Shimoga is definitely a picturesque city in the state of Karnataka. The city is located exactly on the banks of the Tunga River in the central part of the state. The city is at a distance of about 274 kilometers from Bangalore, the capital city of Karnataka. The city has been named after the famous Shiva-Mukha, which means the face of Lord Shiva.
Shimoga was the most wanted spot in Karnataka for many rulers in the past. Shimoga was under the rule of dynasties like Chalukyas, Kadambas, Rashtrakutas, Vijayanagara and Hoysalas. The rulers were very much attracted to the fertility of the soil. The quality and the quantity of food grains that are produced in Shimoga are better than any other city in Karnataka and such agricultural products are also exported to other districts in India.
Shimoga makes an ideal tourist destination because of it's lush green surroundings which is combined with its pleasant climate. October and March are the best months to visit Shimoga as the weather is cool during these two months. The interesting feature about Shimoga is that it will leave you longing to visit the city again and again.
Tourists' favorite: The enchanting view of the rushing waters at the Jog Falls
The Tunga Anicut Dam is famous for its elephant camps. The camp houses several elephants and one can enjoy a bath with the trunked animals in the lake during early morning time. The sunset at the Vanake Abbey Falls is simply superb and picturesque. The Hidlamane falls is an adventurous falls, as one need to trek on the rocky hills to reach the falls. The boat ride at the BRP dam is said to happen at a height of about 194 feet. There are many islands around the dam and the tourists can witness them while taking a boat ride.
Elephants enjoy a shower at the Sakrebyle Elephant Camp
The pilgrims visiting these temples take a holy dip in the river Tunga. Shimoga also has many Jain temples namely, Shri Neminath Swamin Digamber Jain temple, Shri Digamber Jain temple and Shri Kundakundadri Digambar Jain temple. There are many other big temples located in Shimoga and every temple that is situated in Shimoga are unique from one another and are visited by thousands of tourists all around the year. The religious spots that are found in Shimoga city hold its own significance and they are the best temples found in India.
This palace has two narrow flights that are used as stairs to reach on both the sides of the palace. The stairs leads to the hall and then the rooms. The palace also has an open courtyard and a massive bell. There are many historical manuscripts and other collection such as swords, guns, knives that were used by the Keladi Kings are preserved at the palace. There are many small forts and monuments present in and around Shimoga city and they are unique from one another.
Ancient religious deities arranged in a neat manner at the Shivappa Nayaka Palace Museum
The tourists can easily find any type of hotel that can match their expectations. The Hotels in Shimoga have all the basic facilities like room heaters, hot shower, LCD monitors, internet connection with Wi-Fi, steam bath, spa, swimming pool and much more. The enquiry system and the help desk at the hotels are widely available twenty-four hours a day and one can easily drop a message at the front office. The following are some of the famous hotels in the city of Shimoga.
Weekend Getaways Near Shimoga
Weekend getaways in Shimoga are the ones that come under the tourist destinations that can be found very nearby to Shimoga. The following are some of the famous weekend getaways in Shimoga.
Achakanya falls: Located about 10 km away from Shimoga and it has a spectacular leap that covers the whole falls.
Tunga Dam: Located at about 10 km from Shimoga.
Gajanur Dam: This dam is built on the Tunga river is one among the popular tourist spots of Shimoga
Sanctuaries: The Mandagadde bird sanctuary, Tyarekoppa lion safari, Gudavi bird sanctuary, and the Sakrebayalu elephant camp are some of the other weekened getaways in Shimoga.
The Gajanur Dam in Shimoga always finds a place in the weekend getaway list
Shimoga was the most wanted spot in Karnataka for many rulers in the past. Shimoga was under the rule of dynasties like Chalukyas, Kadambas, Rashtrakutas, Vijayanagara and Hoysalas. The rulers were very much attracted to the fertility of the soil. The quality and the quantity of food grains that are produced in Shimoga are better than any other city in Karnataka and such agricultural products are also exported to other districts in India.
Shimoga makes an ideal tourist destination because of it's lush green surroundings which is combined with its pleasant climate. October and March are the best months to visit Shimoga as the weather is cool during these two months. The interesting feature about Shimoga is that it will leave you longing to visit the city again and again.
Tourists' favorite: The enchanting view of the rushing waters at the Jog Falls
Tourist Spots in Shimoga
The main attractive tourist spot in Shimoga is the Jog Falls, whose river beds are always full all around the year. The Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary is located very near to Shimoga, at a distance of about 30 kilometre. This sanctuary has many magnificent birds living in the dense forest. The watchtower in this bird sanctuary can be used to witness different kinds of birds species. During the month of August, one can witness more than 5000 birds visiting this sanctuary.The Tunga Anicut Dam is famous for its elephant camps. The camp houses several elephants and one can enjoy a bath with the trunked animals in the lake during early morning time. The sunset at the Vanake Abbey Falls is simply superb and picturesque. The Hidlamane falls is an adventurous falls, as one need to trek on the rocky hills to reach the falls. The boat ride at the BRP dam is said to happen at a height of about 194 feet. There are many islands around the dam and the tourists can witness them while taking a boat ride.
Elephants enjoy a shower at the Sakrebyle Elephant Camp
Religious Spots in Shimoga
Shimoga is also known for its spiritual and religious side. The locals of Shimoga are attached to one another religiously and they do have a strong belief on their God. There are many religious spots in Shimoga worth visiting. The Lakshminarasimha temple was built by the famous Hoysalas in Shimoga and the famous Rameshwara temple was built along the Tunga River which is indeed visited by many pilgrims from all over India.The pilgrims visiting these temples take a holy dip in the river Tunga. Shimoga also has many Jain temples namely, Shri Neminath Swamin Digamber Jain temple, Shri Digamber Jain temple and Shri Kundakundadri Digambar Jain temple. There are many other big temples located in Shimoga and every temple that is situated in Shimoga are unique from one another and are visited by thousands of tourists all around the year. The religious spots that are found in Shimoga city hold its own significance and they are the best temples found in India.
Historical Monuments and Forts in Shimoga
Shimoga city stands proud to hold some of the best forts and historical monuments that were built in the city during the last few generations. The palaces that can be found in and around Shimoga city can portray the architectural brilliance of the architects who lived in the past generations. The Shivappa Nayaka Palace in Shimoga city is situated in an area of about 200 acres.This palace has two narrow flights that are used as stairs to reach on both the sides of the palace. The stairs leads to the hall and then the rooms. The palace also has an open courtyard and a massive bell. There are many historical manuscripts and other collection such as swords, guns, knives that were used by the Keladi Kings are preserved at the palace. There are many small forts and monuments present in and around Shimoga city and they are unique from one another.
Museums in Shimoga
The Shivappanaika Palace museum in Shimoga is the only museum in this city and it is located on the banks of the famous Tunga River. The museum was once a palace and it was build using rosewood. The palace was constructed by the great Shivappa Naik who belonged to Keladi during the 16th century. The interior of the palace has many rare stone carvings and other relics that belonged to the period of Keladis. Although there are no other museums in Shimoga city, some small exhibitions and other fairs are organized by the local people in Shimoga city.Ancient religious deities arranged in a neat manner at the Shivappa Nayaka Palace Museum
Wildlife Sanctuaries in Shimoga
There are a number of wildlife sanctuaries in Shimoga. They are Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary and Sakrebailu Elephant Camp. So, a visit to this city will be incomplete without visiting these 4 beautiful wildlife sanctuaries.Parks and Gardens in Shimoga
Shimoga being the most beautiful city in the state of Karnataka has many numbers of parks and gardens that are located in every corner of Shimoga. The RML Nagra Park, Gandhi Nagar Park, Gandhi Park are some of the famous parks in Shimoga. One can also find a garden around the famous Shivappanaika Palace Museum. The sightseeing of the small parks and other gardens in Shimoga can be a pleasant one when the tourists are visiting it with their family members.Government provisions in Shimoga
Many strict regulations and rules have been made by the State Government of Karnataka in order to make way for a peaceful living in Shimoga city. The local people who are living in this city has been following the rules and regulations in an effective way and one can find a peaceful ambiance in and around Shimoga. All the people who are living in Shimoga have a knowledge about the rules and regulations that has been made by the State Government of Karnataka and they do act according to it. The local people are a peaceful lover and they do welcome the tourists who would visit Shimoga all around the year.Hotels in Shimoga
Shimoga has the best tourist spots in the State of Karnataka, which has made the city visited by many tourists all around the year. The need for hotels and lodges increased in the past few years as many tourists were visiting Shimoga to spend some good time with their family and to witness the natural beauty of Shimoga. This made way to the opening of many new hotels and lodges in and around Shimoga and it has the best accommodation facility that can satisfy the tourists who visit Shimoga.The tourists can easily find any type of hotel that can match their expectations. The Hotels in Shimoga have all the basic facilities like room heaters, hot shower, LCD monitors, internet connection with Wi-Fi, steam bath, spa, swimming pool and much more. The enquiry system and the help desk at the hotels are widely available twenty-four hours a day and one can easily drop a message at the front office. The following are some of the famous hotels in the city of Shimoga.
- Navrathana Hotel
- Hotel Samrat Ashok
- Royal Orchid Central Hotel
- Mathura Residency Hotel
- Hotel Bright
- Hotel Paval
- Hotel Jewel Rock
- Hotel Shubham
- Hotel Santhrupathi
- Surabhi Hotel
- Hotel Tara
- Mamatha Hotel
- Hotel Raj Prakash
- Hotel Mayura
- Shetty Hotel
- Sharada Hotel
- City in One Day
Weekend Getaways Near Shimoga
Weekend getaways in Shimoga are the ones that come under the tourist destinations that can be found very nearby to Shimoga. The following are some of the famous weekend getaways in Shimoga.Achakanya falls: Located about 10 km away from Shimoga and it has a spectacular leap that covers the whole falls.
Tunga Dam: Located at about 10 km from Shimoga.
Gajanur Dam: This dam is built on the Tunga river is one among the popular tourist spots of Shimoga
Sanctuaries: The Mandagadde bird sanctuary, Tyarekoppa lion safari, Gudavi bird sanctuary, and the Sakrebayalu elephant camp are some of the other weekened getaways in Shimoga.
The Gajanur Dam in Shimoga always finds a place in the weekend getaway list
One day trip from Shimoga
Shimoga city is situated exactly at the central part of Karnataka which makes tourists visit the city more often. Shimoga city has been well connected with other important cities in the state of Karnataka and it has many attractive places in and around it that can be visited all in one single day. The itenary for a single day trip from Shimoga has been mentioned below and one can easily choose the one day trip destination from it.- Shimoga to Adoni - 329 kilometers
- Shimoga to Chamrajanagar - 303 kilometers
- Shimoga to Davangere - 97 kilometers
- Shimoga to Harihar - 86 kilometers
Things to do in Shimoga
Shimoga city in the state of Karnataka has many falls and wild life sanctuaries that can attract any tourists to visit it more often all around the year. The Bhadra Dam, Kodachadri hill station and the Jog falls must be visited by every tourist who visit Shimoga city as it has the wonderful beauty of Mother Nature in it. While visiting Shimoga, never miss to take a ride on the highway. The ride on the highway can be a pleasant one and one can witness many plants and trees all around Shimoga. The Jog falls would look stunning during the rainy seasons. The Tyavarekoppa tiger and lion safari is very famous in Shimoga city and one should never miss to witness the tiger at this place. The most common thing that one can do while in Shimoga is to witness the real beauty of nature that can be found all around the city. One can also find many shops that contain the decorative items and other handicraft items that are made by the local people who live in the Shimoga city. The museum in Shimoga portrays the rich cultural heritage of the city.Distances from the city to nearby places
Shimoga is a small town in the state of Karnataka and one can easily visit the nearby places, as the weather condition in Shimoga is almost same all around the year. September and March are the best months to visit Shimoga city. The weather during these months can remain stable and it can be calm and a humid one. The distances to reach the nearby cities from Shimoga are mentioned below:- Shimoga to Mangalore- 142 Kilometers
- Shimoga to Hublie- 165 Kilometers
- Shimoga to Tumkur- 177 Kilometers
- Shimoga to Bellary- 200 Kilometers