Shimoga: Waterfalls, Forests and History
Accommodation in Shimoga
A large part of Shimoga district lies in the Malnad region, or the Sahyadri Mountains. A trip around Shimoga offers several different highlights: waterfalls, forest landscapes, birdwatching, temples and remnants of the Nayaka period. If you’re looking for a holiday rental, you can first decide whether to focus on nature or cultural sites. The varied destinations offer some concrete ideas.
Waterfalls and landscapes
Nearby, Jog Falls is one of the region’s striking natural attractions. The Sharavathi River forms four distinctly separate cascades there. Two open viewing platforms offer different vantage points: one is at the main entrance and car park, and the other is near the inspection bungalow. During the season, visitors can also descend 1,400 steps to the foot of the falls. Viewing the falls from above and making the seasonal descent are therefore two different ways to experience them.
The region’s waterways offer their own points of interest. Honnemaradu lies on the backwaters of the Sharavathi River. At B.R.P. Dam, there are islands formed by the Bhadra River, which visitors can circle by boat. Further afield, Kodachadri is known as a trekking destination in evergreen forests. These places appeal to different nature interests: water and islands, waterfalls, or trekking through a forest area.
Bird and wildlife watching
Guduvi Bird Sanctuary covers 73.68 hectares. A survey in 1993 recorded 191 bird species there. This figure relates the species count to that particular survey, making Guduvi a destination in its own right for bird enthusiasts. Nearby, Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary has a raised platform for birdwatching. Boats are also available there for observing birds at closer range. The platform and boat offer different ways to watch birds, which you can consider when choosing your nature destinations.
Another place to visit nearby is Sakrebyle Elephant Camp, a forest camp for captive elephants maintained by the Karnataka Forest Department. The public can see bull elephants at close range there. For families who would like to see wildlife as well as landscapes and birds, this offers a different focus from the bird sanctuaries.
Temples and Nayaka history
The Ikkeri Aghoreshwara Temple dates from the 16th century and combines Vijayanagara and Dravida architectural traditions. For those interested in architecture, it is a specific cultural landmark. Keladi offers another historical perspective: it was the first capital of the Keladi Nayakas. The Keladi Museum displays copper inscriptions, palm leaves and coins from the Nayaka period. Together, the former capital and the museum’s collections offer different ways to explore Nayaka history.
Koodali lies near Shimoga, where the Tunga and Bhadra rivers meet. It is also home to a Smartha monastery dating from the 16th century and Hoysala-period temples dedicated to Rameshvara and Narasimha. The confluence, monastery and temples each offer a different perspective on culture and history.
Getting there and choosing a location
Shimoga Nagar railway station is served by trains to and from Bangalore and Mysore. If you’re travelling by train, you can factor this connection into your plans. Other place names to search for and explore include Shimoga, Megaravalli, Mattur and Nandodi.
A local speciality
In Sagar, Mr Seetaram Bhat makes Appe Midi, a product made from pickled young mangoes. This speciality adds a local culinary connection to the region’s nature and culture. If you enjoy discovering local products while travelling, you can keep Sagar and Appe Midi in mind as an additional focus alongside the landscapes, bird sanctuaries and historic sites.
For the broader travel overview: Karnataka.
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