Paddy Fields of Malnad, Skywatch Friday

Shimoga, popularly known as "The Gate way of Malnad", is surrounded by paddy fields, arecanut and coconut groves. Here are few pics clicked during our visit to Shimoga.

Linked to Skywatch Friday

The Magnificent Jog Falls

It was more than a decade back, when I visited Jog Falls last. And now it was hubby who forced me to plan a trip to this magnificant place after having a look of the falls at India Travel Blog, by Poorna and Brinda. From Koodli Sangama, we drove to Sagara, had lunch and headed to jog falls. A 105km drive from Shimoga leads you to Jog Falls.

Jog Falls, the second highest waterfall in India, is located in Sagar Taluk in Karnataka. Located in dense forest, the falls form a spectacular cascade as river Sharavati falls in four segments named Raja, Rani, Roarer and Rocket from different heights. The falls are at their best if you visit during monsoon. Our visit during October had this quite a beautiful sight.

 

The magnificent view can be enjoyed standing opposite to the fall. If interested you can trek down to the deep pool at the bottom of the fall, when the sluice gates of upstream Linganmakki Dam are closed.  

A km drive from a deviated rout before the falls, leads you to the top of the falls. Though there is strick security prohibiting you from reaching the water(due to few mishaps in recent days), you can enjoy altogether a different view of the fall from here.

Travel Tips:

How to reach:

By Road: Sagara - 45km, Honnavara - 56km, Shimoga - 105km, Bangalore - 378km

By Rail: Shimoga - 105km

By Air: Mangalore - 180km

Accomadation: There is Karnataka Holidays hotel right opposite to the falls. You can also opt for a stay at Sagara or Shimoga.

Koodli, Tunga-Bhadra Sangama

Continued from Shivappa Nayaka Palace, Shimoga

Koodli is a small village in Shimoga District. This is the place where rivers Tunga and Bhadra meet, and then on flow together as Tungabhadra. Hence the name Koodali, which means meet in Kannada. A small temple with nandi denotes the exact point where the two rivers meet, and is considered to be sacred.

As we entered the place a priest asked us to perform special worship to the river, which we ignored and enjoyed the beauty. Just like in any Sangama, due to death rituals performed here, there are so many people behind you demanding bakshish(money).

 At the sangama is a 12th century Rameshwara temple and Narasimha temple built in Hoysala style.

Koodli has Smartha Monastery, stated to have been found in 16th century by Jagadguru Narsimha Bharathi Swamigalu of Sringeri. Within the premises of the matt are the shrines of Sharadamba and Shankaracharya. Koodli is also known as Varanasi of the south, it is home to Rushyashrama, Brahmeshwara, Narasimha and Rameshwara temples.  

Koodli is 15kms from Shimoga and is accessible by road.

Shivappa Nayaka Palace, Shimoga

We have been visiting Shimoga on our way to native. This time we planned of exploring this place, during our visit. So we got down at Shimoga and joined our parents from native. Our plan was to start off with Sakrebailu Elephant Camp, but due to delay of our bus, we had to change our travel plan and thought of visiting Shivappa Nayaka Palace. Thanks to Shrinidhi Hande and Anuradha Shankar's blogs, for, we got to know about this Palace.

Unfortunately we visited on a state holiday and the museum was closed, on request we were just allowed within the campus.

Built in 16th century, this was used by Keladi Nayakas as summer sojourn. The palace under went several renovations to take its present form and is presently under ASI. The structure is a two storey building, with rosewood carvings.

The campus has a collection of stone structure and monuments in a very well maintained garden.

Few Jain monuments,

The palace is with in city limits on Kote Road. There is no entry fee and the Palace is closed on Public Holidays.

Look for: Koodli Tunga-Bhadra Sanagama