Baba Budan Mountains
This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. |
Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts.Many units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.
Baba Budan Mountains
The highest range in Mysore State, lying between 13 23' and 13 35' N. and 75 37' and 75 52' E., in the middle of Kadur District. The form of the range is that of a crescent or horseshoe, with the opening north-west, hence its appropriate Hindu name Chandra Drona or 'crater of the moon.' The northern arm, beginning with the Hebbe hill (4,385 feet), stretches eastwards without interruption for about 1 5 miles, and then, bending southwards, presents to the east an unbroken wall of more than 20 miles. The southern arm is formed by the Basavan-gudda and Woddin-gudda ranges. The character of the chain is that of a stupendous ridge, whose elevation is 6,000 feet above sea-level, and in some parts only a few yards wide at the summit, rising at intervals into loftier peaks. The higher portions consist of steep grassy slopes, well wooded in the ravines, through which flow perennial springs. The sides are densely clothed with forests, among which are numerous coffee plantations, while the Jagar valley is one stretch of forest as far as the eye can see. The highest point is Mulainagiri (6,317 feet), towards the south of the range. Near m 2 to this, north-eastwards, is Baba-Budan-giri or Vayu-parvata (6,214 feet), on which are the sources of the Veda and Avati rivers. The hollow which succeeds marks the shrine of the eponymous saint Baba Budan.
The conspicuous conical peak on the outer verge of the eastern face is Deviramman-gudda, where a beacon is lighted at the Dlpavali festival. Near the north-east angle is Kalhatti-giri (6,155 feet), north of which a hot-season retreat has been established. These vast wilds and solitudes, with scareely a human habitation, were formerly well stocked with game, from the elephant and bison downwards. The advance of the coffee-planter has now forced back wild animals to the remoter and more secluded spots. The Baba-Budan-giri was the cradle of coffee cultivation in Southern India ; and the slopes of the entire range, as well as the tract south of the forest-bound Jagar valley, are now occupied by coffee gardens, both European and native. The first European garden was opened about 1840, to the south of Baba-Budan- giri. Two roads run along the eastern face of the mountains, one over the summit and the other at a lower level. About midway in the latter is Santaveri, chiefly a colony of Lambanis, whence there is a road to Kalhatti at the top. On the north-east of the mountains are the Abbe falls of 600 feet. The name Baba Budan is that of a Musalman saint who took up his abode on the hill so called, and reared coffee from seeds he obtained at Mocha when on pilgrimage, thus introducing that important staple into India. A cave said to contain his tomb is in charge of a Musalman fakir at Attigundi, the only village on the hills, and is visited by pilgrims of both creeds. Hindus claim that the tomb is the throne of Dattatreya, whose appearance at the mouth of this cave will herald the final avatar of Vishnu and usher in the millennium.
