About Sirsi

Country: India | State: Karnataka

Ideal Trip Duration: 1-2 Days

Nearest City to Sirsi: Hubli (102 Kms)

Best Time to Visit Sirsi: October to March

Peak Season: October to November & January to March

At a distance of 84 km from Gokarna, 99 km from Shimoga, 100 km from Dandeli, 102 km from Hubli, 115 km from Karwar, 125 km from Murudeshwar, 196 km from Belgaum, 202 km from Panjim, 277 km from Mangalore, 376 km from Mysore, 395 km from Bangalore, and 588 km from Hyderabad, Sirsi is a small hill station located in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. It is the main commercial center and a business hub in the Malnadu region, and among the must include places in Karnataka tour packages.

Situated at an altitude of 2000 feet, Sirsi is a tourist destination that is surrounded by thick forests and towering hills. It is one of the most popular places to visit near Hubli. Sirsi is a place full of surprises and one can visit numerous religious spots, waterfalls, and forests replete with rich flora and fauna as part of Sirsi holiday packages. In the old times, Sirsi was ruled by the Sonda Dynasty and was known by the name of Kalyanapattana. Sirsi is one of the major trading centers for areca nut. The region is also known for spices such as cardamom, pepper, betel leaves, and vanilla.

This pristine hill station is also known as 'Gateway of Malenadu' or 'Gateway of Western Ghats'. This beautiful hill town is a popular weekend destination amongst locals. Unchalli Falls, Vibhuthi Falls, Marikamba Temple, Sri Mahaganapathi Temple, Magod Falls, Benne Hole Falls, Shivaganga Falls, Muregar Falls, Burude Falls, Mattighatta Falls, Manjuguni, Sahashralinga, Sodhe / Sonda, Devimane Ghat, Banavasi, and Gudavi Bird Sanctuary are some of the important tourist places in Sirsi.

Sirsi provides ample opportunities to trek on the many hills and mountains that surround the town. All the treks are rewarding with scenic beauty or mesmerizing waterfalls. Besides, the lush green forests of the Western Ghats that surround the city are home to a rich variety of flora and fauna. Dhole, Gaur, Slender Loris, Bonnet macaque, langur, are some of the rare species that can be seen along with a variety of frogs and snakes in the forest. Birds like Ruby-throated Bulbul, Indian Peafowl, owls, doves can be seen perched on trees chirping and making the place lively.

Sri Marikamba Jatra is the main festival held every alternate year in March at Sirsi. The fair attracts nearly 5 lakh devotees, tourists, and pilgrims from throughout Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Goa, and Maharashtra. It is said to be the most famous and biggest fair in the state of Karnataka. Amusements for children, a variety of shops, dramas and plays and many such things are set up for the people.

About 106 km from Sirsi, Hubli Airport is the nearest airport that has direct flights from Bangalore, and Mumbai. Goa Airport, about 200 km, is the nearest international airport to Sirsi. The nearest railway station is Hubli Junction which is about 102 km away from Sirsi and has trains from Goa, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kolhapur, Manuguru, Bijapur, Belgaum, Mysore, New Delhi, Mumbai, Gandhidham, Tirupati, Solapur, Udaipur, Ajmer, Ballari, Chennai, Tirunelveli, Pondicherry, Vijayawada, and Ernakulam. One can rent a car from there to reach Sirsi. Regular buses are run by KSRTC that will take you to Sirsi from Gokarna, Hubli, Shimoga, Talguppa, Bangalore, and Mysore.

The hill station of Sirsi offers all kinds of accommodation options right from budget hotels, resorts to luxury hotels. However, you can book your stay at Shimoga or Hubli that are home to numerous accommodation options for all budget sizes.

The best time to visit Sirsi is from January to March when the temperature is moderate making it easy for travelers to visit different attractions in and around Sirsi without any hassle. If you want to see most of the waterfalls in full glory, then the best time to visit Sirsi will be immediately after the rainy season that is from October to November. Do not plan your vacation during monsoon season because the roads get muddy and the trekking paths become slippery. Summer will be hot and humid.

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Other Info
Internet Availability: Average
STD Code: 08384
Languages Spoken: Hindi, Kannada & English
Major Festivals: Sri Marikamba Jatra
Notes/Tips:
None

How to Reach Sirsi

By Air

Nearest Airport: Hubli - Hubli Airport (106 Kms)

By Train

Nearest Train Station: Hubli (102 Kms)

By Bus

Nearest Bus Station: Sirsi Bus Station (0 Kms)

Top 10 Places to Visit in Sirsi

Pilgrimage

#1 of 29 Places to Visit in Sirsi

At a distance of 2.5 km from Sirsi Bus Stand, the Marikamba Temple is a Hindu temple located in Sirsi town of Karnataka, India. It is one of the prominent temples in Karnataka, and among the must include places in Sirsi Tour Packages.

Also known as Doddamma Temple, Marikamba Temple is dedicated to the goddess Durga, who is also called Renuka and Yellamma. It is one of the popular places to visit in Sirsi. The temple was built in the year 1688, and it is one of the important seats of shakti worship in Karnataka. The temple is highly regarded by devotees not just all over Karnataka but also in the neighboring states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. People of Uttara Kannada and Dakshina Kannada districts consider Goddess Marikamba as their family deity as they believe that Devi will destroy all evil forces and protect them from natural disasters.

The .....

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Pilgrimage

#2 of 29 Places to Visit in Sirsi

At a distance of 1 km from Marikamba Temple, and 3 km from Sirsi Bus Stand, the Mahaganapati Temple is a Hindu temple located at Rayarapete locality of Sirsi town in Karnataka, India. It is one of the prominent temples in Uttara Kannada, and among the best places to visit in Sirsi.

Sri Mahaganapathi Temple, also known as Dodda Ganapathi Temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. It is among the must include places in Sirsi Tour Packages. The temple houses the big Lord Ganesha Idol and is a famous attraction for devotees. The idol is about 183 cm in height, and 159 cm in width. According to history, this Ganesha Idol was made in 'Hoysala style' & it is approximately 400 years old. The original temple was built during the reign of the 'Sonda Empire', and was renovated later to its present form.

For those who believe in astrology but do not have a horoscope .....

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Pilgrimage

#3 of 29 Places to Visit in Sirsi

At a distance of 9 km from Sonda, and 14 km from Sirsi, Sahashralinga is a pilgrimage place situated near Hulgol in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. It is one of the popular places of pilgrimage in Uttara Kannada, and among the must-visit attractions in Sirsi.

Sahashralinga is an open-air temple having thousands of stones with Shiva Linga carved on them along the banks of the Shalmala River. According to history, these lingas were installed by Sadashivaraya, the king of Sirsi, sometime between 1678 and 1718. The unique thing about these lingas is that each linga features a carving of Nandi, the bull right in front. Some of the large rocks on the river bed also have carvings depicting mythological stories.

Every year, on the pious occasion of Maha Shivratri, devotees from across the state visit this place to perform Shiva puja. The place looks truly mysterious and gorgeous too at the same time when you get to see so many lingas together playing hide and seek with the river .....

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Adventure | Nature

#4 of 29 Places to Visit in Sirsi

At a distance of 24 km from Benne Hole Falls, 30 km from Kumta, 55 km from Sirsi, 86 km from Karwar, and 103 km from Jog Falls, Yana is a village in Uttar Kannada district in Karnataka. It is well known for the unique rock formations in the Western Ghats.

Among the most prominent places to visit in Jog Falls, Yana is famous for two massive rock formations known as the Bhairaveshwara Shikhara and the Mohini Shikhara. The huge rocks are composed of solid black, crystalline Karst limestone. Bhairaveshwara Shikhara is 120 m (390 feet) in height, while the Mohini Shikhara, which is smaller, is 90 m (300 feet) in height. A cave temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is found at the base of the Bhairaveshwara Shikhara. Water drips from the projecting rocks over the Shiva lingam, and people call this water Gangodbhava. The idol of Goddess Parvathi is found at the base .....

Distance (From Sirsi): 55 Kms
Trip Duration (From Sirsi - Including Travel): 4 Hours/Half Day
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Waterfall

#5 of 29 Places to Visit in Sirsi

At a distance of 30 km from Siddapura, 40 km from Unchalli Falls, and 64 km from Sirsi, Burude Falls is a stunning waterfall situated at Illimane village in Siddapur Taluk. It is one of the beautiful waterfalls in Karnataka, and among the must-visit tourist places in Sirsi.

Located in the Western Ghats of India, the Burude Waterfall is also known as Illimane Falls because it is formed of a rivulet called Illimane, the tributary of the Aghanasini River. This 90 feet waterfall descending into 5 different levels, and each level creates a separate natural pool at the base. The waterfall is famous for its breathtaking beauty and mesmerizing surroundings which consist of lush green forests. The waterfall gets frequent local visitors due to its proximity to Siddapur and is famous as a picnic spot that can be visited along with Sirsi Packages.

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Waterfall

#6 of 29 Places to Visit in Sirsi

At a distance of 22 km from Sirsi, and 29 km from Shivaganga Falls, Muregar Falls is a picturesque waterfall situated near Muregar village in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. It is one of the lesser-known waterfalls in Karnataka, and among the must include places in Sirsi Tour Packages.

Muregar Falls is also called 'Teppige falls' or Daggumane Falls. This waterfall is formed by a small stream known as 'Muregar Halla', the tributary of the Shalmala River. The waterfall is only about 30 feet in height but as far as its width is about 120 feet. During the monsoon, it presents a fearsome sight with rapids and powerful spray mist all around. As the rains recede, the fearsome look changes into a friendly soothing sight.

The waterfall is located on the Sirsi-Hulekal road. Once you reach Saalkani Cross (Kengre hole) which is 10 km away from Sirsi, take a diversion towards Saalkani and you reach Muregar cross. Take the right deviation and after 1.5 km you find the Duggumane .....

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Waterfall

#7 of 29 Places to Visit in Sirsi

At a distance of 43 km from Sirsi, Mattighatta Waterfall is a small picturesque waterfall situated near Mattighatta village in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. It is one of the lesser-known Karnataka Waterfalls, and among the must include places in Sirsi Tour Packages.

Popularly known as the Hasehalla Falls, Mattighatta Water Falls is a small waterfall formed by a string of few streams mainly the Hasehalla stream. It is one of the popular places to visit in Sirsi. It is a two-tiered waterfall amidst the dense forest and strong wall-like rocks. It cascades down from a height of about 350 feet into a large pool, and further pass into a narrow river canyon. Even in December, the river had enough water to make the waterfalls majestic. The high rising rocks on either side add to the beauty of the falls.

To .....

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Waterfall

#8 of 29 Places to Visit in Sirsi

At a distance of 18 km from Benne Hole Falls, and 30 km from Sirsi, Wate Halls Waterfall is a picturesque waterfall situated near Nilkund village in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. It is one of the lesser-known waterfalls in Karnataka, and among the must include places in Sirsi Tour Packages.

Waate Halla Fall is formed by a stream called Wate Hole, a tributary of the Aghanashini River. It cascades down from a height of around 100 feet. The stream Wate Hole falling from a height of around 100 feet in 3 stages to form an eye-catching waterfall in the Western Ghats of Karnataka. The locals named this fall Wate Hole / Wate Halla falls as Wate in Kannada stands for a variety of bamboo which can be seen in the surrounding forest area and Hole/Halla means a stream of water.

The waterfall is invisible from the top of the valley as it is fully covered with trees but one can hear the roaring sound during monsoon season. One has to descend the valley nearly 300 feet to reach .....

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Heritage | Pilgrimage

#9 of 29 Places to Visit in Sirsi

At a distance of 45 km from Sirsi, the Tarakeshwara or Tarakeshvara Temple is a Hindu temple complex located in Hangal, Karnataka. It is one of the ancient temples in the Malnad region of Karnataka, and among the top places to visit near Sirsi.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Tarakeshwara Temple dates back to the 12th century AD and is considered to be an architectural marvel. The temple was the most significant contribution of the Kadambas to the history of the town. However, the town and the temple came into prominence during the rule of Kalyani Chalukyas who were the most powerful in the Deccan region during their period. They made massive architectural innovations and additions to make it into the present form. It is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India.

Built with grey-green chloritic schist, the temple is a fine example of the typical Chalukyan style of architecture with influences of Dravidian and Nagara styles. The main temple consists of a Garbhgriha .....

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Heritage | Pilgrimage

#10 of 29 Places to Visit in Sirsi

At a distance of 27 km from Hangal, and 68 km from Sirsi, the Nagareshvara Temple is an ancient Hindu temple situated at Bankapura in the Haveri district of Karnataka. Located inside the ruined Bankapura Fort, it is one of the historical temples in Karnataka built by Western Chalukyas, and among the must-visit places near Sirsi.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Nagareshwara Temple was built in the 11th century in the Western Chalukya style. This eye-catching temple is also called Aravattu Kambada Gudi which means 60 pillars temple in Kannada. According to archaeologists, the temple suffered much damage when Bankapura fell to the armies of Firoz Shah Bahamani in 1406 CE and later again when it was occupied by the Bijapur Sultan Adil Shah. However, despite much plunder, the large temple with its majestic mandapa still retains some of its original beauty. The temple is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India.

The temple is constructed with soapstone and comprises .....

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