The smell of coffee enticed me, as I inhaled the aroma up my nose and down the throat. It felt as good as having a real cuppa of coffee. Chikmagalur, better known as the birthplace of the first coffee cultivation, has its history back to a legend that a saint from Mecca brought some coffee seeds with him to Chikmagalur and thus became the first to cultivate coffee in India. My road journey started from Bengaluru airport; it took me nearly 5 hours (260 Km) to reach my destination. Nothing ruins an otherwise perfect holiday road trip like getting stuck in sprawling traffic jam, so I advise that you start early to dodge it.
Chikmagalur is surrounded by pristine gems of nature: Western Ghats, Wildlife sanctuary and forests and Cascading waterfalls. My abode for next few days was The Serai, a peaceful getaway amidst Western Ghats, ensconced on verdant hillocks and diverse coffee plantations. The rooms are spacious and aesthetically done, conflating nature and luxury with undulating Coffee plantation as your backyard. The resort is a treat for nature lovers, you can spot numerous birds and enhance your knowledge about diverse flora and the journey of a coffee bean to your cup. The resort offers many activities such as nature walks, Bird watching, Coffee tour, Cook with the Chef, and many. Enjoy the views of majestic trees, ferns and plantations, de-stress yourself with yoga or spa therapy and savor the sumptuous meals.
Ancient Temples of Chikmagalur
Chikmagalur has many hidden and less explored ancient temples of great architectural importance. If you are intrigued and passionate about the historical architectural brilliance of the craftsmen and sculptures of those days, then this will be an exhilarating experience. What enticed me over the freshly brewed coffee was the ancientness of Hoysala dynasty temple architecture in Belur and Halebidu. These twin cities, just 26 Km from Chikmagalur, are separated only by a short distance drive. They are one of the finest surviving masterpieces of Indian art and architecture and engineering. The stone carvings are not only intricate but showcase the epitome of craftsmanship of then sculptors. The heavily carved pillars, the temple ceilings are adorned with geometric patterns and foliate designs. The temple wall carvings depict the stories from Mahabharat, Ramayana and of other Hindu deities.
One such conspicuous work of art for me were the women figurines of Belur’s Chennakeshva temple. Displaying exaggerated attributes of femininity, these ornamental sculptures boast different poses such as dancing, self-grooming, playing instrument or a bird perched on hand under stylized tree. The figures displayed hairdos (Beadings as we know in modern times) and embellished with heavy jewelry. What amazed me was the sculptor’s imagination and creativity. It dated back to the 12th century and yet so retro futuristic (creative arts showing the influence of depictions of the future produced in an earlier era). It is indeed a treasure trove untouched by time. Here stones don’t just speak but sing.
Our past holds the key to future and if you take a plunge into the history, you will be astounded.
My land has so much hidden gems and history to unravel, I discovered my ancientness and my heritage, have you?
Let me know in the comments about your favorite ancient sites in India you explored or wish to explore.