Shimoga

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Map of Shimoga, Karnataka

WATER FALLS & DAMS

Jog Falls : The most thrilling spectacle in the entire western region of Karnataka are the world famous Jog Falls.

Location : It is Situated on the borders of Shimoga and North Kanara , 100 Kms from shimoga city.

Whatz Special:  The wondrous sight is that of river Sharavathi taking a spectacular leap into the chasm from a height of 900 feet to from the highest waterfalls in India. The river Sharavathi hurtles in 4 distinct cascades. The first of these falls is known as the 'Raja' - the grandest, an unbroken sheet of water, the Raja plunges into the vapor shrouded poll 900 feet below. A few 100 feet way down, with a thunderous gush, Raja is joined by 'Roarer'. Leaping down with great speed in a series of cascades in the 'Rocket'. And gliding away in a feminine grace ,'Rani'. The effect is greatly heightened by the wild and beautiful region around which is covered with a wealth of luxuriant vegetation. The steps cut into rocks will lead you to the very depths of the fall and shower you with vaporous spray that bounces off these rocks.

Around Jog : There is also the splendid view of the Linganamakki dam, which is 1819 feet above sea level built across the river Sharavathi. This dam is the main feeder reservoir of the Mahatma Gandhi Hydroelectric project in Shimoga.

Transport : The place is well connected by rail and road from Shimoga city and number of government & private buses ply between Shimoga and Jog Falls.

Best season to visit : July-January

Accomodation : Hotel Mayura Gerusoppa (KSTDC), Jogfalls

Vanake-Abbey Falls : Most common name given to waterfalls around karnataka. Shimoga is also proud to have one falls called abbey falls. The falls are situated 4 Kms away from Agumbe, The sunset point in Thirthahalli Taluka. The falls are surrounded by lush green trees and natural beauty.

Achakanya Falls : 10 Kms from Thirthahalli on the way to Hosanagar near Aralsuruli you can find this eye catching water falls. The river Sharavathi takes a spectacular leap here to form this wonderfull falls.

Hidlamane Falls : This falls is situated near Nittur in Hosanagar Taluka. To reach the falls you have to trek the rocky hills surrounded by dense lush trees. Don't forget to carry your food stuff.

Tunga Anecut :10 Kms from Shimoga city on the way to Thirthahalli, you can find a place called Gajanur. The Tunga dam is situated here. A ideal picnic spot for the people around. Presently the dam is closed for general public as the dam height is being increased and construction work is going on.

B.R.P Dam : Located 28 Kms from Shimoga city near Kuvempu university. The dam is constructed across river bhadra and the height of the dam is 194 ft. There are a number of islands created by the Bhadra river and you can enjoy the boat ride around this islands.

Linganmakki Dam : 6 Kms from Jog falls this dam is constructed across river Sharavathi. The height of the dam is 1819 ft above sea level. Linganmakki dam is the main feeder reservoir for the Mahatma Gandhi Hydro Electric Power unit.

HILL STATION & ADVENTURE

Agumbe : The spectacular sunset point.

Location : on the way to Udupi , 35 kms from Thirthahalli falls a small place with big name called AGUMBE. It is situated at 2725 ft above sea level.

Whatz Special : Agumbe is also known as the "Chirapunji" of South India because this place receives the highest rainfall in South India. This place attracts tourists during the summer and winter season because of its glorious sunset. The place is surrounded by dense lush green forests , small streams and ghats. The place finds its charm at the time of sunset, the sun sets with different hues, colors, shapes.

Transport: To reach Agumbe you can catch any bus to Thirthahalli or bus to Udupi.

Best Season to Visit : November to May

Kodachadri : A glorious and enchanting mountain provides the perfect escape from the hectic pace of the hum drum of everyday life. Paradise for trekkers, the place attracts lot of trekkers around Karnataka state. Kodachadri is situated at 1411 ft above sea level and 115 kms from shimoga city. A beatific hill abode that overlooks the panoramic Western Ghats. It is clothed with splendid evergreen forests. The first portion of the hill is very steep and difficult to ascend. On the west, the hill descends almost perpendicular for about 4026 ft, meeting the South Kanara forests that lie below. The sea appears quite close, and on clear day, you can also see the ships go by. The famous temple town of Kollur is 12 Kms away. The steep hills challenges the trekkers for a adventurous trekking experience. Reaching the hill top makes you feel on top of the world.

Kundadri : On the way to Agumbe from Thirthahalli, 9 kms from Guddekeri near Begar you can find Kundadri hill. A adventurous place for trekking lovers. You can reach the hill top by tar road also but its a shaking experience if you walk up the mountain using the shortcut route. On reaching the top you can find the Parshwanath Chaityalaya, a stone structure. Kundadri hill is in fact a single gigantic monolithic rock formation with various outgrowths. A rough stone paved path leads one to the top of the hill. From the hill top you can see the twists and turns of the Thirthahalli-Agumbe road. This place is also a jain pilgrimage centre. Packing some light refreshments and moving on to ascend the hill would be a great idea.

Honnemaradu : About 25 Kms from Sagar town on the way to Jog falls , a adventure place by name Honnemaradu welcomes the adventure loving people. The place is situated on the back waters of Sharavathi river. The place maintained by Adventurers, Bangalore. You can enjoy Kayoking, wind water surfing and all other water sports. On payment of small amount you get accomodation,food and water sport equipments. One important point to be noted before visiting this place is not to carry any Alcohol, Gutka, Non-Veg items. All this items are banned in this place.

WILD LIFE

Tyarekoppa Lion Safari : 10 Kms from Shimoga enroute Sagar town Lions, Tigers and other wild life animals roam around in the deep forests freely. The lion-tiger safari started way back in 1988 is a ideal picnic spot . The safari is spread around an area of 200 Hectares of dense forest. You can witness to the grace, diversity, color and marvel of nature and catch enlivening glimpses of Lions, Tigers, Cheetah, Bear, Deer, and rare migratory birds as they amble around in luxuriant habitat. Regular recreation and sight seeing outings are organised by the forest department for visitors.

Sakrebayalu Elephant Camp :On the way to Thirthahalli from shimoga, 14 kms away from the city you can hear elephants reciting their lessons. Yes its not a joke its fact that you can find here many elephants being trained by training professionals. Elephant from the adjoining forests bathe at this spot before they re-enter their forest abode. Every morning these majestic creatures waddle down to waters and after playfully cleansed their bodies and satiated their thirst, they leave the waters before the rays of the sun get stronger. They are off to deal with their day's routine only to return the following day. To catch a glimpse of these mammoths at play in the waters, get there before 9 a.m.

Bird Sanctuaries

Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary : 32Kms from Shimoga city on the way to Thirthahalli you can hear the birds tweeting. This place is picnic spot for birds migrating from far places around the world. The place is surrounded by dense lush green forest and the flow of river Tunga has created a small island which adds to the beauty. The dense trees on the island provides shelter to migrating birds. Birds like Egrets, Bellakki Cormorant, Darter, Snake bird etc immigrate from different parts of the world during may season for breeding A high platform is built on the edge of river Tunga for bird watching. Boats are available for a closer watch .

Guduvi Bird Sanctuary :This bird sanctuary is unique for many reasons but is the only sanctuary located in the midst of dense forest. Guduvi is one of the 5 famous bird sanctuaries of Karnataka. The place is 16 Kms from Soraba taluka of Shimoga district. This bird sanctuary is spread over an area of 73.68 Hectares. As per 1993 survey, it is told that 191 varieties of birds are found at this place. A natural lake and the trees gives shelter to this birds. Some important birds found are White Pebis, Stone Bill, Egret, Cormorant, Snake bird, Heron etc. Different birds immigrate from other parts of the world in different seasons for breeding. A platform is built for a closer look of birds.

TEMPLES & HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

Ballegavi : This histrolical place is situated 21 Kms from Shikaripura taluka. This place is also known as Dakshina Kedara was the capital of Banawasi rulers in the 12th century. The place is associated with several eminent Veershaiva saints like Allama prabhu, Akka-Mahadevi, Animishayya and Ekantada Ramayya. There are remains of many temples, shrines, mastikals, viragals and nisidigals. Some important temples are Kedareshvara temple made out of soap stone and is a fine specimen of late chalukyan type, Tripurantakeshvara temple resembling the works of belur and halebedu, Prabhudeva temple is a smaller trikutchala structure, etc..

Keladi : was the first capital of Keladi Nayakas. The place is 6 Kms to the north of Sagar taluka. At almost the northern end of the village, there is a large courtyard which is enclosed in modern tiled verandah. In the middle of the courtyard stand 3 temples Rameshvara temple which is in the centre, Veerbhadreshvara temple which is to the right and the Parvati temple which is to the left. The Rameshvara & Veerbhadreshvara temples are a mixed pattern of hoysala & southern or Dravidian style. The Parvati temple is a small building which has old back portion built of stone and the front modern portion built of brick.. There is also a well maintained Keladi Museum, which has a collection of copper inscriptions, palm leaves and coins from Nayaka's period.

Ikkeri : situated 76 Kms to the noth of Shimoga and about 3 kms to the south of Sagar taluka. The word means "Two Streets". This place was the capital of Keladi Nayakas for some years. The walls of the city were of great extent, forming three concentric enclosures. In the citadel was the palace build of mud and timber, adorned with carvings and false guildings. The only vestige of the former greatness of ikkeri is the temple of Aghoreshvara, a large and well proportioned stone-building, constructed in a mixed style with a unique conception.

Koodali : 16 Kms from Shimoga , a place where rivers Tunga and Bhadra embrace and flow together from here, hence the name Koodali. A cultural place with rich heritage and temples around. It has a noted Smartha Monastery stated to have been founded in the 16th century by Jagadguru Narsimha Bharathi Swamigalu of Sringeri. Within the premises of the matha, there are shrines of Sharadamba and Shankaracharya. Outside ,there are two temples of hoysala times dedicated to Rameshvara and Narasimha. Koodali is also known as Varanasi of the south, it is home to Rushyashrama, Brahmeshwara, Narasimha and Rameshwara temples. The 600 years old mutt of Shankaracharya still stands with inscriptions of Hoysala and Okkeri Kings.

Chandragutti : situated in between Soraba taluka and Siddapura. The histrolical place and pilgrimage centre of Renukamba. The place was earlier known as Chandragupta Pura, Chandragutti pete, Gutti pete. 16 Kms from Soraba taluka, 848 mtrs above mean sea level on a rocky mountain bed one can find this place.

Humcha : 54 kms from Shimoga city is a renowned Jain Pilgrimage centre. The main attraction of Humcha is the Padmavathi Amma's temple. The Panchakuta Basadi (Jain temple) of 10th & 11th Century and Jain Mutt are other places of interest.

Bhadravathi : The Lakshminarsimha temple, built by the Hoysalas in the heart of the town and the Rameshwara temple built on the banks of the river Tunga attract pilgrims from all parts of Karnataka and other states. Pilgrims frequent here for darshans of a holy dip in the river. Bhadravathi is also most prominent Industrial centre in Shimoga district. The renowned Sir M Vishweshwaraiah Iron & Steel factory, The Mysore paper Mills and Sugar Factories were harbingers of Karnataka's industrial development.

Nagara :A 16th century place situated 19 Kms from Shimoga. This was also known as "Beendanoor"in the 16th century. This place was also capital of Keladi rulers and later on was captured by Hyder Ali. Other places of interest are Shivappanaika palace, Neelakenteshwara temple, Devagana tank and Gudde Venkataramana Swamy temple.

Bandalike : 35 Kms to the north of Shikaripura, a place famous for basadis and temples is Bandalika. Here you can find sculptures and writtings of Rastrakutas and Kadambas period. Other places of interest are Shantinath basadi, Sahasralinga Temple and Someshwara threemurthy temples.

Shivappa Naik Palace :Situated on the banks of river tunga in the busy lanes of Shimoga city. A 16th century place built by Shivappa naik of Keladi. A good architectual piece built with rose wood. The palace is equipped with museum which has several interesting and rare archaeological collections of stone carvings and antiques of Keladi period. Recovered idols of Hoysala and Chalukya period from the early 16th century to late 18th century are displayed here.

Saint Thomas Church : Situated in the heart of city. The church renovated and said to be second largest church in India with an area of 18000 square feet area . Also equipped with an prayer hall with an capacity to hold 5000 people at a time.

Other Places of Interest :

Kanoor fort : situated in the dense forest 50 kms from Jogfalls on the way to bhatkal. This Fort of Keladi dynasty was constructed by Kari Maneesena Rani Abbaka devi ( Spices queen).

Kavaledurga: 5056 ft above sea level is this magnificent fort on the hill. It is 16 Kms from Thirthahalli.

Kubetoor: 25 Kms from Sorab is Kubetoor, has several old temples known for their architectural splendour, though now in a dilapidated condition it still exemplifies the aesthetic sense of the dynasties that reigned. The Veerabhadra and Durgi are worth a visit. The Kedarashewara Temple is a Chalukyan architectural showpiece.

Talagunda: 5 Kms from Balligave lies Talagunda. Several ancient inscriptions are found here. The Pranseshwara temple is a must see. To the east of Talagunda is "Prabhudeva Gaddige".

Heggadu : 8 Kms from sagar, a small village known for its Non-Government Drama training institute called NEENASAM initiated by K.V.Subanna. The institute is well equipped with an indoor auditorium known as 'Dr. Shivarama Karantha Rangamandira'. Regular workshops and training sessions, finds the place populated by renowned artists from all over the country.

Around Shimoga city : Ganapathi Devasthana located in Ramanna Shreste Park , Basaveshwar Temple located in Gandhi Bazar, Marikamba Devasthana , Kannika Parmeshwari etc are other temples located within the city limits. And it is said that there are 21 or more Ganapathi devasthanas around shimoga city.

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