Baba Budan Giri-Chikmagalur

Most Kannadigas are familiar with Baba Budan Giri, if not visited at least heard about it. Drive through western ghat will never disappoint you. Yeah, little tricky for the city folks. The lush greenery is a given throughout the year in this dense stretch. It was around 27 KM from Hirekolale Lake. Summer sun endlessly tried to cast its harsh rays through the thick canopy in vain. Searing summer heat turned into mild breeze as we ascended under the thick blanket of trees.

One among the two peaks in the Chandradrona mountain range, Baba Budan giri is at a height of 1895 m (6217 feet) from sea level. Baba Budan giri is well-known for a shrine of Sufi saint Hazrat Dada Hayat Khalandar, a pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Muslims. Some story says Baba Budan is the disciple of Dada Hayat. Baba Budan is the saint who introduced coffee plant to India by smuggling seven raw coffee beans from the Yemini port of Mocha by hiding those in his beard.

No surprise here. The place was over thronged with devotees. This is a small sanctum in the hilly cave, a perfect example of state's syncretic culture. The follower of both Muslim and Hindu community pay homage to darga and Dattatreya Peetha (final resting place of Sri Guru Dattatreya) respectively. Another belief is that Dada Hayat and Dattatreya are one and the same.

In the early to late 90s, Baba Budan darga became a communal hot spot. Yet, when we became part of the religious crowd of both communities in this very spot, we could see and feel only religious harmony, people co-existiing peacefully how they should be. The photography is prohibited inside the cave. And apart from that there is nothing much to click.

As the temperature started soaring we headed uphill towards the Manikyadhara Falls.

Best Season: October-February
Best Time: Early morning or evening
Distance from Chikmagalur Town: 33 KM