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Chikkamagaluru District

Chikkamagaluru District with its administrative headquarters in Chikkamagaluru town is located in the Indian state of Karnataka. Situated in the southwestern part of Karnataka surrounded by Bababudangiri hills and dense forests, it was the place where coffee was first cultivated. It is a rural district covered with lofty peaks and the birthplace of a number of rivers. They are : the Bhadra, Tunga, Hemavati, Netravathi and Vedavati. Mullainagiri is the highest peak in Karnataka is 12 Km. away from Chikkamagaluru. The district is laced with Shimoga district in the north, Udupi district in the west Chitradurga and Tumkur districts in the east and Hassan district in the south.

Chikkamagaluru district gets its name from its headquarters of Chikkamagaluru, KarnatakaChikkamagaluru .which literally means `the town of the younger daughter`. History records that the Hoysala rulers ruled this place.

Coffee berriesAgriculture is the primary occupation of the people and sustains the economy of the district. Black, red and gravel soil cover the district and the major crops grown here are rice, ragi, black gram, red gram, oil seeds like groundnut, sunflower, castor and commercial crops like pepper, sugarcane, tobacco and cashew nuts. The district is famous for the cultivation of coffee.

The district has an average performance with regards to industrial activities. One of the major iron ore companies in Asia is located at Kudremukh and is the only large-scale industry in the district. The district has two Industrial Estates ;one located near Chikkamagaluru town and the other near Birur in Kadur Taluka.

According to the 2001 census report, Chikkamagaluru has a total population of 1139104 out of which 654275 are males and 564829 are females. While 19% of the total population is the urban population, 81% of the population resides in the rural area. The literacy rate of the district is 72.63%, which is higher than the national standard, which is 59.5%. Male literacy rate is 80.68% and that of the female is 64.47%. There are 1620 primary schools and 235 secondary schools and 46 colleges offering higher secondary education according to 2001 report. There are 13-degree colleges and some good engineering colleges. There is no medical college in the district, which offers allopathic medical education.

Chikkamagaluru district is well known for its temples built by the ancient rulers of this place. Kodandarama Temple combines Hoysala and Dravidian styles of architecture. There is also a Parashuram Temple and a Kali shrine. A cave associated with Nirvanaswami is situated 44 km northeast of Chikkamagaluru. It is visited by scores of pilgrims. The Belavadi town is famous for the temple of Veeranarayana. Amritheshwara temple in Amritapura, 67 Km. north of Chikkamagaluru also reflects the Hoysala style of architecture. Suggi habba is a famous harvest festival.

The Kudremukh National Park and the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary are other places of attraction in the district. The scenic beauty of the district with sparkling streams, lofty peaks and cascading waterfalls is a real treat for the eyes. The Kemmangudi hill station here remains cool even during the summers and is worth visiting. Mullayanagiri peak is the tallest peak in Karnataka and is famous for watching sunsets. The Kallathigiri Falls, Hebbe Falls, the Kadambi Falls and the Shanti falls are some of waterfalls, which attract a lot of visitors.