Shimoga District
Shimoga District is in southern part of
Karnataka state in
India. The district has an area of 10,553 sq. km. and a population of 1,642,545 of which 34.76% was urban as of 2001. The town of
Shimoga (ಶಿವಮೊಗ್ಗ in Kannada, locally known as Shivamogga) located on the banks of river Tunga is the administrative headquarters of the district and is located about 274 Km. from Bangalore. Shimoga city is an important industrial and commercial center now in the state.
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Mahisha Mardhini - A 12th. century monument in the backyard of Shivappa Nayaka's Palace |
Shimoga district is a part of naturally rich
Malnad region of
Karnataka. It is also known as "Gateway to Malnad or
Malenaada Hebbagilu in Kannada. It is bounded by
Haveri to the northeast,
Davanagere to the east,
Chikmagalur to the southeast,
Udupi to the southwest, and
Uttara Kannada to the northwest. The
Western Ghats or
Sahyadri range and the numerous rivers that originate there provide Shimoga with abundant natural beauty. The numerous lakes, ponds and water bodies make it very suitable for agriculture. Shimoga is called the rice bowl of Karnataka. Several rivers originate here including
Tunga,
Bhadra which are large tributaries of river Krishna ,
Sharavati,
Kumudvati, Varada and others.
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Jog Falls - Highest waterfalls in Asia |
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* Shimoga
* Soraba
*
Sagara* Hosanagara
*
Thirthahalli* Shikaripura
* Bhadravathi
The history of Shimoga is very much the history of Karnataka itself, considering that all the great Kingdoms that came to power here have vied for control of and ruled this land of rich resources. Prior to the begining of the first millenium, Shimoga formed a part of the
Mayura empire. The
Shatavahana then came to control in central India and Shimoga must have formed one of the southern most provinces of the kingdom. After the fall of the Shatavahana empire around 200 C.E., after a brief interlude of confusion that existed, the area came under the control of the
Kadambas of Banavasi around 345 C.E. The Kadambas were the earliest kingdom to give administrative status to
Kannada language. Banavasi is just across the border from Shimoga inside
Uttara Kannada district. Later the Kadambas became feudatories of the Badami
Chalukyas aroud
540 C.E.. Shimoga passed into the hands of the
Rashtrakutas in the 8th. century. It was only under the Kalyani Chalukyas who overthrew the Rashtrakutas did Shimoga come into prominance in Southern India. Balligavi in Shimoga district had its greatest and grandest time during there rule. Later in the 12th. century with the weakening of the Kalyani Chalukyas the
Hoysalas annexed this area. Shimoga continued to play an important role in the development of Kannada culture and arts during this time. After the fall of the Hoysalas to the invasion of the Khilji dynasty around 1343 C.E. the entire region came under the
Vijayanagar Empire without any bloodshed. The Saluva kings of the Vijayanagar empire find their roots in this region. After the defeat of Vijayanagar empire in 1565 C.E. in the battle of Tallikota, Shimoga had one more last surprise in that the local
Keladi Nayakas who were originally feudatory of the Vijayanagar empire took control, declared soverignity and ruled mostly as an independend kingdom for about two centuries, often waging wars with the
Mysore Kingdom, the Sultans of
Bijapur and finally the
Maratha. In
1763 they were finally absorbed into the Kingdom of Mysore and remained a part of it till independence from the British.
Shimoga District is mostly dependent on its rich agricultural pastures for income. Paddy is the most commonly grown produce. Tourism to Jog falls, Balligavi, Gudavi, Ikkeri, Keladi and Banavasi are the second main cash earners. Handicrafts from Sagara and Soraba also bring in some income.
Shimoga district is considered as the heartland of Kannada language and culture. It has contributed two of the greatest Kannada scholars of modern times,
Kuvempu and
U.R. Ananthamurthy, both of whom are
Jnanpith awardees.
K.V. Subbanna is the
Magasaysay award winner for drama and humanities.
Girish Kasaravalli has won more national and
Swarna Kamal awards for Kannada classic movies than any other living film director in India, thus enriching Kannnda film industry and Kannda culture in general. Shimoga continues to produce prolific Kannada scholars, novelists, film directors, dramatists and statesman. Overwhelming majority of the people speak Kannada as their native language and just about everybody speaks it anyway.
Legends compare 12th. century
Balligavi in Shikaripura taluk to Lord Indras Amaravathi or Lord Kuberas Alakavathi. Balligave was the centre of learning, secular arts, commerce and sculpture. The town had thirteen education centers, fifty four temples of which only a few survive today, tweleve
Jain basadis, three
Buddhist viharas and many majestic palaces, lakes, wide roads and a population of about sixty thousand. Archaeological evidence points to existance of Balligavi as early as the Shatavahanas. Balligavi was the center of many religions like
Shaiva and
Vaishnava Hinduism, Brahmi, Shaktha,
Jain,
Buddhism.The
Kedareshwar temple (
1060 C.E.) in Chalukya-Hoysala style,
Tripurantkeswar temple (
1070 C.E.),
Gandabherundeswar temple (
1070 C.E.) in later Chalukya style in Balligavi and the
Aghoreshwara temple at
Ikkeri and the
Rameshwara temple at
Keladi both built in the 17th. century by the
Keladi Nayakas are silent reminders of a glorious past. The Nayakas have used a variety of styles from predecessor kingdoms like the late Kadambas, Hoysala and even dravida styles. Balligavi was also the native place of Shantaladevi, queen of Hoysala
Vishnuvardhana. Many sculptors who worked for the Hoysalas to build the famous temples at Belur and Halebid came from here including Dasoja, Malloja, Nadoja, Siddoja. During the
Virashaiva movement, Balligavi contributed great
Vachanakaras like
Allama Prabhu who was born here and other like
Akka Mahadevi, Animishayya and Mukthayakka who were also associated with this place.
Rivers, dams and water falls
*
Jog Falls These falls have amazing beauty and is the highest falls (in a single leap) in Asia and ninth highest falls in the world.
Jog Falls, situated 113 km. away from Shimoga city, close to the border with
Uttara Kannada district bears witness to natures headlong tumble as the Sharavati river makes a spectacular drop of 965 feet in four distinct cascades known locally as
Raja, "Rani", "Roarer" and "Rocket" to create the highest waterfalls in Asia. The falls are at their best during the
monsoon with arching rainbows colouring the mist.
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Linganamakki dam across the Sharavati river
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Vanake-Abbey is a scenic water fall, though small in size.
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Bhadra River project and dam across the river Bhadra at Lakkavalli is 194 ft. high.
*
Koodli literaly means
coming together where the two rivers
Tunga and Bhadra join and become
Tunga Bhadra river, one of the largest tributaries if the river Krishna. Koodli has some quaint temples and a 16th century smartha monastery and a 14th century
Shankaracharya Math*
Achakanya falls across the Sharavati river half way between Shimoga and Jog falls.
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Ambuteertha is the source of the river Sharavathi.
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Varadamoola where the river Varada originates and joins Tunga and Bhadra at Sagara
Hill Stations and Adventure
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Agumbe west of Shimoga city can be reached at a distance of 90 km. The altitude here is 826 meters and is famous for enchanting Sunsets. as the Sun sets, it takes different colours and shapes and this is reflected by the Arabian sea.
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Kavaledurga' is a magnificent fort located on a hill at an altitude of 5056 feet.
*
Kodachadri Hills is 115 km. from Shimoga city. At an altitude of 1411 ft. this hill station provides great views of the forests of the
western ghats in Shimoga and
south Canara districts. This good weekend getaway is only now being discovered by those other than hardy trekkers.
*
Kundadri has unique rock formations and has good views
History and Religion
*
Shimoga fort is mostly in ruins but a well renovated Hoysala temple of
Seetharamanjaneya is worth visiting.
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Shivappa Nayaka Palace and Museum is located right in the city of Shimoga itself. The palace built by the 17th. century ruler Shivappa Nayaka contains many interesting pieces of sculpture and artifacts from that period.
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Government Museum in the city contains many ancient coins, manuscripts and inscriptions for the historically inclined.
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Bhadravathi town is called "steel town" for its steel industries. The
Lakshminarasimha temple of 13th. century Hoysala style is woth a visit.
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Chandragutti in Soraba taluk is a short distance from Balligavi. The fort built by Banavasi Kadambas and the
Renukamba temple are the places to see.
*
Humcha is a Jain pilgrimage place with 10th and 11th century
Panchakuta basadi, Padmavathi temple and Jain Math which are worth visiting.
*
Church of the Sacred Heart is in the city itself and is the second largest in
India*
Kubetoor has several Kalyani Chalukyan temples. The
Kedareshvara temple is the best.
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Nagara was the last capital of the Keladi Kings. The Hyder Ali tank,
Neelakanteshwara and
Venkataramana temple are of interest here.
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Sagara and Soraba are famous for their wood carvings and handicrafts. They have a long history of the art.
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Talagunda is a place of high importance for those who are arcaeologically minded. This place has several ancient temples and has unvailed very important inscriptions including the famous 450 C.E. "Talagunda inscription" of Shantivarman, an early Kadamba king. The inscription is in
Prakrit language and has given historians very useful information about the Kadamba Kingdom and its history.
*
Uduthadi, birth place of Virashaiva saints
Akka Mahadevi and Vaitagyanidhi.
Wildlife
*
Sharavathi and Someshvara Wildlife Sanctuary are rich in wildlife and these areas are included in the proposed
UNESCO World Heritage site list provided by the Indian Government to the U.N.
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Tavarekoppa has a lion and tiger Safari on the same lines as the Bannerghatta safari park near Bangalore.
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Sakkarebailu is elephant training camp. Early in the morning elephants come to bathe and drink water from the stream.
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Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary. While this sanctuary is mostly in
Chikmagalur, it covers a part of the
Bhadravathi taluk.
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Gudavi bird Sanctuary located near Jog falls is one of the best in the state. A total of 191 species of birds have been spotted here in the natural lake. May through October is the right time to go here. The sanctuary covers about 0.74 sq. km.
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Mandagadde bird sanctuary is 30km. from Shimoga city going south-west. The sanctuary has many leafless trees which become a heaven for migratory birds between July and October.
Image:Shimoga kedareshwara temple.JPG|Kedareshwara temple, Balligavi, Shimoga DistrictImage:Balligavi Kedareshwara kirti.JPG|Vimana with Kirti Mukha, Kedareshwara temple, Balligavi, Shimoga DistrictImage:Balligavi Kedareshwara profile.JPG|Profile, Kedareshwara temple, Balligavi, Shimoga DistrictImage:Balligavi Kedareshwara walldecor .JPG|Wall decoration, Kedareshwara temple, Balligavi, Shimoga DistrictImage:Balligavi Kedareshwara walldecor1.JPG|Wall decoration, Kedareshwara temple, Balligavi, Shimoga DistrictImage:Ikkeri Aghoreshwara closeup.JPG|Aghoreshwara temple, Ikkeri, Shimoga DistrictImage:Ikkeri Aghoreshwara closeup1.JPG|Aghoreshwara temple, Ikkeri, Shimoga DistrictImage:Ikkeri aghoreshwara kadambapillars1.JPG|Aghoreshwara temple mantapa, Ikkeri, Shimoga DistrictImage:Ikkeri Aghoreshwara wallcarving.JPG|Outer wall carving, Aghoreshwara temple, Ikkeri, Shimoga DistrictImage:Shimoga Thirpuranthakeshwara mantapa3.JPG|mantapa, Thirpuranthakeshwara temple, Balligavi, Shimoga DistrictImage:Shimoga Thirpuranthakeshwara temple.JPG|Thirpuranthakeshwara temple, Balligavi, Shimoga DistrictImage:Keladi Rameshwara gandaberunda.JPG|Gandaberunda roof sculpture, Rameshwara temple, Keladi, Shimoga DistrictIndustries
* Vishweshwaraya Iron and Steel Limited (VISL),
Bhadravathi* Mysore Paper Mills Limited (MPM),
Bhadravathi*
Kuvempu, National poet and
Jnanpith Award winner.
* U R Ananthamurthy, Kannada novelist, and winner of Jnanpith award.
* Prafulla Chandra, agricultural scientist.
* P. Lankesh, writer-journalist.
*
Girish Kasaravalli, film director and National award winner.
* Ha. Ma. Nayaka, columist and winner of sahithya academy award.
*
K.V. Subbanna, dramatist, Magasaysay award winner
* Dr. H. S. Eshwara, professor of mass communication.
* Chi. Su. Krishna Shetty, artist and art critic
* Nagappa Setty, freedom fighter.
* K.G.Wodeyar, freedom fighter and former MP.
* Prof MD Nanjundaswamy a leading architect of the farmers movement.
* Dr. Ashok Pai, psychiatrist
* S Bangarappa, former Chief Minister of
Karnataka* J.H Patel, former Chief Minister of
Karnataka* Kadidal Manjappa, former Chief Minister of
Karnataka* K.S Eshwarappa, Minsiter for Water Resources,Karnataka
*
B.S. Yediyurappa, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka
* D.H.Shankar Murthy, Higher Education Minister of Karnataka
* Kagodu Thimmappa, politician, Senior Congress Leader
* Haratalu Halappa, politician, Senior Samajavadi Party Leader
* Shanthaveri Gopala Gowda, Leader of socialist movement
* Kadidal Shamanna, farmer leader of Rithasanga.
* K. S. Gopinath, legal expert and top executive of Reliance communications
* Arun, journalist and principal correspondent, New Indian express
* K V Lalithamma Sportsperson
* Hosahalli R. Keshava Murthy,
Gamaka Artist and Singer
* Poorna Chandra Tejaswi, Kuvempu's son and writer
* Late T.S.Ramachandra Rao, Noted Editor of 'Prajavani' (Kannada Daily)
* Late M.K.Indira, Wellknown Novelist and many how her novels have become pictures.
* Na. D Souza, Novelist
* Late S.V.Parameshwara Bhatta, Novelist
* Justice. M. Rama Jois, Former Judge of Supreme Court and Former Governor of Jharkhand
* Nambala.D.Venkatesh Former Judge of High Court and Law secretary of state.
* Mattur Krishnamurthy, Associated with Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, London. Writer and Novelist.
* Shimoga Subbanna, famous light music singer
* Raghu Hanasavadi Basavarajappa, Wellknown Kannada Novelist
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Keladi Nayakas
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Jog Falls*
Bhadravathi*
Census*
Agumbe on Dreamroutes*
Kodachadri on Dreamroutes*
Honnemardu adventure on Dreamroutes*
Kanoor Fort on Dreamroutes*
Mandagadde on Dreamroutes *
Shimoga Tourism
