Tourism

Shimoga
shimoga is locally called as shiva- mogga. The name shimoga is derived from the term shiva-mukha, literally meaning "Face of Shiva". Shimoga District is a part of naturally rich Malnad region of Karnataka. Shimoga is a true picture of nature's bounts- landscopes dotted with waterfalls, swaying palms and lush paddy fields make picturesque locales, shimoga is 273 Kms southwest of Bangalore.
Make your Tour to Shimoga Memorable by visiting these famous tourist near shimoga.

Jog Falls:-

 Being the highest waterfall in India,Jog falla is also one of the major tourist attraction in Karnataka.Jog Falls is formed by Sharavathi River which falls from a height of 253 m.The falls are situated at a distance of around 100km from the shimoga City.The fall comes down in four different tracks all of which have been named.Raja,Roarer,Rocket and Rani are their names.The highest of the four is the Raja which falls into 40 meter deep pool.Next to Raja is the Roarer.The name aptly describes the great spurts of water into the air,far away from the rocks.Similarly,Rani is named for its graceful flow down the rocks.After the onset of monsoon,the Jog Falls start showing its true colors.Limitless water starta flowing down from the falls giving its onlookers a surreal sight.During the dry season,when can actually take a bath in the pool,however during the wet season the falls are covered with mist rising from the fall.The best time to visit Jog Falls is during November to January months,just after the monsoons and before the start of the winters.

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 Anicut Dam

Situated around 12 Km from Shimoga, Tunga Anicut Dam is a popular choice for picnic among the locales. Boat ride in the lake is the favorite activity that tourist like to indulge in, when visiting Tunga Anicut Dam. The dam is open from 10 AM to 5 PM on all days. Just 3 Km from the dam is Sacrebyle, which is an elephant camp. The camp houses several elephants. The best time to visit the camp is early in the morning when the elephants are taken for a bath in the lake.

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.

Tyarekoppa Lion Safari

Tyarekoppa Lion Safari is a great place to enjoy the unaltered nature and wildlife. Situated at a distance of 10 Km from Shimoga, Tyarekoppa Lion safari was established in the year 1988. Forest department organizes safaris regularly into the deep jungles. One gets to see here lions, tigers, cheetah, bear, deer and many more magnificent animals. Bird watching is also an option in the park as there are few Migratory birds that come here during the season. The safari covers an area of 200 hectares, most of which is dense forest.

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.

Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary

Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary is situated at a distance of around 30 Km from Shimoga City. The sanctuary is host to some of the most magnificent birds. The dense forest surrounding and the Tunga River prove to be a great habitat for the avian visitors. Most commonly found migratory birds in the sanctuary are the median egret, the little cormorant, and the darter. They come here during the start of monsoon and stay here till early October. There is a watchtower in the premises, which makes bird watching more convenient and frequent. The best time to visit Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary is in August, which is the peak season for migration. During this time there are more than 5000 birds in the sanctuary. To enjoy the best of beauty and treasures inside the sanctuary, take a guide along with you or ask for guidance from the Forest department.

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.

Agumbe

This spectacular sunset point is also known as the Cheeranapunji of south india as it receives the highest rainfall in South india. This Picturesque landscope is renowned for it's glorious Sunset.

Kadachadri :

This is the highest peak in shimoga District. kadachadri is around 120 km from shimoga this beautiful hill station is nestled in the western Ghats.

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. 

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.

Accommodation in Shimoga

The number of hotels in Shimoga is good but hotels equipped with all the facilities are few. Most of these hotels are situated close to the city center. There are some guest houses as well that you can opt for, for a comfortable stay. Good hotels in Shimoga are Hotel Jewel rock, Hotel Mathura Residency, Hotel Malnad and Hotel Ashoka Deluxe.

Getting There

By Air

The nearest airport to Shimoga is at Hubli which is at a distance of 165 Km. Other airports accessible from Shimoga are Mangalore (200 Km) and Bangalore (275 Km). In near future, an airport at Sogane is expected to open. It is around 6 Km from Shimoga.

By Rail

Shimoga has its own railhead and is well connected to Bangalore and Mysore by regular trains. Though connection with other cities of India is less. When traveling from outside Karnataka, Berur Station can be used. It is around 60 Km from here. There are frequent KSRTC buses between the two towns.

By Road

Shimoga is connected by NH 206 to the capital city Bangalore. Distance between the two cities is 274 km and can be covered in about 6 hrs. There are regular buses between the two cities. Shimoga can also be approached from Mangalore and Udupi. The entire route is quite picturesque. Luxury coaches run by KSRTC are the most convenient way of commuting.

Local Transportation

To move around in the city, auto rickshaws are the most common form of transportation. Taxis are also available for hire.