Chamarajnagar District

About Chamarajnagar District

Chamarajanagar is a district in southern Karnataka, India, bordering Erode District of Tamil Nadu and Wayanad District of Kerala. The district was created after the larger Mysore district was split into the new Mysore district and the current Chamrajnagar district.Being the southernmost district of Karnataka, Chamarajanagara district specifically, it borders Mysooru district of Karnataka to the west and north, Mandya and Bengalooru districts of Karnataka to the north-east, Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu to the east, Salem and Erode districts of Tamil Nadu to the south-east, Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu to the south and Wayanad district of Kerala to the south-west.

The District capital is the city of Chamarajanagar. The administrative units of districts in south India are known as taluks. The taluks of Chamarajanagar include Chamarajanagar taluk, Yelandur taluk, Kollegal taluk, and Gundalpet taluk. Many languages are spoken within the district. Kannada being the state language of Karnataka, is the main language in Chamarajanagar district. Tamil is a minor language within the district but of great importance in many areas within the district. Kollegal taluk has a great deal of Tamils, and was originally part of the Tamil Nadu state, in the Salem District.

Chamarajanagar is known for a good extent of forest land within its boundaries. Hence, it has a very high population of forest-dwelling tribals - Soligas, Jenu Kurubas, Betta Kurubas. Most of these tribes inhabit the forest of B R Hills, Malai-Mahadeswara Hills, and Bandipur National Park. All of these are protected areas. These tribals all have their own dialect, usually with a strong Tamil influence.

The district has its share of natural beauty. Local people and devotees revel in the beauty of the temples of the BR Hills, a wildlife sanctuary and the MM Hills. Since, much of the southern area of the district is dense forest, it provided good refuge to the notorious brigand Veerappan, responsible for the death of over a hundred policemen. He was shot dead in an encounter with the specially formed Special Task Force (STF) in mid 2004, at Dharmapuri District, Tamil Nadu. He had been on the run for several years.

There are many quarries in the district, all mining for the valuable black stone. Unfortunately, many of these quarries are today mining very close to or within the sanctuaries/protected areas and are posing a threat to the rich flora and fauna of this area.

Educational Institutions

Nursing Colleges in Chamrajnagar

• Goutham School of Nursing, Chamrajnagar
• Holy Cross School of Nursing, Chamrajnagar
• JSS School of Nursing, Chamrajnagar

Other Institutions

• JSS Arts Commerce & Science College
• Government Polytechnic
• JSS Arts Commerce & Science College
• Government Sdb PU College
• SG Edun Society PU College
• B Basavalingappa PU College
• Government Svk Girls PU College
• Karuna Trust Development Project

Culture

Sericulture is a tradiitional activity in the district. In terms of number of families engaged in rearing silk worms as also the area under mulberry crops, Chamarajanagar district occupies a prominent place.

Chamarajanagar, on the banks of the Cuvery River is a treasure trove of religious and cultural legacy. The legendary Malemahadeshwara Betta shrine accompanied by its annual car rally attracts flocks of tourists.

Tourist Attraction

Chamarajeshwara Temple : The biggest temple in Chamarajanagara, which was built during end of 19th Century. Temple resembles Nanjanagudu Srikanteswara temple and has a very big gopura.

Survarnavathi Reservoir is 16 km. from Chamarajanagar. Net Storage Capacity of the Dam is 1258.76 mft., length of overflow of dam - 160 ft. Top width of dam is 18 ft.

The Kanakagiri hill has been described by ancient historians and writers as Nakopama Shaila, meaning a hill in the form of a Heaven. Since ancient times Srikshretra kanagiri was one of popular Jain centres of the world. Kanakagiri situated near Maleyur in Chamarajanagar District was well known for its sandalwood and rich forestry around it.

BR Hills : Biligiri Rangana Betta (short form: BR Hills), refers to a cliff in the BR Hills range which is a North-South range in the Yelandur Taluk. It is famous for the Ranganathaswamy temple.: Apart from being a religious centre, BR Hills is also the location of the BR Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. It is spread over an area of 539.52 sq. km. Some of the important animals found here are tigers, sloth bears, elephants and gaurs.

**Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary (52 km):**Situated on the Mysore-Ooty, this wild life sanctuary adjoins the Mudhumalai sanctuary in Tamil Nadu and the Wayanad sanctuary in Kerala. Herds of bison spotted deer, Elephants and sambar can be seen here. Tigers and lepards can be spotted occasionally. Bandhipur has been brought under ‘Project tiger’ since 1974.

Biligirirangana Hills Wildlife Sanctuary (109 km):Located at a height of 5,091 ft., this beautiful sanctuary is a home to a variety of wildlife such as gaur, chithal, sambar bears, elephants, panthers, tigers and a wild varity of birdlife. The Soligas, a native tribe also live here. The temple of Bilgiri Rangaswami is situated on these on these Hills, at 1567 meters above sea level.

GS Betta : Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta (short form: GS Betta is a hill near the Bandipura Wildlife Sanctuary in the Gundlupete Taluk. It is famous for the Gopalaswamy temple which is atop the hill. Gopalaswamy is an incarnation of the Hindu God Krishna.

MM Hills : Malai Mahadeshwara Hills (short form: MM Hills), is an important Shaiva pilgrimage centre in the Kollegala Taluk. The yearly chariot festival (locally called ‘jatre’) at the MM Hills brings many devotees. The temple is situated within the MM Hills Reserve Forest, not very far from where the river Kaveri flows into Tamil Nadu.

Dodda Sampige Mara: Located 4 km from BR Hills, Dodda Sampige Mara is the location where a large Champaka tree, 34 mts in height and 20 mts of girth is present. Near its trunk, there are many Shiva Lingas (around 100) which are worshipped by the pilgrims who come here.

Bandipura : Bandipura is a well known National Park in the Gundlupete Taluk straddling the state’s border with Tamil Nadu. It is also a tiger reserve and part of the Project Tiger initiative. Apart from tiger, the other animals found here include gaur, elephant, leopard and wild dogs.

Hogenakal : Hogenakal is a famous waterfall where the river Kaveri cascades down a gorge to give a breathtaking view. It is in the Kollegala Taluk and right on the border between the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Dzogchen Monastery, Dhondenling Tibetan Settlement, Odeyarpalaya, Kollegal Taluk.A large monastery in the Nyingma Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism

**Kaveri Fishing Camp:**The river Kavari at Bhimeswari, abounds in a a varity of fish including the Carnatic Carp and the mahseer. This place is a protected area for thr fish, as the anglers are advised to release the fish, after catching them. the wild beauty of the river and the countryside, are sure to hook any tourist.

**Kollegal forest division:**The Kollegal forest division lies to the east of BRT Wild Life sanctuary. The other three sides are bounded by Cauvery Wild life Sanctuary, Sathyamangalam forest division and the Erode forest division. It is bounded by forests on all four sides. This makes it a virgin forest area.

Cauvery Wildlife sanctuary, Kanakapura:Cauvery wildlife sanctuary is situated about 100 kms south of Bangalore. The river Cauvery which traverses along the eastern boundary of the sanctuary gives the name to this sanctuary

Hogenakal Falls (also Hogenakkal Falls) in Kollegal Taluk.Hogenakal Falls is on the border between the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The name Hogenakal is derived from Kannada language, it means smoky rocks. “Hoge” means “smoke” and “kal” means “rocks”. When the water is falling on the rocks it looks as if smoke is emanating from the rocks because of the force of the water.

Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta. A hill in Bandipur National Park. There is a temple at the peak, and is well known for its wild life, including elephants.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation

• Jungle Lodges K Gudi Wildernes
• Ambuja Farms, Chamarajanagar
• KSTDC Mayura Prakruti

Links

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamarajanagar\_district
http://chamrajnagar.nic.in/distprofile/dtprof.html

Location info

Being the southernmost district of Karnataka, Chamarajanagar district borders the state of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Specifically, it borders Mysore district of Karnataka to the west and north, Mandya and Bangalore districts of Karnataka to the north-east, Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu to the east, Salem and Erode districts of Tamil Nadu to the south-east, Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu to the south and Wayanad district of Kerala to the south-west.

History of Chamarajnagar District

Chamarajanagar was earlier known as Arikottara. Chamaraja Wodeyar, the Wodeyar king of Mysooru was born here and hence this place was renamed after him. The Vijaya Parsvanath Basadi, a holy Jain shrine was constructed by Punisadandanayaka, the commander of the Hoysala king Gangaraja in the year 1117 A.D.

How to reach Chamarajnagar District

• Nearest Railway Station:Chamrajanagar is well connected by rail to all the major cities in the state and to other parts of the country.

• Nearest Airport:Bangalore International Airport

• **Road Transport:**Chamrajanagar is well connected by rail to all the major cities and states.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, BSNL, and Vi all provide coverage across Karnataka. 4G is reliable in Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Hubli, and along highways. Coverage may be weaker in deep forest areas of Bandipur, Nagarhole, and certain Western Ghats sections. Most hotels, resorts, and cafes in tourist areas offer free Wi-Fi.

Food & restaurants nearby

Food options are available in the nearest town. Karnataka cuisine ranges from coastal seafood to Udupi vegetarian to Coorg’s pandi curry. Dosa, idli, bisi bele bath, and filter coffee are iconic.

Climate & weather

Karnataka has a varied climate from the humid coast to the dry Deccan plateau and cool Western Ghats. The best time to visit is October to March, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 30°C depending on region. April–May is hot across most of the state (up to 38°C). The southwest monsoon (June–September) brings heavy rain to the coast and ghats but transforms the landscape — this is the best time for Jog Falls and Coorg’s lush greenery. Hill stations (Coorg, Chikmagalur) remain pleasant year-round. Bangalore has a moderate climate throughout.

Helpline & emergency contacts

Tourist Helpline: 1364 (toll-free, 24×7). Police: 112 (all-India emergency). Ambulance: 108. Women’s Helpline: 1091. Karnataka Police Tourist Helpline: 112.

Nearest petrol pump

Petrol pumps are available in the nearest town or on the approach road — check locally for the closest option.

Best time to visit Chamarajnagar District

October to March is the best time to explore cities in Karnataka — pleasant weather for sightseeing. November to February offers comfortable temperatures perfect for outdoor exploration. Summer (April-June) can be hot — plan outdoor activities for early morning or evening.

Timings & opening hours

City attractions have varying hours. Most shops and markets operate from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Temples and heritage sites typically open 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Malls and restaurants stay open until late.

Entry fee & tickets

Entry fees vary by attraction within the city. Most parks and public spaces are free. Museums: ₹20-₹100 for Indian nationals, ₹100-₹500 for foreign nationals. Heritage sites: nominal entry fee.

Duration needed

2-3 days is ideal to explore the main attractions of the city. A day trip can cover the highlights. Week-long stays allow for in-depth exploration including day trips to nearby attractions.

Safety tips

Karnataka’s cities are generally safe for tourists. Take standard precautions: keep valuables secure, avoid isolated areas after dark, use registered taxis or app-based cabs at night, and be aware of your surroundings in crowded areas.

Things to carry

Comfortable walking shoes, camera, water bottle, sunscreen, hat, city map or smartphone with navigation, power bank, light jacket for air-conditioned venues, and identification documents.

Nearby visiting places

Nearby attractions include other cities in the region, historical sites, temples, nature spots, and recreational areas within a day-trip distance.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

The city has its own railway station and bus stand. The nearest domestic/international airport connects to major cities. City buses, auto-rickshaws, app-based taxis, and rental cars are available for local transport.

Things to do at Chamarajnagar District

Explore the city’s heritage sites, museums, and markets. Visit temples, churches, or mosques. Enjoy local cuisine at restaurants and street food stalls. Shop for local handicrafts and specialities. Experience the city’s nightlife and cultural events. Take day trips to nearby attractions.

Things to visit & highlights

Historical landmarks and heritage buildings, museums and art galleries, shopping areas and markets, parks and gardens, religious sites, and cultural centres showcasing local art and performances.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best way to get around the city? Auto-rickshaws, app-based cabs (Uber/Ola), and city buses are available in most Karnataka cities. Walking is ideal for exploring compact city centres.

What local dishes should I try? Karnataka cities offer diverse cuisine — try dosa, idli, bisi bele bath, ragi mudde, and local seafood (in coastal cities). Don’t miss the famous filter coffee.

Is the city safe for solo travellers? Karnataka’s cities are generally safe. Take standard precautions: avoid isolated areas at night, use registered transport, and keep valuables secure.

Quick facts

• Type: Destination
• State: Karnataka
• Category: District Of

Photo gallery of Chamarajnagar District

Photos coming soon. In the meantime, you can find images of Chamarajnagar District on popular travel photography sites and social media.