Excursions

16 Kms from Shimoga, a place where rivers Tunga and Bhadra embrace and flow together. Koodali is a cultural place with rich heritage and temples around. It has the noted Smartha Monastery stated to have been founded in the 16th century by Jagadguru Narsimha Bharathi Swamigalu of Sringeri. Within the premises of the matha, there are shrines of Sharadamba and Shankaracharya. Outside, there are two temples of Hoysala times dedicated to Rameshvara and Narasimha. Koodali is also known as Varanasi of the south, it is home to Rushyashrama, Brahmeshwara, Narasimha and Rameshwara temples.

This magnificent fort on a hill is 16 Kms from Thirthahalli.

Ikkeri is situated 76 Kms to the north of Shimoga and about 3 kms to the south of Sagar taluka. The word means "Two Streets". This place was the capital of Keladi Nayakas for some years. The walls of the city were of great extent, forming three concentric enclosures. In the citadel was the palace build of mud and timber, adorned with carvings and false gildings. The only vestige of the former greatness of Ikkeri is the temple of Aghoreshvara, a large and well-proportioned stone building, constructed in a mixed style with a unique conception.

54 kms from Shimoga city is a renowned Jain Pilgrimage centre. The main attraction of Humcha is the Padmavathi Amma's temple. The Panchakuta Basadi (Jain temple) of 10th & 11th Century and Jain Mutt are other places of interest.

Chandragutti is situated in between Soraba taluka and Siddapura. The histrolical place and pilgrimage centre of Renukamba. The place was earlier known as Chandragupta Pura, Chandragutti pete, Gutti pete. 16 Kms from Soraba taluka, 848 mtrs above mean sea level on a rocky mountain bed one can find this place.

35 Kms to the north of Shikaripura, a place famous for basadis and temples is Bandalika. Here you can find sculptures and writtings of Rastrakutas and Kadambas period. Other places of interest are Shantinath basadi, Sahasralinga Temple and Someshwara threemurthy temples.

This historical place is situated 21 Kms from Shikaripura taluka. This place is also known, as Dakshina Kedara was the capital of Banawasi rulers in the 12th century. The place is associated with several eminent Veershaiva saints like Allama prabhu, Akka-Mahadevi, Animishayya and Ekantada Ramayya. There are remains of many temples, shrines, mastikals, viragals and nisidigals.

This place is situated 6 km from the town where one has to take a diversion from Jog Road soon after the end of the town limits. It is famous for the samadhi of His Holiness Sri Sridhara Swami who was among the great saints of 20th century.

Sorab anglicized version of Soraba is a panchayat town in Shimoga district Soraba is also nearest town to Banavasi other than Sirsi, Karnataka which was capital of Kadambas during 9th century, and has pachalingeshwara temples in a small village of Heche karnataka and is more of historical interest to many enthusiasts who come under archeological survey.

Keladi was the first capital of Keladi Nayakas. The place is 6 Kms to the north of Sagar taluka. At almost the northern end of the village, there is a large courtyard, which is enclosed, in modern tiled verandah. In the middle of the courtyard stand 3 temples Rameshvara temple, which is in the centre, Veerbhadreshvara temple, which is to the right, and the Parvati temple, which is to the left. The Rameshvara & Veerbhadreshvara temples are a mixed pattern of Hoysala & southern or Dravidian style. The Parvati temple is a small building, which has old back portion built of stone and the front modern portion built of brick. There is also a well-maintained Keladi Museum, which has a collection of copper inscriptions, palm leaves and coins from Nayaka's period.