendranagar (290 km). One can also combine a stay at Chamba with a visit to Mussoorie or Dhanolti and reach via Dehradun, Mussoorie and Dhanolti.

 

One of the best thing about Chamba is that there is no set list of where to go and what to do . When you are in this small little town, all you have to do is nothing and enjoy the beauty around and take a walk and breathe in all that fresh air and the smell of pine and deodar trees.

 

Chamba is a re-energizing pastoral haven for all the city people. A perfect place to reclaim our harmony lost within many fold. It is reassuring as well. That we are never far if only we could reach out and let the nature in its intact immaculate self take over our mundane city existence. The savor of it when the bounty of mother earth bestows its manifold surprises is sublime. And it’s never too late to draw on the sun shine, to be cradled on the misty clouds, to be ensnared by the sheer pristine environs. I remember a writer – read Hugh Prather – once said that …

 

“if I had only

forgotten future greatness

and looked at the green things

and the buildings and reached out to those around me

and smelled the air and ignored the forms and self styled obligations

and heard the rain on the roof

…and it’s not too late”

 

You will find richness of birds and butterflies, and profusion of quietude. As Simon & Garfunkel would have loved to get inspired again“because a vision softly creeping; left’s its seed while I was sleeping; and the vision that was planted in my brain, still remains; within the sounds of silence.” Chamba will stick with you even as you come back to the hustle and bustle of your everyday existence. But it will not haunt you. It will stay with you as the reminder of a haven which is lingering by waiting in silence and anticipation, to once again greet you in its gentle soothing embrace.

 

When to go : the best times are between March and June and October to December. The views are best in April  and November

 

Getting There : Air : Nearest airport : Dehradun (81 Km/3Hrs) Taxi to Chamba via Mussoorie costs about Rs. 3000 for a drop

Rail : Nearest railhead : Haridwar (84 Km/3 Hrs) Best Option to Mussoorie Express (Dep. Old Delhi 10.20 PM, Arr. Haridwar 5.52 AM) Best option from Dehradun Shatabdi (Dep : Haridwar 6:13 PM, arr: New Delhi 10:45 PM). Taxi to chamba costs Rs. 2000 for drop

 

Car via Meerut, Roorkee, Haridwar and Rishikesh. The hill roads are good though very narrow in parts

Bus : Night buses to Tehri (hop off at Chamba) leave from Kashmere Gate

 

Where to Stay : The only real option for a stay is the 4 Star Classic Hilltop Resort (Tel : 01376-255252, 255836; Tariff : Rs. 4500 - 7500) located in 7 acres of verdure.