Kemmanagundi wild ventures: A project open for joint development

It is a matter related to my neighborhood, conveyed to me by Jonathan Couture, who lives close to the north pole and owns the renowned entity Mulligore Production.

Live in Wild Resort

Kemmanagundi, the famous hill station known to people for its panoramic view of mountains, cascading water falls and lush greelen vegetation, is surely a great break for heavily crowded and congested city dwellers.

For the tourists heading towards Kemmanagundi along the road from Tarikere, the spot selected for 'Live in Wild Resort' is an attracion. They stop there for a while, quench their thirst with the perennial water flow available there and proceed further. Enough indication the said resort, when operational, will be the most popular in the vicinity.

Accessibility

'Live in Wild Resort' will be a reality on Sy #s 20 and 21, Thigada grama, Lingadahalli Hobli, Tarikere Taluk, Chickamagaluru District, Karnataka - India.

It is owned by K M Anees ul-Haq (# 47, 2nd Cross, Vivekananda Nagar, Bangalore-560033; Cell #: 09448473515), former senior officer, AIR and Doordarshan in the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India. He has wide experience in tourism industry (in the states of Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir besides the strategic Agra), study of history and eco-culture. The project comprising 30 huts has been approved by Karnataka State Tourism Department, in support of Eco-Tourism. Ten acres of land has been converted for the purpose. Estimated cost of the project is 15Crs. Those who intend to be in touch with this project are requested to call M M Dev on Cell #s 91-7259093200, 91-9620067800 or message their purpose of contact through an SMS or e-mail to drmmd.intimate@gmail.com

It will be 270km away from Bengaluru, 40km from Chickamagaluru, 32km from Tarikere, 30km from Birur, 120km from Kudremukh and will be situated on an altitude of 1434mts/4704ft above mean sea level.

Facts

Kemmanagundi has been the summer retreat of Krisnaraja Wodeyar-4, the Maharaja of erstwhile State of Mysore. It is also known as K R Hills, after the Wodeyar king. Now it is the summer resort for Governor of Karnataka, just 7km away from the proposed 'Live in Wild Resort'.

Quite peaceful, serene, nesting amidst lush green forest and Coffee plantations, it is sure to revive and rejuvinate individuals physically, mentally and spiritually. Ringed by the Baba Budangiri ranges, blessed with silver cascades, mountain streams, dense growth of trees and plants, Kemmanagundi's beautifully laid out ornamental gardens, enchanting mountains and valley views are a treat to the eye.

The spectacular sunset view from the Raj Bhavan is a photographer's delight. For youths adventurous at heart, Kemmanagundi offers many peaks to scale and intricate jungle paths to explore.

Hebbe Falls

A trek from Kemmanagundi along a steep and narrow path leads to sprightly twin-fall surrounded by dense forests as well as coco and coffee plantations. Said water waterfall rushing down to a depth of 250ft in two stages is fondly named as 'Hebbe Falls'. This location is just 18kms away from the proposed 'Live in Wild Resort'.

Baba Budangiri range

The 1985mts/6220ft high peak takes its name from the sufi saint Baba Budan, who brought coffee seeds from Arabia, sowed and lived here. Situated in the Baba Budangiri is the Inam Dattatreya Peetha, venerated by Muslims and Hindus alike. This shrine is 25kms away from the proposed 'Live in Wild Resort'.





Shanti Falls

This waterfall separates the proposed 'Live in Wild Resort' from forest. A five-kms trek in the jungle along the stream intoxicates the adventure.

Silent valley

You witness this natural wonder just down the proposed 'Live in Wild Resort'. Tourist at this spot, cannot even hear the sound of a big blast happening on road 200ft above. Tall trees and flow of the stream provide the magical effect.

Ballavara

Setting of this town directly resembles a typical town's description in R K Narayan's novel. Agriculture, main occupation of Ballavara, simply adds up to natural blending of the beautiful landscape.



Lingadahalli

Point of specific interest in this town is a Hoysala temple, that dates back prior to the world famous temples of Halebidu and Belur. Lingadahalli is 14kms away from the proposed 'Live in Wild Resort'.

Belur and Halebidu 

These two historic capitals of Hoysala are situated within a stretch of 65kms from the proposed 'Live in Wild Resort'. Belur, best known for Chennakeshava temple complex (Built in 1116 A C to commemorate Hoysala Visnuvardhana's victory over Cholas. Facade filled with intricate sculptures, freezed with no portion left blank, it took 103 years to construct this temple), could be reached after drive of 40kms. The gorgeous twin Shiva temple in Halebidu is equipped with two sanctum sanctoriums (one beside the other), a common platform and a common broad navaranga.

Bhadra reserve and river

Bhadra river is situated in the midst of western ghats, in the districts of Shimoga and Chickamagaluru in Karnataka. The reserve is surrounded by lofty hill range of Baba Budangiri, that includes peaks like Hebbagiri, Gaganagiri and Mullayyanagiri (6316ft above mean sea level, tallest in Karnataka). Bhadra dam is at Lakkavalli, is 40kms away from the proposed 'Live in Wild Resort'.

Main Flora: Reserve has identified 120 species. Important medicinal plants are in plenty. Sandal, Teak, Rose wood, Mathi, Honne, Nandi, Kindal etc are some of the other species.

Main Fauna: Tiger, leopard, elephant, Indian bison, sambar, barking deer, spotted deer, wild dog, wild bore, sloth bore etc.

Other must see places: Amruteshwara temple (40kms away), Ayyana kere (a vast lake, 70kms away) and Ratnagiri (a park in the forest, with climate known to refresh body and soul).