Shivamogga (Shimoga) Tourism

Located in the central part of Karnataka state, Shivamogga, earlier known as Shimoga, is blessed with the majestic Western Ghats hill ranges. There is a small history behind the origin of the name(s). The region was earlier known as Mandli. The name is related to Lord Shiva. Shiva Mukha (Face of Shiva), Shivana Moogu (Nose of Shiva) or Shivana Mogge (Flowers to be offered to Shiva) are the different suggestions of the name. The name Shimoga could have been derived from the word Sihi-Moge which means sweet pot. The region had the living ashram of the great sage Durvasa, who used to boil sweet herbs in an earthen pot. That is how the place got this name. The region has a living history of more than 2000 years, the earliest dating back to the 3rd century A.D during Satavahana dynasty.


It was a part of the empire of the Chalukyas of Badami in the 6th century. In the 7th century it was under the rule of a Jain chieftain, Santara Deva. Rashtrakutas came next, reigning for almost a century and then to the Hoysalas. It was the time when Jainism flourished here. The region passed into the hands of the Hoysalas in the 11th century and then to the Vijayanagara Empire in the 14th century. It was Hyder Ali, who captured most of the parts of South India along with this region in the midst of the 17th century. It was in 1799, when the British defeated Hyder Ali’s son Tipu Sultan in the battle of Srirangapatna and took control over this region like other places in India. Most of the district is situated in the hills and the occupation here is agricultural related.





Jog Falls

Considered as the most stunning example of nature's majesty, Jog Falls (Jog Waterfalls), also known as Gersoppa Falls is the second highest waterfall in India, behind Meghalaya’s Nohkalikai Falls. It is dropping from a height of around 830 feet in dense forest of the Western Ghats, created by Sharavathi river. Sharavathi originates at Ambuthirtha hills, and then flows north-west through the Western Ghats. Four water streams in the name Raja, Rani, Roarer and Rocket combine together to form this falls....

Sakrebailu Elephant Camp

The elephants hold an important place in the history of India, starting from worshipping them as God (Ganesh) till their prominence in the rituals of most of the temples. Sakrebailu is a small village on the banks of Tunga river, at the outskirts of Shimoga town in some 15 km. Sakrebailu Elephant Camp (Sakrebyle Elephant Camp) is an eco-tourism centre with captive elephants as the centre of attraction. Elephants here are maintained by trained mahouts....

Agumbe

Agumbe is a small village in the Thirthahalli taluk in Malnad region of Shivamogga district. What makes it special to make it into the tour list is, it always finds a place in top 5 for the most rainfall receiving place in India every year. This scenic hill station lies in the Western Ghats belt at around 2000 feet above sea level with some of the last remaining lowland rainforests. Visiting Agumbe is an enchanting experience with a picturesque beauty coupled with trekking trails and soaring rainfalls....

Kundadri Hills

Kundadri hill is a natural spa hill station, located close to the renowned Agumbe. The hill is known for an ancient Jain temple of the 17th century, dedicated to the 23rd Tirthankara. According to the myth, a sage named ‘Kundakunda’ was believed to have done severe penance to attain salvation and so, the hill station is considered as one of the holy places for Jains. The main deity of the temple is Parshwanath and also has several statutes relating to Jain mythology. The temple has 2 ponds covered by the fragrances of lotus throughout the year....

Keladi Rameshwara Temple

Keladi is a small village, located at a distance of around 10 km from Sagar town. Keladi was chosen as the first capital of Keladi Nayakas (1500 AD). The capital was then shifted to the nearby Ikkeri village by the successive rulers. Constructed in the Hoysala-Dravidian style, the temple was built in the 16th century by the Chowdappa Nayaka after the disintegration of the Vijayanagara empire. Keladi Rameshwara Temple has three main shrines, namely Rameshwara, Parvati and Veerabhadra, though the temple is commonly called by the name ‘Rameshwara’. The temple houses a variety of carvings which are not common everywhere....

Ikkeri Aghoreshwara Temple

Much like Keladi, Ikkeri was once under the control of Keladi Nayakas and as the second capital for them. In Kannada, Ikkeri refers to ‘two streets’. The village is famous for this Shiva temple built in a typical Hoysala-Dravidian style with some Vijayanagar touches too. Built using granite as the core material, the temple is in a rectangular complex and is on a slightly elevated level. Ikkeri Aghoreshwara Temple is huge, making an impression before entering itself. The arches of the Nandi’s (Bull) pavilion are done in typical Indo-Islamic style, indicating the influence of contemporary architecture in the country in the 16th century....






Travellers Reviews
Plan Your Holidays
Submit

Back
Pick/Choose any Tour from left for Itinerary
Back