Sirsi
A
town in Uttara Karnataka, is a hill station populated with
85,000 people. It is surrounded with thick green forest &
with many waterfalls. Hubli being the nearest city, business
opportunities are plenty. Supari (Arecanut or Betulnut) is
the main business of the people. People own areca farms in
acres & are satisfying the needs of the people all over
India & Abroad.
Marikamba
Temple
Sirsi
- is a tranquil town, dotted with terracotta-tiled houses,
Jain Basadis (temples) and ancient Hindu temples. The 16th
Century Marikamba Temple
enshrines a wooden deity that is believed to have been found
in a tank. The temple has a car festival once in two years.
Scarce in numbers are unheard of this fair of historical fame.
Millions of devotees rush in from remote parts of the country
to attend this scintillating fair of Shri
Marikamba. By getting darshana and blessings
of Shri Devi, they become fortunate and opulent in life. Innumerable
devotees of Goddess Marikamba of Sirsi are spread over in
the neighbouring states of Kerala, Tamilnadu and Andra Pradesh.
Sri Marikamba has become the chief Goddess of worship, a family
deity of the people of Uttara Kannada and Dakshina Kannada
districts.
Distance
- 58 km from Sirsi.
Bear witness to nature’s headlong tumble as the Sharavati
river makes a spectacular drop of 810ft. (253m) in four distinct
cascades – known locally as Raja, Rani, Rover, and Rocket
– to create the highest falls in Asia. The falls are
at their best during the monsoon, with arching rainbows coloring
the mist.
Sahasra Linga
Distance – 17 km from Sirsi.
There are hundreds of the stones with Shiva Linga carved on
them by the side or river 'Shalmala'. Because these uncountable
carvings, the place gets the name "Sahasra Linga"
(thousand lingas). Every year on the day of 'Shivaratri' thousands
of people visit this place to worship Lord Shiva. When the
water level is not high enough you can actually see all those
carvings.
Yana
Distance – 40 km from Sirsi.
The gigantic rock formations of Yana stand proud and tall
among the evergreen forests of the Western Ghats in Uttara
Kannada district. Two huge rocks are the centre of attraction.
There are two temples - Temple of Lord Shiva inside a cave
and Lord Ganesha adjacent to it. The other places of interest
are Thick forest and small waterfalls. Located near the Chandrika
river, Yana is an ideal destination for pilgrims, trekkers,
and nature-lovers. There are two awesome Bhairaveshwara and
Jaganmohini Shikharas, or peaks. A cave temple dedicated to
Lord Shiva lies below these Shikharas. The vagaries of time
have caused these limestone structures to turn blackish brown;
a profusion of beehives dots the rock surface.
Banavasi
Distance - 22 km from Sirsi
Madhukeshwara Temple, : Apprx. 8th century A.D. Banvasi was
the capital of the Kadambas, the first kingdom of ancient
Karnataka. This is where the eminent poet Pampa wrote his
poems. The Madhukeshwara Temple, famed for its architecture,
derives its name from the honey-coloured lingam in the inner
sanctum of the temple. An imposing Nandi faces the lingam.
Of special interest is the intricately carved stone cot, which
was actually used by the kings. The annual cultural festival
"Kadambatsava" is held in the month of December.
Sonda
Distance – 20 km from Sirsi.
Sri Swarnavalli Math and Sri Vadiraj Math are in the midst
of natural surroundings. The Shalmala River flows near the
maths. Sonda is one of the pilgrimage centres. The present
Swamiji of the Swarnavalli Math is “Shri Gangadharendra
Saraswati”, who is also known as "Green Swami"
as he stands for protecting the greenery of the area.
Unchalli Falls
Distance – 39 km from Sirsi
Heggarne, a dreamy hamlet in Uttara Kannada district, is just
34 km from Sirsi. 5 km trek from Heggarne through dense forests
brings you to the Unchalli Falls. The sound of the falls cataract
hurtling down the hilly tract shatters the silence of the
forests and the sight of the falls is unforgettable.
Also known as Lushington Falls, these falls were first discovered
by J. D. Lushington, who was the Uttara Kannada District Collector
of the British Government at that time. The cascade is also
called ‘Keppa Joga’ because of the deafening sound
it makes.
Magod Falls
Distance – 57 km from Sirsi
The Bedthi river takes two distinct leaps to hurtle from a
height of 650 ft into a rocky ravine. The thickly wooded countryside,
the roar of gushing water and a beautiful view combine to
make this spot an ideal choice for outings.
Murdeshwar
Distance – 105 km from Sirsi
Murudeshwar, the temple town with a vibrant scenic beauty
and golden history, is located on the Arabian seafront in
Uttara Kannada District of Karnataka. It is situated on the
NH-17, about 160 km north of the port city Mangalore. The
nearest airport is also at Mangalore. Murudeshwar is well
connected by roads. Buses plying between Mangalore and Mumbai
stop at Murudeshwar.
The most picturesque and memorable experience would be to
reach Murudeshwar from Mangalore or Goa by Konkan Railway
and alight at Murudeshwar railway station adjoining the National
Highway. Many trains stop at this station. Murudeshwar can
be visited throughout the year. Each season brings out a different
hue of the coastal town.
Gokarn
Distance – 85 km from Sirsi
With its narrow streets, traditional houses and temples, the
nondescript town of Gokarna has become the favourite haunt
of Hindu pilgrims, Sanskrit scholars and beach buffs. Locals
believe that Gokarna derives its name from a legend in which
Lord Shiva emerged from the ear of a cow. Literally meaning
‘Cow’s ear,’ this village is formed by the
ear-shaped confluence of two rivers. Adventurous travellers
must be prepared for a bit of cliff-scrambling in this coastal
town. ‘Om beach’, one of Gokarna’s five
famed beaches, takes the shape of an ‘Om,’ a spiritual
symbol. The other beaches, wedged between gigantic cliffs
that protrude like delicate fingers into the sea, are Gokarna,
Kudle, Half Moon and Paradise. The drive up the winding path
that leads to Gokarna is a scenic delight with Rocky Mountains
and the Western Ghats on one side and the Arabian Sea on the
other. Here, you can experience the famed Karnataka hospitality
in friendly guesthouses run by local families.
Karwar
Distance – 120 km from Sirsi
INS Kadamba is part of an initiative of the Indian Navy to
develop a blue water navy and to acquire strategic depth.
The project was first envisioned by the Chief of Naval Staff
Admiral Oscar Stanley Dawson during the 1980s. However, the
initiative was not adopted until 1999, under the tenure of
Defence Minister, George Fernandes, who spearheaded a new
drive to realise the project under the name Project ‘Seabird’.
How to Reach Sirsi ---------------------------?
Bus Route : a. 425 km from Bangalore
b. 102 km from Hubli.
· Train Route :
Nearest Railway stations:
1. Hubli, 102 km from Sirsi (South Central
Railway)
2. Haveri, 74 km from Sirsi (South Central
Railway)
3. Kumta, 60 km from Sirsi (Konkan Railway)
Air Route :
Hubli Air-port 102 km from Sirsi |
