Baba Budangiri
Pilgrimage | 
Adventure / Trekking
#2 of 33 Places to Visit in Chikmagalur
Distance (From Chikmagalur): 36 Kms
Trip Duration (Including Travel): Half Day to Full Day
Transportation Options: Bus / Cab / Walk/Trek
Travel Tips: None
At a distance of 29 km from Kemmanagundi & 36 km from Chikmagalur, Baba Budangiri is a mountain in the Baba Budan range in Chikmagalur. Also known as Dattagiri & Chandra Drona Parvatha, it is one of the prime place to include in your Chikmagalur Tour Packages.
At an altitude of 1895 m, Baba Budangiri is one of the top places for trekking in Karnataka and among the best places to visit as part of 2 day trip from Bangalore. The mountain is named after the Muslim saint, Baba Budan who used to reside here. Baba Budan was a 17th-century Sufi saint who came to India from Saudi to spread the message of Islam and peace. According to legend, he introduced coffee to India by bringing beans from the port of Mocha, Yemen in 1670 AD. This place is also important for Hindus as Dattatreya Peetha. A cave here is believed to have been the residence of Sri Dattatreya Swamy. An annual Jatra or Urs, which is held for three days after the Holi Festival according to the Hindu calendar, is attended by both Hindus and Muslims.
The main peaks in this range are the Mulliyangiri and Baba Budangiri. Collectively, these peaks are known as Chandra Drona Mountain Range as they naturally form the shape of a crescent moon. Baba Budangiri is known for its distinct forest range and also one of the popular places to visit in Chikmagalur for hiking and trekking enthusiasts. There is a famous trekking trail between Mullayanagiri and Baba Budangiri. Adventure seekers can hike through the forest to visit the historic shrine of Deviramma Betta. In addition to this, the hills such as Sitalayana Giri provide scenic views of the surrounding mountain ranges. Unique mountain flowers called kurinji bloom in these hill ranges once every 12 years. The last time this spectacle happened was in 2018.
At a short distance from Budangiri hill are three popular waterfalls - Gada Theertha, Kamana Theertha, and Nellikayi Theertha. According to mythology, Gada Theertha was created by the Pandava prince Bhima with his Gada, to quench the thirst of his mother during their exile. Nellikayi Theertha is formed by the famous Manikya Dhara Waterfalls.
The best time to visit Baba Budhangiri is from September to Early March. Road access is also available till Budangiri peak.
Timings: 8 AM - 5 PM
