Things To Do Shimoga

Karnataka India

23 out of 62 Places to visit in Karnataka

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Places To Visit In Shimoga

Hidlumane Falls

Located in the dense Mookambika forests, Hidlumane Falls is a series of 6 - 7 mesmerising waterfalls in the district of Shimoga, Karnataka. All of these waterfalls are hidden from view of one another and the most gorgeous one is situated at the top and is the last of the series. The pool is shallow and hence you find a lot of visitors swimming here. But swimming is prohibited here during the monsoons as the currents get harsh. It is also a popular trekking point which starts from Kodachadri Peak. Trekking through lush dense forests and through the homes of many rare species of birds is an experience to remember. Due to termites present in certain parts of the forest, there exist many dead trees which have formed into unique shapes. Avoid trekking during the monsoons as the trail gets slippery and so do the many large rocks present. Read More

A unique village that merges ancient India with modern civilisation, the village of Hosahalli, along with its twin village Mattur, is known across the world as the only place where the ancient Sanskrit language is still spoken on a day-to-day basis and is the official language. It is situated on the banks of the Tunga River, 4 km away from the city of Shimoga. The villagers also speak the rare dialect called Sanketi, a unique mixture of Sanskrit, Tamil and Kannada. Hosahalli, once part of the great empire of Vijayanagara, is full of marvellous temples like the Lord Channakeshava temple with an impressive Rajagopuram (royal temple tower) at its entrance, the Shri Rama mandiram at the heart of the village where devotional singing or bhajans are recited on Saturdays and festive days, and the Lord Shiva temple situated on the bank of river Tunga. These temples are a great testament to the religious and traditional lifestyle observed in this village, to which the villagers are committed to preserving. There lies a bridge across the Tunga river to connect to the Mattur village. Read More

Kavaledurga is ancient hill fort situated near Shimoga in Karnataka that is perched at a height of 1541 metres. Although in ruins right now, the hill fort is still considered to be one of the most scenic and enchanting places in the state. Engulfed in greenery, the fort is surrounded by the majestic Western Ghats. The heritage spot is a hidden secret in the region and therefore is devoid of the typical tourist crowd. The fort can be reached through a trek uphill that might be a little tiring but the view at the top will make it all worthwhile. Read More

Keladi is a village in the Shimoga District known for its rich past and culture. Once served as the first capital of the Keladi Nayaka Kingdom, today this prime location is adorned with two popular attractions i.e. Keladi Rameshwara Temple and Keladi Museum. The temple devoted to Lord Rameshwara is the finest example of three styles of architecture namely Hoysala, Dravidian and Kadamba. The temple also houses the shrines of Lord Veerbhadra and Goddess Parvati. The museum in the village contains an antique collection of artefacts and other souvenirs of the bygone era belonging to Keladi Nayaks. There are also several idols, sculptures, copper inscriptions, coins and palm leaves reflecting the rich heritage of Chalukya and Hoysala period. Read More

The Varanasi of South, Koodli, is amongst the holiest places of Southern India and the site of confluence of two holy rivers Tunga & Bhadra. A place endowed with a lot of history and religious importance, Koodli has been an important place of worship, meditation and peace from ancient times. It is located at a distance of mere 16 km from the city of Shimoga in Shimoga district. A place filled with peace, faith and piety Koodli is a must see if you find yourself in Shimoga. The small village is home to some really important and old temples whose origin goes back to the beginning of the last millennium. The place is known as the 'Varanasi of South' due to the presence of temples like Rameshvara, Narasimha, Brahmeshvara, and Rushyashrama. It is also home two great philosophical schools of Hindu philosophy in the form Shankaracharya Mutt and Koodli Arya Akshobhya Teertha Mutt. Standing at the meeting point of Tunga and Bhadra one cannot help but immerse himself in the peace and tranquillity that surrounds the place. Read More

Kunchikal Falls located on the Shimoga- Udupi highway in Karnataka is India's highest waterfalls situated on River Varahi. There is also a hydro-electric plant installed on the waterfalls to generate electricity. Situated amidst the dense lusty woods, the waterfalls are also a popular trekking spot. It ranks 116 in the list of highest waterfalls in the world. Unlike many waterfalls in Shimoga, Kunchikal Falls is accessible by road and visitors just have to walk a few meters from the parking to view the falls. Read More

Situated about 12 km from Thirthahalli, Kundadri is a hillock known for the Jain Temple perched at the top of it. Blessed with bounteous natural beauty and an amazing view of the mountains in the backdrop, the place is a trekker’s haven and a paradise for nature lovers. Boasting of dense jungles of the Western Ghats, Kundadri is visited by a lot of tourists and pilgrims who come here to admire the surreal natural beauty and to pay respect to the presiding deity of the Jain temple - Parshawanatha. In addition to that, there are also two small ponds formed next to the temple on the rock which is a pretty sight to behold. Read More

Linganamakki Dam is one of the largest human-made water reservoirs of the country. The length of the dam is a mere 2.4 km but owing to the width, its water storing capacity is much higher than any other dam. Stretching over the Sharavathi River, it is at a distance of 6 km from the world-famous Jog Falls and is located in the Sagara Taluk near Kargal town. The scenery here is exhilarating with magnificent views of forested islands and hills covered in dense foliage. It has resulted in beautiful backwaters, dotted with myriad islands. The islands are rich in biodiversity, and it is a lot of fun hopping from one to another on a kayak. The Karnataka State Government constructed the dam in 1964 with the initial purpose of providing irrigation facilities in the area. Later, another objective of supplying fresh drinking water was added. It derives most of its water requirements from the annual rainfall. Another water support of this dam is Chakra and Savahaklu water reservoirs, which are linked to the dam through a canal. A hydroelectricity plant has also been set up. For tourists, boating facilities and other water sports activities are available. There is also a park for kids. Various migratory birds and crocodiles can be spotted here. Few scenes from Tamil action thriller 'Lingaa' were shot here. Read More

Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary is a small picturesque island located in 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 a plethora of migratory birds such as darter, egret, snake-bird, cormorant etc. This island is just 1.14 acres big and is a paradise for ornithologists.

A tiny village in the Shimoga district of Karnataka, the quaint little Mattur, along with its twin village Hosahalli, is famous across the world for being one of the few existing locations where the ancient language of Sanskrit is used colloquially and in routine conversation. Despite the regional language of Karnataka being Kannada, the inhabitants of Mattur are fluent in Sanskrit and use it to on their signboards and in their daily life. The Vedas, one of the oldest texts in the world, are taught at the schools here. Not only are the villagers committed to maintaining their traditional way of living, they are also more than willing to impart this knowledge on anyone who is interested, a fine method of preserving India's oldest language, spoken by less than 1% of the country's population. Apart from the unique way of life practised here, the village is also home to a small group of temples, situated at a distance of 800 metres from the main village square. This temple complex houses a temple of Lord Rama, a Shivalaya and a Someshwara temple. The premises of the complex is well decorated, with a cute garden and a small freshwater stream flowing near it.The beautiful Mattur lake, with its lovely blue waters, is located close to the village. Across the river Tunga is a bridge built to connect with the village Hosahalli. Read More