Kemmangundi

Kemmangundi, properly Kemmannugundi, a name meaning red soil pit, lies in Tarikere taluk of Chikkamagaluru district, at about 1,434 metres with a high point of 1,863 metres. It was the summer retreat of Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, who later gave it to the state, and it is also called Sri Krishnarajendra Hill Station. The horticulture department now runs it.

The Baba Budan range surrounds it with streams, waterfalls and thick vegetation. The Krishnarajendra botanical park, with its many roses and the Raj Bhavan guesthouse, is the centre. From there a steep 45-minute climb past Shanthi Falls leads to Z Point, a viewpoint. Hebbe Falls is about 8 kilometres away, and Kallathi Falls, 122 metres high with a temple from the Vijayanagara period linked to the sage Agastya, about 10 kilometres. Mullayanagiri and Baba Budangiri are also within reach.