Anand Mahindra’s weekend getaway is a 5-hour drive from Bengaluru, with a 350-year-old mystery

 

Anand Mahindra’s weekend getaway is a 5-hour drive from Bengaluru, with a 350-year-old mystery

Business tycoon Anand Mahindra is known for having a keen eye for under-explored tourist spots in India. Taking to X on Sunday, the Mahindra Group Chairman shared a breathtakingly beautiful snapshot of a stunning rainforest nestled somewhere in the Chikkamagaluru district of Karnataka.

Sharing the picture, the billionaire wrote, “Finding mystery in unexpected places…”. He added a nugget of information - this is the birthplace of Indian coffee. Coffee bushes were reportedly planted at this very spot in 1670 by Baba Budan, a wandering Sufi mystic who brought coffee beans from Yemen.

The snapshot showed the rainforest in all its majestic beauty and untainted greenery.

Netizens React

Responding to the post, one X user revealed that he was from this district and the best time to visit Chikkamagaluru was during the monsoon.

Another user pointed out that sometimes, such places should remain under-explored, as overexposure has its pitfalls. “Corporate companies should stay away from spoiling this beauty in the name of extraction of resources, which is nothing but exploitation,” wrote the commenter.

About Chikkamagaluru

Chikmagalur, often spelled Chikkamagaluru, is a scenic district nestled in the state of Karnataka, India. This region holds historical significance as the birthplace of coffee cultivation in the country. The majestic Chikmagalur Hills, forming part of the renowned Western Ghats, give rise to significant rivers like the Tunga and Bhadra. Situated within this district is Mullayanagiri, the loftiest peak in Karnataka, drawing trekkers and nature lovers alike.

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Chikmagalur is celebrated as a prominent travel destination, boasting attractions such as Kemmannugundi and Kudremukh, along with breathtaking waterfalls like Manikyadhara, Hebbe, and Kallathigiri. The district also has a deep-rooted cultural and architectural heritage, notably reflected in the splendid Hoysala-era temple located in Amruthapura. Wildlife aficionados are particularly drawn to Kudremukh National Park and the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, which provide sanctuary to diverse flora and fauna.

The district has historical connections to the early years of the Hoysala dynasty. According to legend, in a place once known as Sussevar, now identified as Angadi in the Mudigere taluk, the dynasty's founder, Sala, achieved a mythical feat by slaying a fabled beast. This act led to the creation of the Hoysala emblem, a motif that would symbolize the ruling lineage.

One of the most distinguished rulers of the Hoysala Empire, Veera Ballala II, who reigned between 1173 and 1220 CE, is credited with constructing the grand Amriteshwara Temple in Amruthapura, located in the present-day Tarikere Taluk. This temple remains an architectural marvel, showcasing intricate craftsmanship from the Hoysala period.

The introduction of coffee to India is deeply intertwined with the history of Chikmagalur.

The district is believed to be the first place where coffee was cultivated in the country, dating back to the year 1670. Historical accounts suggest that the revered saint Baba Budan played a crucial role in this. During his pilgrimage to Mecca, he passed through the Yemeni port of Mocha, where he encountered coffee.

Enthralled by its unique flavor, he secretly carried seven coffee beans by wrapping them around his waist to avoid detection by Arab traders, who fiercely guarded their monopoly on coffee cultivation. Upon returning to India, Baba Budan sowed these seeds in the lush hills of Chikmagalur, thus laying the foundation for the country's thriving coffee industry. Today, this region continues to be one of India’s premier coffee-growing hubs, attracting both enthusiasts and researchers fascinated by its rich legacy.