Miles and Trails: Kemmangundi

After a late lunch in Tarikere, we proceeded towards our last destination of the day, Kemmangundi. Road to this illustrious hill station is all about potholes, cracks, and pits. We even wondered if this is the "Gundi" of Kemmangundi. Key to survive these kind of routes is to have abundance of patience. Passing through dense forests, we could hear chirping birds and twittering crickets. As we ascend the hill, temperature dropped dramatically. Blazing sun was playing hide and seek in the lush greenery. We always make up our mind to experience beautiful things despite the pathetic state of road.

Potholed Road

Kemmangundi offers many attractions like Sri Krishnarajendra Hill Station, Baba Budan Giri, Mullayanagiri, Hebbe falls, Kallathi falls, Honnamma falls, Shanti falls, Manikya Dhare. We zeroed down on Sri Krishnarajendra Hill Station. Kemmangundi was the summer retreat of Mysore King, Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV (1884-1940). After owning this place for nearly a decade, he donated the land to Karnataka Government.

Legend: Kemmangundi was famed as "Chandra Drona Parvatha". It is believed that strong water current passing through countless herbs and medicinal plants has the healing power to cure diseases especially the skin ailments.

"The Beauty of nature is holy

Like Shiva’s shrine,

Come to these lovely hills

Which fill you with spring’s sunshine"

This is what Rashtrakavi Kuvempu penned down when he first visited Kemmangundi. Derivation of Kempu(red), mannu (soil), and gundi(pit) forms the name Kemmangundi, the land of red soil. Nested in Western Ghats Kemmangundi is 1434 meters above the sea level.

We commented sarcastically about the road condition to the guy who collects parking fee, though not sure he understands it. Beautiful rose garden welcomed us, which is maintained by the Horticulture Department of Karnataka. The landscape was in and around the Raj Bhavan. We are told the Raj Bhavan had been the prime location for many movies and serials as well. View from here offers picturesque mountains, valleys, lush greenery. Though we could imagine the gorgeous sunset, sadly unable to witness the same.

Rose Garden

Raj Bhavan

We clambered up the hill a little to get the panoramic view. Breezy wind blowing in our hair, calmness in heart, natural beauty stretched far and wide in front of eyes, we could only make a promise to visit this Queen of hills again.