Plan your trip · Chikmagalur
What's on in Chikmagalur
Upcoming festivals, fairs and events in Chikmagalur — plan your visit around them, then check the best time to visit.
Nothing dated is confirmed for Chikmagalur right now, so here is the year instead — the fixtures that come round annually, and what each one means for a visit.
The year in Chikmagalur
Chikmagalur's calendar runs through most of the year, with the busiest weeks in the clear, comfortable months and a quieter stretch in the heaviest rain. Broadly, Oct – Mar is when visiting is most comfortable here, and that is when the calendar is busiest — which also means accommodation is most expensive and books furthest ahead.
Most of these follow lunar calendars and move by weeks from year to year, so treat the windows below as the season rather than the date, and confirm the year’s dates before you book around one.
Nationwide
Diwali
🗓️ October–NovemberThe biggest holiday of the year — lamps, sweets, fireworks and a week of visiting family. Cities are lit up and markets stay open late.
Holi
🗓️ MarchColoured powder and water, thrown at anyone within reach, mostly through the morning.
Navratri and Dussehra
🗓️ September–OctoberNine nights of fasting, music and dance, ending with Dussehra. What it looks like changes completely by region — garba in Gujarat, pandals in Bengal, processions in the south.
Eid al-Fitr
🗓️ shifts ~11 days earlier each yearThe end of Ramadan. The old quarters of Delhi, Hyderabad, Lucknow and Bhopal are at their best in the evenings through the preceding month, when food streets run past midnight.
Makar Sankranti and Pongal
🗓️ mid-JanuaryThe harvest turn, marked with kites in the west and north and four days of Pongal in Tamil Nadu.
Chikmagalur is a quiet town for most of the year, and its calendar follows the coffee estates as much as the festivals. The harvest runs through the winter months, and the coffee blossom comes with the first showers around March and April. The biggest local festival is Datta Jayanti in December, when devotees make a pilgrimage to the shrine at Baba Budangiri, often with heavy security and travel restrictions on the hill roads.
Dasara, Diwali and Ugadi are celebrated across the town, and Navaratri is a major festival at Sringeri, a few hours' drive away. Festival dates follow the Hindu calendar and move each year, so check the dates before you plan a trip around an event.
Tips for Attending Events & Festivals in Chikmagalur
- Check for travel advisories around Datta Jayanti, as access to Baba Budangiri may be restricted.
- Book stays early for Christmas, New Year and long weekends.
- Ask your homestay about coffee picking or blossom walks during those seasons.
- Carry warm layers for December festivals, as nights are cold.
- Dress modestly for temple festivals and processions.
- Expect traffic in town during processions.
Questions
Chikmagalur — FAQ
What are the main festivals in Chikmagalur?
The main local festival is Datta Jayanti in December, linked to the Baba Budangiri shrine. Dasara, Diwali and Ugadi are celebrated across the town, and Navaratri is a big festival at Sringeri.
When is Datta Jayanti in Chikmagalur?
Datta Jayanti falls on the full-moon day of the month of Margashira, usually in December. Celebrations in Chikmagalur build over several days before it.
Can tourists visit Baba Budangiri during Datta Jayanti?
Access can be limited. The district often issues travel advisories and restricts tourist vehicles on the hill roads around Datta Jayanti, so check before you go.
When can I see the coffee blossom in Chikmagalur?
The coffee blossom usually comes between February and April, a few days after the first showers. It lasts only a few days, so ask your homestay or estate for updates.