Back of the blog - Coffee Corner, Kottigehara

Back of the blog. Here we will share tit-bits and snippets on India Travel which may be useful for a traveller in India. It may be some new information about the place, a new cuisine one can explore, a bit of history, a funny anecdote or a good travel book. Anything connected to Travel in India. 

We are coffee aficionados. Give us good coffee and we love every sip of it. The pity is one does not get good coffee everywhere. What do you do when you are on a road trip but want to stop for a cup of coffee?

You have an excellent place to stop over if you are driving in Western Ghats between Chikmagalur to Mangalore.  It is "Coffee Corner". We tasted it first when it had just opened. That was three years back. Coffee was fresh and typical South Indian filter type. Ever since, we stop at this place whenever we travel on this road.

We were driving on the same road few months back and stopped over again. It was raining cats and dogs and a good cup of freshly brewed coffee was all that we needed to get energised.

We were not disappointed. The coffee was as good as we had years back. 

You will not miss this spot. This place is between Mudigere and Kottigehara before Banakal if you are coming from Mudigere. The signage is prominent. 

Stop over next time when you are driving on this road for a refreshing cup of coffee. 

Sun Rise in Mullayanagiri, Chikmagalur

This must be in last week of March last year. 

We planned to go to Bekal for the weekend. Since it was a long drive to Bekal, why not leave on Friday evening, spend the night in Thotadahalli Home stay at the foothills, watch sun rise in Mullayangiri and then proceed? The plan was workable and we were in Thotadahalli for Dinner on Friday. A sumptuous dinner and good sleep ensured that we were raring to go early in the morning to watch sun rise over Mullayanagiri.

Thotadahalli is at foothills and it took us 15 Minutes to reach the summit. Another ten minutes of climbing the steps took us to the vantage point. It was chilly on top and slightly windy. It was a quiet morning with some birds chirping. There was another car with a couple and a van with a large family who looked well educated. We had to stop them blaring Bollywood music from the van to maintain the serene atmosphere in the morning. It is sad to see people want to create noise wherever they go and can't enjoy silence even for a minute.

The sun started showing up in the distant horizon. The onset of his rise was greeted by brilliant colors in the sky. The horizon was clear and it was not misty. We saw a fabulous sunrise. As the sun came up, there was a shadow play in the hills which looked beautiful too. Take a look at these pictures. 

Sun....coming up slowly 

Notice the colour of the sky....

A closer look through the zoom

The Shadow play over the hills 

The last stretch of narrow road to summit

This is the right time to enjoy the sun rise on Mullayanagiri. The last two KMs is a drive through narrow road and one has to be really careful. If you are not confident, please park it below and walk up. You won't regret it. 

The sun rise over the hills or sea are always spectacular. When you are seeing it on top of the tallest peak in Karnataka, you will cherish it forever. 

Go for it when you travel to Chikmagalur next time.

For more details on Mullayanagiri and Chikmagalur, please take a look at the following related posts

Chikmagalur - A monsoon drive through western Ghats

Monsoon drive in Malnad

Driving Holidays from Bangalore - Magical Malnad

Did you like this post? If yes, please do share with your friends by clicking on the share buttons. If you need help in planning a trip to Chikmagalur/Mullayanagiri, you are welcome to write @ poorna62@gmail.com. 

Chikmagalur - A monsoon drive in Western Ghats!

Last week we were in Chikmagalur. 

The idea was to do nothing but go for drives in the western ghats. If you are a driving freak like us, nothing can be more pleasurable than driving in monsoon in these mountains when nature is at its best. It is green everywhere. The waterfalls which are invisible in other months are at their glorious best. Driving on the foggy roads hugged by mountains and valleys is an experience in itself.

It was raining cats and dogs in Chikmagalur. Our drive to Mullayanagiri was an adventure. The fog was so high we could hardly see any thing. Whenever the fog cleared a bit, we could see the valley. Driving carefully and hoping that visibility does not deteriorate, we reached the summit. It was too windy and rainy. It was as if we were inside a cloud. 

Coming down from the summit, we headed towards Kemmanagundi. This was a fantastic drive except for the last fifteen KMs when the road turns bad. Cars with low ground clearance should take a U turn and return back at this point.

Driving a Scorpio helped. Join us as we take you through the drive!!

Like the adage "A picture is worth a thousand words", these pictures will paint a lovely journey.

Mist clad valleys

Water falls, water falls everywhere!

Driving on the foggy road

Fog cleared and rain drenched road

........Foggy again

The Gopura of the Shiva temple at the foot hill of Mullayanagiri

Waterfalls again.....

Beautiful waterfall on the way to Kemmanagundi - Shot in different angles and shutter speed

The road condition is fantastic making drive a pleasure

Water cascading with full force

The water fall seen above plunges from a great height. It is not accessible but can be seen from a distance

Green meadows

Fog clears and we get a glimpse of valley

Foggy road again

From here, the road condition to Kemmanagundi deteriorate

Lovely meadows on the way to Habbe Falls

The view of Mullayanagiri ranges when we drove from Lingadahalli on the way back from Kemmanagundi

These are few videos we shot of the drives

a) Monsoon drive - 1

b) Monsoon Drive - 2

c) Monsoon drive - 3

d) Monsoon drive - 4

Travel Tips

Getting there

By Road - There are plenty of buses by state run Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation to Chikmagalur from different parts of the state. If you are driving by car, it is at a distance of 240 KMs from Bangalore. The road condition is very good and driving time will be 5.30 hours with a break.

By Train - There is no direct train to Chikmagalur. The nearest rail-head is Kadur on Bangalore - Mumbai line. All important trains stop here. Kadur is 35 KMs from Chikmagalur and there are plenty of buses and taxis from here to Chikmagalur

By Air - The nearest airport is Mangalore which is at a distance of 200 KMs.

Stay options

The best way to enjoy Chikmagalur and Malnad is to stay in many home stays in the region. Since most of the home-stays are in Coffee estates, it will give you an opportunity to experience estate life as well. If you are a "resort type" of person, then there are resorts as well.

Resorts & their websites

• The Serai -  The Serai
• Taj Gateway - Taj Chikmagalur
• Flameback Lodges - Flameback

Home Stays & their websites

• Thotadahalli Homestay - Thotadahalli
• Thippanahalli Homestay - Thippanahalli
• Balur estate by Linger - Linger @ Balur
• For other options look at this link - Home Stays In Chikmagalur

Lodges & their websites

Planters court - The Planters court

Other information

a) Chikmagalur is a driving enthusiast's dream. The hill roads, greenery, waterfalls, rivers makes this a real pleasure. Though monsoon drives are exhilarating, any season is good.

b) Minimum three days are required to explore Chikmagalur. Places not be missed (along with their web links) -

• Mullayanagiri - Mullayanagiri in Wiki
• Baba Budan Giri - Baba Budangiri in Wiki
• Kemmanagundi - Kemmangundi in Wiki
• Ayyanakere Lake - Ayyanakere
• World Heritage site of Belur - Belur
• World heritage site of Halebid - Halebid
• Hoysala temple Belavadi - Belavadi
• Bhadra tiger reserve / Muthodi wild life sanctuary - Bhadra
• Sringeri - Sringeri
• Horanadu - Horanadu
• Kudremukh Tiger reserve - Kudremukh

c) Try authentic "Malnad cuisine" served in the home-stays.

d) "Town canteen" in Chikmagalur town is famous for "Butter Masala Dosa". Don't miss it.

e) Driving up Mullayanagiri is only for experienced drivers. The last three KMs is very narrow and needs to be very careful.

f) MG Park in Chikmagalur town is a good place for kids. It has musical fountain which is operated in the evenings.

g) If you are a golf enthusiast, then try putting in Chikmagalur golf club. Check with the hotel or home stay personnel for more details.

h)  Winters are best for watching the sun rise and sun sets at Mullayanagiri.

i) Chikmagalur is also the base for many treks in western ghats. If you are a trekking enthusiast, check this link Trekking in Western Ghats

j) Carry a good Binoculars to enjoy the valley views from the hills and also for bird watching.

Glossary

Western Ghats - Mountain ranges in Peninsular India
Malnad - Mountainous region of Karnataka state
Hoysala - A medieval dynasty that ruled parts of South India
Masala Dosa - Indian pan cake made of rice and lentil with a stuffing of spicy potato and onion

Please visit the following related posts on Chikmagalur

a) Sunrise in Mullayanagiri

b) Halebid - Zenith of Hoysala Architecture!

c) Driving Holidays from Bangalore 2 - Magical Malnad

d) Alekan Falls

Did you like this post?  Do you need help in planning a trip to Chikmagalur? You are welcome to write at poorna62@gmail.com.

Happy to help.

Monsoon drive in Malnad - Chikmagalur, Agumbe, Tirthahalli

The rains had started in South India. This time, there was only one agenda. Just to drive in the rain in Malnad over the weekend. To enjoy the mist. To breathe the fresh air. To count countless water falls! As we drove along, we were spellbound by vast vistas of greenery. We could listen to lyrics written by nature. Words fail to describe the Magnificence of Malnad. We hope these pictures do some justice.

We started on Saturday and returned on Sunday afternoon (23 and 24 July). The route was

Bangalore - Mudigere (via Gendehalli) - Charmadi - Kalasa - Sringeri (via Bale Hole and Hirebylu) - Agumbe - Kundadri - Tirthahalli - Bangalore (via Shivamogga) (We had planned to go Kudremukh but had to cut it out as we were getting delayed)

We did this in five hours straight drive in Scorpio with a stop for five mins in Arsikere for refilling!!

What are you waiting for? Hitch hike with us and enjoy the ride!!

What a welcome!! Marigolds in full bloom near Belur

A precursor to what to expect in the journey as we crossed Kottige Hara and started moving

towards Charmadi - Overcast sky, Misty surroundings, water and green everywhere!! 

Suddenly, the mist cleared giving a nice view of the local school and of the kids who were playing in the rain!

It is fun time!

As we drove to Charmadi, it started raining heavily and the whole place was enveloped in mist.

The first sight of a stream when the mist cleared for seconds!

The valley full of mist!

Local bikers enjoying the rain!!

Rain drenched Charmadi in full glory. The Scorpio seems to like the surroundings!!

The mist playing hide and seek!

We now sight the first water falls - a small jumping stream - countless to come!!

Waterfalls, Water falls every where!! You will encounter one every 500 Meters!!

Waterfalls, Water falls every where!! You will encounter one every 500 Meters!!

Waterfalls, Water falls every where!! You will encounter one every 500 Meters!!

Waterfalls, Water falls everywhere!! You will encounter one every 500 Meters!!

The Beast and the mist!!

Mist clad Ghat road - Nature at its best

Some more!! Some were hidden in the mist..

Some more!! Some were hidden in the mist..

Like this beauty!!

Some more!! Some were hidden in the mist..

This was a real beauty. A tall one but hidden in the forest. We could not capture

the full beauty of falls - we tried different angles - unless we had trekked  Picture - 1

 Picture - 2

Wild flowers!!!

We did not do complete Charmadi and did only half of it.

Reluctantly, we took a U turn to go towards Kalasa

We were in for another treat immediately after Balur estate

The scenery after crossing the bridge on Bhadra river, Awesome!!

The Road to Kalasa has some great valley views, here is one!!

Bhadra is full roar - I

Valley views on the way to Sringeri -I

Valley views on the way to Sringeri -II

Bhadra is full roar forms a beautiful waterfalls

Some more water falls on the way.

These were some of the beautiful falls we had seen, falling in layers.

Valley views on the way to Sringeri -III

Valley views on the way to Sringeri -IV

Valley views on the way to Sringeri -V

This was the best of the lot!! It had height and volume

As we drove to Agumbe from Sringeri, we spotted this lovely pond

A hamlet - Typical of Malnad, amidst greenery

Picture taken on Agumbe - Tirthahalli road.

The thick black clouds in the horizon and the greenery makes it a fantastic setting!!

The paddy field near Agumbe was like a picture post card

Kundadri was a revelation. Everytime you go this place, you will come back awestruck.

The wind, the mist and the feeling of floating in the clouds!!

Take a look at these pics from the sky - virtually!! - Picture I

Picture - 2

Picture - 3

Picture - 4

The whole place was misty. Sun was playing hide and seek.

We had to wait for moments when the place down below got lit up to take these pictures

Like these bright moments!

Some more pictures from the top.

These wild flowers were eye candy!

As we left Tirthahalli, we crossed Tunga which was roaring to glory!

It was a refreshing drive in the rain, soaking ourselves in nature at its best. Go for it when it is raining. We came back refreshed and rejuvenated!! In every true sense. Now it is your turn!

Travel tips

a) Make Chikmagalur or Tirthahalli as base to explore Malnad. Good homestay options are available. Chikmagalur also has high end stay options in Taj group of Hotels and Serai by Coffee day.

For home stay options in Malnad Check out in http://www.travelmalnad.com/

b) Chikmagalur is 250 KMs from Bangalore and Tirthahalli is 330 KMs.

c) Excellent bus connections are available to both places. If you dont want to drive, then take a bus and hire a cab to explore locally.

d) Bangalore - Shimoga overnight train is another excellent option for Tirthahalli. Most homestays in Tirthahalli will arrange vehicle for pick up at railway station.

For a detailed itinerary for exploring Malnad in Monsoons, please click this link

Monsoon in Western Ghats - An Itinerary to experience it!

Glossary

Malnad - Western Ghats (mountainous) region in the Southern state of Karnataka in India

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