Marikamba Temple

A town in Uttara Karnataka, is a hill station populated with 1,50,000 people. It is surrounded with thick green forest & with many waterfalls.  Supari (Arecanut or Betulnut), Pepper, cardamom are the main Commercial crops.In addition, paddy is grown in an ample quantity to cater to the local food requirement.

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 Maharashtra, 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.

Jog Falls

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 we 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 “Kadambotsava” is held every year.

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 Swamiji’, who is also known as “Green Swamiji” 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 :    a425 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