Shimoga: A town steeped in rich heritage and culture

A town steeped in rich heritage and culture

With nature in its full bloom, the town of Shimoga (Shivamogga) in Karnataka has been home to several great dynasties and kingdoms. Steeped in rich heritage and culture, this main city of Shimoga district derives its name from the words ‘Shiv-Mukha’ implying ‘Face of Lord Shiva’.

Packed with several marvels of nature in the form of picturesque landscape, gorgeous waterfalls, mystical temples and lush green surroundings, its raw beauty will leave you absolutely enchanted. Blessed with swaying palms and verdant paddy fields, the place has earned itself the nickname of rice bowl as well as the breadbasket of Karnataka.

With four rivers, namely Sharavathi, Kumudavath, Tungabhadra and Varada making their way into the city, gurgling and bubbling sounds add a mystical charm to the region. Pleasant weather, beautiful rolling hills, a profusion of areca nuts and an endless list of attractions has made this place a must for enthusiastic vacation makers.

PLACES TO VISIT IN SHIMOGA

Dabbe Falls

Dabbe Falls, nestled within the lush green folds of Saravathi Wildlife Sanctuary, is a hidden gem in the Shimoga region of Karnataka. The alluring call of the forest and the gorgeous stream of water rushing down the cliff attract nature lovers and explorers to the Dabbe Falls.

The word ‘dabbe’ translates to ‘steps’ in the native language. The reason behind such a name is the streambed of the Dabbe Falls which resembles steps or to be more precise, a kind of terrace jutting out from the steep wall of the cliff. The waterfalls and pools in each step before it overfill and form a cascading wall of water down to the next step and this continues making Dabbe one of the most picturesque scenes to behold in the region.

Kodachadri Hills

Kodachadri Hills serve as a stunning backdrop of evergreen forests to the town of Maravanthe. Located in the Western Ghats at a height of 4,411 feet above the sea level, these also prove to be one of the good trekking trails, beginning at the South Kanara Forest.

Beginners or trekking newbies can easily undertake this trek. Since most of the expedition covers a forest landscape amidst low altitudes, chances of altitude sickness are low as well. The total distance is 14 km to and fro.

Jog Falls

With a total drop height of 253 m, Jog Falls is among the highest waterfalls in India and probably one of the most majestic, around the globe.

A faint cover of clouds, given an unforgiving gush of water and an occasional hint of the rainbow, make it almost essential to visit the Jog Falls, while you are in the state. Its name is derived from the Kannada word “jog” which means falls. Jog Falls is a perfect monsoon getaway for people in southern and western India as reaching here is pretty easy from Mangalore, Hubli, Bangalore and Goa. A Laser Light Show and Musical Karanji show is also held at the falls, every day between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Agumbe

Located in the Shimoga district of Karnataka, Agumbe is a tiny village often referred to as the “Cherrapunji of South India”. This biodiversity-rich region has the highest rainfall in south India and the second highest annual rainfall in India. Visiting Agumbe is an enriching experience as this hill station has picturesque beauty coupled with trekking trails and gushing rainfalls. It is one of the last surviving lowland rainforests. This beautiful place served as the setting for India’s very famous fictional town Malgudi in the TV serial Malgudi Days. Agumbe is famously known for the breathtaking sunsets over the Arabian Sea that can be witnessed from this region.

Interestingly, Agumbe is also called as the “Cobra Capital” because of the high number of cobras found here. Tourists from all over flock to this mesmerizing place to experience tranquillity. Agumbe provides great options for trekking beckoning the adventure enthusiasts to visit this offbeat destination hidden in the lap of nature.

Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary

Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary is a small picturesque island on the river Tunga nearly 32 km from Shimoga town on the way to Thirthahalli.

The perfect time to explore the island, which is a part of Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary, is from July to October during which the island is visited by plethora of migratory birds such as darter, egret, snake-bird, cormorant etc.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The winter months from October to February is the best time to visit Shimoga, as the beauty of the place is enhanced with the pleasant weather. With seasons rotating, the town of Shimoga sways between dry and wet. Monsoon season hits the town somewhere between June and October and transforms the place into a paradise all refreshed and blooming. The rivers and waterfalls spurt in full force and present a beautiful sight.

HOW TO REACH SHIMOGA

By flight: The nearest International Airport is Mangalore Airport, Mangalore, roughly 195 km from Shimoga city. Frequent flights to various national and international destinations such as Hyderabad, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Kozhikode, Bangalore, and Chennai take off from here. You can hire a taxi from the airport to reach the main town.

By road: You can also take a bus from the main cities in both Karnataka and Maharashtra to reach Shimoga. There are many state transport buses plying on this route. However, the best thing to do to explore Shimoga is to hire a car. You can use the same car to explore the city of Shimoga. You can hire a car from various companies that will charge you by the car you hired, the number of days and the kilometers you covered.

By train: With a railway station of its own, Shimoga district is well connected to many major cities in the country. A regular rail service also connects the region to Bengaluru directly which is 280 km away. Avail a bus or a taxi from outside the station to commute anywhere in the district.