Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary, Shivamogga

Mandagadde bird sanctuary is 30 kms from Shimoga on the highway to Mangalore. The backwaters of the river tunga dam  in the dense forest of the western ghats attract birds from far away countries.

 The river forms a little island, which is famous for the migratory birds sighted there.

The birds that can be seen here are the Median Egret, Little Cormonant, Darter, and the Snake Bird. The sanctuary is a bird watcher’s delight, with the island being a perfect heaven for bird nesting.

The best time to visit the bird sanctuary is August to September. Birds come here to lay eggs and go back after hatching them.

Sakrebailu Elephant Camp, Shivamogga

Sakrebailu means land of sugar. This place was once full of sugarcane fields. Elephants love sugarcane and this place attracted them. This place is now a elephant camp maintained by the forest department. 

Wild elephants are trained here in the camp. Wild and rogue elephants are tamed by other trained elephants. Elephants are brought early morning to the camp everyday from the forests by the mahuts. They are given bath and massage in camp. Food is also served to the elephants. They are sent to the forests afternoon. So, visitors have to be in the camp early morning to watch the elephants. A attendance register is maintained in the camp for the elephants. All elephants are given a name.

Sakrebyle camp is 14 kms from Shivamogga city. It is situated 1 km from Ganjanur dam and right
on the highway. This camp is on the sprawling backwaters of the dam.

Elephant ride is available for the tourists. A visit to the tunga dam in Gajanur will make a perfect holiday.

Bekal Beach, Kasargod, Kerala

Jog Falls, Shivamogga

The river Sharavathi jumps down a steep hillock nearby a village called Jog, creating the most beautiful falls in the world. Welcome to Jog Falls ! 

The beauty of the falls are in four distinct cascades called as, Raja, Rani, Roarer and Rocket. 

Jog falls located on National Highway  206 connecting Honnavar to Bengaluru (B.H Road) and is well connected by road. Jog falls is 372 KM from Bengaluru. From Shivamogga, Jog falls is 100 Kms and is nearly 30 kms from Sagar. Shivamogga is well connected by road and rail from Mysuru and Bengaluru.

Best time to visit to see water falls is when sufficient water is available in the river. Usually from June to September is the best time as monsoon remains active during this time of the year. But, avoid days when it is raining heavily, as the clouds cover and falls making it invisible.

The falls is best viewed when the sunrays fall on it. An ideal time for photography too.

A staircase here with more than a 1400 steps leads to the bottom of the falls. The falls is 990 ft tall. The view from the bottom of the falls is majestic.

Before reaching Jog, a bridge is constructed across the river Sharavathi. It is worth to get down here to see the river which plunges into the falls a few meters away. 

Jog Falls is formed by the Sharavathi River dropping here, making it the second-highest plunge waterfall in India after the Nohkalikai water fall with a drop of 335 m (1100 ft) in Meghalaya.

The rear view of Jog falls is equally enchanting. This place is popularly known as British Bungalow by the locals, due to a guest house constructed here during the British period.

The majestic bungalow exists even today which can be seen behind the falls from the front view. A new guest house is built now next to the old British bungalow.

A view point at this place provides a good view of the rear view of the falls. It’s better to view the water fall from the front side and then come to the rear side, as one can gauge the height of the fall. Be careful at this place, as the rocks on the edge of the fall are 830 feet deep.

Musical fountain and laser show is displayed in the evening at the water fall. An excellent view of the Western Ghats can be seen walking across the footpath constructed at the edge of the cliff near the falls.

A minute walk here leads to a breath taking view of the Mahatma Gandhi hydro power generating station and a small dam downstream.

Entrance fee is payable to view the water fall. There is ample space for parking expect during peak season, when vehicles pile up for a mile.

Basic snacks and food is available at the restaurants here. Guest houses here have good accommodation facility.

A tiny village comprising mainly of KPC employees lies near Jog Falls. A lake near the water fall is ideal for boating and picnic. A hanging cable bridge is built across the lake.

Shettyhalli Wildlife Sanctuary/Forest, Shimoga

Shettyhalli wakes up to a new morning each day. A morning bathed in mist, birds rhyming sweet melodies, bamboo trees creating a new sound wave, crisp dried leaves covering the wet soil – all the ingredients needed to refresh mind and heart, taking one away from the maddening crowds and hustle-bustle of city life.

Please note that prior permission is required from the Range Forest office at Alkola (100 ft road) in Shimoga to enter the forest after the check post near Haihole. You may be disappointed to return back if you enter the forest without permission.

With high mountains, evergreen forests and pleasant falls, this spot is just begging for recognition. There’s nothing like Shettyhalli for a weekend getaway.

                                                       Guest house at Shettyhalli

Situated 20 kms from Shimoga city, a narrow kuchha and pucca road leads to Shettyhalli forest. The last 7 km of the journey has to be traversed on mud roads. It takes 30 minutes to venture through this rough forest road. The nearest route being anupinakatte road via Mandara school. The best way to escape to this untamed forest is by bike or jeep.

The entire stretch is covered with forests so thick that even the sun cannot penetrate through all that foliage. There are centuries old teak and rosewood threes on either side, punctuated by streams.

The most enjoyable part of Shettyhalli is the trek to the waterfalls which are splendourous even in the hot summer. Machhan falls is 2 kms from Shettyhalli forest guest house. Also known as Huli Bai Neeru (water from the tiger’s mouth), the name is symbolic of the tiger mouth shaped huge cavity, carved in the roots of a huge tree, from where the cool water gushes out.

Sheetihalli wildlife sanctuary is rich in wildlife from the humble deer to the dreaded tiger. A note of caution though: you will have to be off the roads by evening or else wandering elephants will make the rest of your holiday a nightmare.

                                          Shettihalli is home to colourful birds

There are no shops, hotels and telephone lines in Shettyhalli which has about 50 households. Which means that you will have to carry everything you need to this spot. However, there is a forest guesthouse at Shettyhalli village which provides accommodation and food for a price. But, prior permission is required from the Range Forest office at Alkola (100 ft road) in Shimoga.

The forest guest house, which is located below a mountain, boasts of beautiful nursery and lush green surroundings. Such scenery by day and camp fires at night are an unbeatable combination in Shettyhalli.

Midway to Shettyhalli is the picturesque Puradalu lake. A dam was constructed across the lake in 1969 for irrigation purpose. Puradalu village is 10 kms from Shimoga. This breathtaking lake is spread across a 32 acre forest area. A portion of the lake’s bank is covered by thick eucalyptus plantation, making it an ideal eating joint. The sprawling lake is extremely picturesque surrounded by high mountains and evergreen forests which boast of teak and rosewood trees.

                                                                Puradalu dam

Sigandur Temple, Sharavathi backwaters, Sagar, Shimoga

Sigandur is a picturesque spot for nature lovers. Sigandur is located 35 kms from Sagar town. Sagar is 70 kms from Shimoga. Jog falls is 30 kms from Sagar. But, Sigandur and Jog falls fall on different routes from Sagar. Jog falls can be reached from Sigandur also.

Sigandur is a forest area with a temple of Goddess Chowdeshwari. When Linganmakki dam was contructed across river Sharavathi, the backwaters submerged the area. The road to Sigandur is cut-off with the backwaters. 

The backwaters has to be crossed by launch. The government runs two launch here for travellers during the day. Buses and vehicles can use the launch to cross the river. Sigandur temple is 6 kms from the backwaters. The backwater is about 1 km in distance to cross by launch. It takes around 30 minutes to cross the river. Launch service is not available after 5 pm.

Holebagilu is a Kannada word, "Hole" refers to river and "Bagilu" refers to Door. Holebagilu means river gateway.

Sharavathi River has been dammed to form Linganamakki dam where Holebagilu is situated. Holebagilu is the starting point of ferry journey for 45 minutes to reach Sigandur at the other end.

Holebagilu is a tourist attraction as the forest around the place has been declared as reserved forest and called as 'Devara kaadu'. 

More devotees come to Sigandur than tourists. Devotees of Goddess Chowdeeshwari come here to resolve land disputes and personal disputes.

Accomodation is available at the temple for a few people. But, there is no accomodation for tourists at backwaters.

Sigandur is located 35 km from Sagara town. Sagara is 70 km from Shivamogga. Jog falls is 30 km from Sagara. But, Sigandur and Jog falls fall on different routes from Sagar. Jog falls can be reached from Sigandur also which is a very long route.