The Baba Budangiri ridge runs north of Mullayanagiri, a rolling grassland of dark peaks and windswept slopes. At its heart is the cave shrine of the 11th-century Sufi saint Hazrat Dada Hayath Mir Khalandar, revered by both Muslim and Hindu pilgrims. The drive up passes the trailheads for the Galikere and Manikyadhara walks.
What to do here
- Visit the Dada Hayath cave shrine
- Walk out to Manikyadhara Falls
- See the grassland peaks of the ridge
- Learn the story of India's first coffee
Where the district's coffee story begins, and the most important shared pilgrimage site in the hills.
History
Coffee itself is said to have entered India here: the saint Baba Budan is believed to have carried seven coffee beans back from Yemen in the 17th century and planted them on these slopes, giving the range its name and India its first coffee.
Travel tips
About 30 km from town on a narrow ridge road shared with Mullayanagiri. The Datta Peetha cave shrine is the focus; the walk in from the parking area is short. Weekends and the annual urs are extremely crowded — go on a weekday.
Please note
Do: remove footwear before the cave shrine and dress conservatively — this is a site sacred to both Hindus and Muslims. Do: respect whichever observance is going on when you arrive. Don't: photograph inside the shrine without asking. Don't: bring alcohol or non-vegetarian food onto the hill. Don't: leave plastic; the cleaning here is done by volunteers.
Stay nearby
Places to stay around Baba Budangiri
PremiumTC Resort BND, Chikmagalur
Chikmagalur Town · 11.2 km from town
PremiumTC Resort TRV, Chikmagalur
Mullayanagiri · 12.5 km from town
PremiumTC Resort SLV, Chikmagalur
Chikmagalur Town · 9.9 km from town
PremiumTC Resort GLV, Chikmagalur
Chikmagalur Town · 4.4 km from town
Combine your trip
Places near Baba Budangiri
Kavikal Gandi Viewpoint
The horseshoe gorge on the Mullayanagiri–Baba Budangiri road — fifty steps up, and the whole range in front of you.
WaterfallJhari Falls (Buttermilk Falls)
A white sheet of water off a granite face
Seethalayyanagiri
The green shoulder below Mullayanagiri, with a Shiva shrine and a view over both valleys.
LakeHirekolale Lake
A mirror for the Mullayanagiri range