Chikkamagaluru Family Trip: Java Rain Resorts, Mullayanagiri, and Hoysaleswara Temple Highlights

This year, we started a new practice: mini vacations.
The idea is simple—rather than one long vacation (say, 10 days) each year, we’d take several short ones (around 3 days each). The hypothesis? They’d be easier to plan, lighter on the wallet, and just as refreshing.

We began with Mini Vacation To Shivjot Resorts in January.
This month (April 2025), it was Chikkamagaluru.
If Shivjot was about rest and refresh, Chikkamagaluru was about engage and experience.

We—my sister’s family, ours, and my dad—left from Bangalore in a mini-van. It takes about six hours to reach Chikkamagaluru with a breakfast and tea break along the way.

We checked into Java Rain Resort around 1 PM and went straight to lunch. The place is a 10-acre property nestled within a 30-acre coffee plantation—a luxurious, quiet getaway.

After a delicious lunch, I rested for a while, then played badminton with my son and niece. Later, I took a walk through the property.
Walking among rough terrain, birds chirping around, it felt like balm for the soul.

As is my habit, I walked thanking God for all the blessings in my life. I never forget—it’s all grace.

Born in a leaky hut, we once lost my brother to an illness because my parents didn’t have ₹50 for medical help. That memory never leaves me.

My sister and I are here today because of relentless hard work and God's favor—opening doors we couldn’t even imagine. So whenever I get the chance, I walk and give thanks in nature.

The walk and play built up hunger again. Time for buffet dinner.

We left early the next morning—around 5:15—to hike Mullayanagiri peak. We parked at the base and started the climb in the dark. We were the first ones there. The breeze was cool—not so cold that you needed layers.

We naturally split into three groups: my brother-in-law went ahead alone, I walked with my son and niece, and my wife, sister, and younger son formed the third. We weren’t far apart. We talked as we walked. It was fun—light conversation, quiet company.

Up and down in about an hour.

At the base, we had tea. The kids had noodles.

Next stop: Jhari Falls.

You park and take a local jeep to the falls. At first, I thought it was another forced ride like in Kashmir. But I was wrong.

The path is so narrow and bumpy, only someone experienced can drive there.
It felt like a natural rollercoaster.

The falls themselves weren’t breathtaking. I’ve seen better. But getting there? That was the experience.

There were only about 20 people around—some doing photoshoots—but it didn’t feel crowded.

We then drove to Baba Budangiri, cousin peak of Mullayanagiri.
Legend has it that Baba, a Sufi saint, brought coffee beans to the region.

There's a cave where a Muslim samadhi and Hindu temple sit side by side.

It was peaceful to see both communities sharing space.

We started a short climb to the peak from there. Only my niece and brother-in-law went all the way. The rest of us felt tired—or maybe just scared.

Watching my elder son hike up and down made me deeply happy.
Just last month, he was admitted to the emergency room.
And now here he was—fully recovered and taking on a tough climb.

By the time we got back, it was close to 10 AM.
Java Rain had told us their breakfast buffet closes by then. Initially, we planned to eat elsewhere. But seeing we’d return just in time, we called the resort and asked them to hold breakfast. They agreed.

All meals were buffet-style.
Their dessert spread was good—especially the caramel tart.

Later that day, we went swimming in the resort pool, but mostly relaxed in the villa.
I finished reading Psycho-Cybernetics, which I had half done earlier.

We left after breakfast the next morning.

On the way, we stopped at Girish Spices.
The ladies bought lots of local spices.

Then came Panduranga Coffee Shop—running since the 1940s.

We planned to visit the Coffee Museum too, but it was closed for the weekend. Too bad. I was really looking forward to it.

We visited Hoysaleswara Temple next.

Built over a century, it reminded me of the Sagrada church in Spain that is still under construction since 1882.

We hired a guide who told us the temple’s history and showed us carvings and sculptures. Mahabharata scenes. All Shiva avatars. So intricate.

I never tire of Indian architecture. The craftsmanship is extraordinary.

And today?
We can’t even build roads that survive a storm.
What happened to the pride in one's work?

We stopped for lunch at Hoselya Village Resort.
They serve excellent regional delicacies—Ragi Mudde, Akki Roti, and several sweet items. I ate so much, it took five hours for my glucose levels to normalize (yes, I was wearing a CGM sensor).

While we were eating, it poured.
We waited for the rain to subside, but eventually had to run to the van, drenched.
Halfway through the drive, the skies cleared again.

All in all, a different kind of experience.

Time to return to normal life.

My younger son also posted his experience. It reads much better than mine. You should read it.