Jog Falls ~ Sharavathi Valley

Facts:

1. Distance: 458kms from Bangalore
2. Terrain: Greenery
3. Type: Forest, Meadows, and Water Streams
4. Total Trek/Hike Kms: 13-15kms (to&fro)
5. Forest Type: Sharavathi Wildlife Sanctuary.
6. Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate

Ways of Reaching Shivamogga: You need to either travel in Talaguppa inter-city SF Express train from Bangalore or take a bus route to Sagara from where it is 34kms to reach Shivamogga. 

 

To reach Sharavathi Valley:

 

By Air: The closest airport to this place is Kempegowda International Airport, which is about 350 kilometers away. The next closest one is Mangalore Airport which is around 140 kilometers approximately.

 

Rail: To reach Sharavathi Valley by rail, you can hop onto the train at Bangalore Railway Station or Mangalore Railway Station.

 

By Road: Driving down from Bangalore would be a good idea via Sagar. The other option is to take a bus to Sagar. Once you reach Sagar, Gubbagodu is just 20 odd kilometers from there.

 

About this Place: 

 

Sharavathi Valley is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the District of Shivamogga. If you are an ardent trekker/hiker this place is best suited as it is situated amidst river Sharavathi. This valley is surrounded by picturesque greenery and is located near the iconic Jog Falls.

 

Apart from the emerald green stretch of deciduous trees, there are a few magnificent waterfalls in this valley. They are Goodanagundi, Belligundi, Dabbe, and Bhimeshwara. The backwaters of the river Sharavathi have led to the formation of numerous islands. Declared as a Sharavathi Lion-tailed Macaque wildlife sanctuary by the government of Karnataka, this sanctuary is spread across the forests of Uttara Kannada and Shivamogga District. One of the protected sanctuaries, this is a dwelling place for a host of wild animals like Tiger, Spotted Deer, Sloth Bears, and Jackals.

 

 

 

A small number of endangered species like Lion-tailed Macaque, King Cobra, Pythons, Leaf Nosed Bats, Hornbills as well as wild boars can also be spotted in this valley. The best season to visit this place is from October to February. Meghane is the highest peak in the entire Sharavathi Valley. You can experience a spectacular panoramic view of the entire Sharavathi Valley and also the Arabian Sea from the zenith of this peak.

 

 

Origin of Sharavathi Valley: 

 

 

This valley got its name from the river Sharavathi. Sharavathi river got originated in Ambutheertha of the Thirthahalli Taluk. According to the legend, as Goddess Sita Devi was thirsty, Lord Sri Rama shot an arrow to the ground to get water. This pool of water quenched the thirst of the Goddess and came to be called Ambu Theertha from then on. The 128-kilometers long Sharavathi River forms the famous Jog Falls and joins the Arabian Sea in the Honnavara region.  

 

Sharavathi Valley Trekking Trails: 

 

 

Valley of Sharavathi is a paradise for trekkers/hikers. There are two trails. In the first trail, you can begin trekking/hiking from Karni and head towards the Belligundi stream and waterfalls. If you are tired and would like to camp in one of the tribal houses, then you need to trek further to Padubeedu. However, in the second trail, start trekking/hiking from Bheemeshwara cross to visit Bheemeshwara waterfalls. From there you can trek and reach Meyalli to explore Halgodu, Kanoor forest, river Sharavathi, and Dabbe Falls.

 

 

There is a hill called Basavanabayi near the Sharavathi Valley. It has a temple on the peak. A stream flows near this temple, and a waterfall provides the backdrop to this peak.

 

 

Activities and Sight-Seeing at Sharavathi Valley: 

 

 

Other than trekking/hiking, this valley has lots to offer for nature lovers, and travel enthusiasts. Here are a few sight-seeing places to tour around this Valley. 

 

 

They are:

 

 

• Jog Falls: The trip to the Sharavathi Valley is never complete without visiting Jog Falls. This majestic waterfall on the river Sharavathi is the second largest waterfall in India and 13th in the world as per Wikipedia. Waterfalls from the height of 830 feet making it the third-highest waterfall in India. There is also a dam called Linganamakki across this river. This dam is famous for power generation. There are four waterfalls associated with Jog Falls. They are Raja, Rani, Roarer, and Rocket. Water sports at Shirur tank is just a km away from Jog falls towards Kargal. Eight km from here there is a balancing reservoir at Talakale dam. Here Jungle lodges provide water sports like kayaking, pedal boat, motorboat facilities.

• Camping: You can unwind yourself camping at the backwaters of the Sharavathi river. Here you can spend time bird watching, star-gazing, and try your hand in cooking your favorite barbecue delicacies at the base.

• Reservoir Island: This island of Honnemaradu lies within Sagar Taluk of Shivamogga District. It is well known for offering water sport activities like Kayaking, Windsurfing, or Canoeing, and also a good place for bird-watchers.

• Sigandur Chowdeshwari Temple: Sigandur Chowdeshwari temple is located at 40kms from Sagar city, 140kms from Shivamogga, and 500kms from Bangalore. One of the renowned places to worship in South India, this Shri Kshetra was built in the 18th century. It is situated on the banks of the Sharavathi River. To reach this ancient temple, you need to opt for a ferry ride run by the government. A cab can be hired in Sagara or you can take a bus from Sagara to reach the ferry point. It’s a 20 min ferry ride to cross the backwater which is enchanting with view of the western ghats around. Sigandur Chowdeshwari is considered a very powerful deity. If prayed honestly, one can get guaranteed positive results. It is also believed that many legal issues get solved in this temple, without going to the court of justice. Ashada Pooja performed during the month of June-July is very special here. Thousands of devotees travel to this temple to be a part of this pooja. Tourist accommodations are provided in the temple premises, if not you need to check-in some private lodges like MSS Guesthouse, Hotel Green Embassy etc…
• Timings of Sigandur Chowdeshwari Temple are: It will be open on all seven days of the week from 3:30AM-7AM, 8AM-2:30PM, and 5:30PM-7:30AM. Visit Duration: 30 minutes.

• Kanoor Kote(Fort): This fort is also called as Govardhanagiri Kote as it is located on the Govardhanagiri hillock is a remote military fort situated in the hearts of Sharavathi Valley. The fort was built by Rani Channabairavi around the 16th century during the rule of Keladi kings. Rani Channabairavi used this fort as a military hideout that housed numerous soldiers. Also referred to as the pepper queen, the Rani was brave and ruled from her capital—Gersoppa. Trekkers should make sure to carry food before going on an expedition to this place. This fort is now situated inside the Sharavathi Valley wildlife sanctuary. Therefore a permit from the Deputy Conservator of forest at Shivamogga will be required to visit the area. Camping is restricted here.

• Ikkeri Aghoreshwara Temple: Ikkeri is a historical village located in Sagara Taluk about 6kms to the South of Sagara town in Shivamogga district. This place was the capital of Keladi Nayakas. Aghoreshwara temple in Ikkeri was built in the 16th century and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. When you visit this temple, you can even have darshan of various other Gods in the same complex.

• Rameshwara Temple: This temple in Keladi is an 11kms drive from Ikkeri. The temple dates back to 16th century, and was constructed in a Hoysala-Dravidian style of architecture. 

• Chandragutti: Chandragutti is known for its fort and temple dedicated to Goddess Renukamba Devi who was the mother of the sage Parashurama. 

• Keladi Rameshwara Temple: Keladi Rameshwara Temple is one of the oldest places of worship in the town of Keladi. Located 8kms from Sagar in Shivamogga district, it was built during the time of Vijayanagara Empire. Built by the Keladi ruler Chowdappa Nayaka, this temple is dedicated to Lord Rameshwara, Goddess Parvathi, and Lord Veerabhadreshwara. Even this temple was built in a Hoysala-Dravidian style of architecture.  The specialty of the Parvati temple is its magnificent ceiling that is covered with intricate flower patterns carved from wood. 

• Unchalli Falls: Unchalli falls also known as Lushington Falls is situated near Yellapur which is 54kms from Jog Falls. This waterfall is termed Mini Niagara falls or Keppa Falls. Flowing from the height of 380 feet, it takes 30-minutes to trek. Formed by the Aghanashini river, this fall is situated amidst the dense forest.

• Apsarakonda Falls: This beautiful waterfall is located in a village known as Apsarakonda in Honnavara taluk of Uttara Kannada district. The waterfall cascades from a height of 50feet. It takes 67 kilometers from Jog falls to reach this place.

• Murudeshwar: Situated at 87.6 kilometers from Jog falls, this is a town in Bhatkal taluk of Uttara Kannada district. The world’s second-largest statue of Lord Shiva is found in this place. The statue is of a height of 123ft. Murudeshwar temple is constructed on the Kanduka hill which is surrounded by the Arabian Sea from all three sides. Temple’s RajaGopuram is a 20-story structure. For a spectacular view of the Lord, a lift has been installed by the temple authorities. This temple is an abode of Sri Lokankara. There is also a Rameshwara linga at the bottom of the hill where devotees can perform the pooja themselves and a Shaneshwara temple has been built next to the idol of Sri Akshayaguna. You can as well find statues of Sun Chariot on side of a park, pool, statues depicting Arjuna receiving Geetopadesham from Lord Krishna, Ravana being tricked by Ganesha in disguise, Shiva’s manifestation as Bhaghirnath, and descending Ganga, carved around the hill. 

• Sahasra Linga: Situated at 71.8kms from the Jog falls, Sahasralingeshwara temple is located on the banks of the river Nethravathi and Kumaradhara. Sahasra means thousand in Sanskrit. Hence we can find 1000 self-manifested Shivalingas in this religious place.

•  Sirsi Maarikamba Temple: Located at 56.7kms from the Jog falls, this temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga Devi. It is also known as Marigudi. Here in this temple Durga Devi is also called as “Doddamma” which means “elder sister” of all Mariammas in Karnataka. The central icon is an eight-armed image of Durga Devi, also known by the names Renuka and Yellamma.

• Yana: Yana is a Uttara Karnataka village located in the forests of a place called Kumta.Its unusual karst lime rock formation makes this place a renowned trekking/hiking spot. Situated in the midst of the Sahyadri Mountain range, Yana is well known for its two mammoth shikharas (Mountains) called Bhairaveshwara Shikhara and Mohini Shikhara

Resort/Lodge nearby: 

 

 

Sharavathi Adventure Camp Jungle Lodges, Talakale Dam Jungle Lodges near Jog Falls, KSTDC Hotel and Lodge near Jog Falls, and Yatrinivas Hotel near Rani Falls, etc…

 

 

 

For more detailed information and queries regarding this beautiful Sharavathi Valley, please visit our website at – www.chaloghummne.com