Shivaganga Falls is a serene waterfall situated in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. Surrounded by thick evergreen forests, Shivaganga Falls is one of the most beautiful and famous waterfalls in the Western Ghats. It is created by a small Shalmali, also known as Sonda River, near Sirsi city in Karnataka. The beautiful Shivaganga Falls cascades down from a height of 74 m into a deep valley. Nestled amidst the verdant forests and a beautiful valley below, the mesmerizing Falls present a picturesque view. Though the popularity of Shivganga Falls is overshadowed by the famous Jog Falls, it still scores high for being pure, pristine and less travelled. One can enjoy swimming, trekking and camping at the falls.
About Shivaganga Falls
Image Credit: Incredible Karnataka for Facebook
Away from the hullabaloo of city life and habitation, Shivaganga Falls can be seen in all its splendour. It is situated near Sirsi city in Karnataka, best known for the famous Marikamba Temple, or the temple of Goddess Shakti, built in the early 16th century AD. There is a small island near the Shivaganga Falls known as Ganeshpal Island. The name is derived from Lord Ganesha due to the presence of a mural of Lord Ganesha inside a small temple here. The sight of clear water gushing down from a height of 74 metres, surrounded by large rocks and slopes, is exhilarating. The tranquil river surrounded by lush green views looks captivating. The Karnataka Forest Department has built several viewpoints that offer beautiful views of the valley and the Shivaganga waterfall from a distance.
Must Read: Places To Visit In Sirsi
The Best Route To Reach
Image Credit: Photos Worldwide for Wikimedia Commons
Shivaganga Falls is 442 km from Bangalore and 37 km from Sirsi city. From Sirsi, one can take a cab or bus to Kodnagadde, about 5 km from the Falls. From here, one has to walk more than 1 km amidst the forest to reach the Shivaganga Falls. It is also very adventurous, as one has to cross a thick forest to reach the falls.
Places To See Near Shivaganga Falls
Here are some of the best places to visit near Shivaganga Falls that you can also include to your itinerary:
1. Shree Swarnavalli Matha
Image Credit: Outlander07 for Wikimedia Commons
Shree Swarnavalli Matha is located on the bank of Shalmala River and is surrounded by areca and coconut gardens, evergreen forests, hillocks, valleys, paddy fields, rivulets and several historical monuments. It is about 20 Km away from Sirsi in Karnataka.
Address: Mathadevala, Sonda, Sirsi, Karnataka-581336, India
Opening hours: Open 24 hours
Distance from Shivaganga Falls: 30.6 km
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Shimoga Within 100 kms
2. Sahasralinga
Image Credit: Snehrashmi for Wikimedia Commons
Sahastralinga is a pilgrimage place located 14 km from the Sirsi Taluk in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. It is in the river Shalmala and is famous for around a thousand lingas carved on rocks in the river and on its banks.
Address: PR94+WXV, Sadashivalli, Karnataka-581402, India
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
Distance from Shivaganga Falls: 34 km
3. Shri Marikamba Devi Temple
Image Credit: Prashant Shetty for Wikimedia Commons
Shri Marikamba Devi Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Marikamba Devi, located in Sirsi, Karnataka. It is also known as Marigudi Temple. It was built in 1688. It is believed that Sirsi Shri Marikamba Devi is the “elder sister” of all Marikamba Devis in Karnataka.
Address: Sirsi-Banavasi Road, Sirsi, Karnataka 581402, India
Opening Hours: 6 am-9 pm
Distance from Shivaganga Falls: 36.7 km
Suggested Read: Nisargadhama Deer Park
4. Shree Manjuguni Venkataramana Temple
Image Credit: Kuldeep S for Wikimedia Commons
Shree Manjuguni Venkataramana Temple is a sacred Hindu temple situated at Manjuguni in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. One of the popular places of pilgrimage in Uttara Kannada, it is 13 km from Benne Hole Falls and 28 km from Sirsi.
Address: At and Post Manjuguni Taluk, Sirsi District, Manjaguni, Karnataka-581315, India
Opening Hours: 6 am – 12.30 pm, & 4 pm – 8.30 pm
Distance from Shivaganga Falls: 51.7 km
5. Shri Madhukeshvara (Banavasi) Temple
Image Credit: Ajaya.n.g for Wikimedia Commons
Shri Madhukeshwara, or Banavasi Temple, is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located in Banavasi, 24 km from the nearest city, Sirsi.
Address: G2P9+43P, Ratha Beedi, Banavasi, Karnataka-581318, India
Opening Hours: 6.30 am to 8:30 pm
Distance from Shivaganga Falls: 59.5 km
Suggested Read: Gokarna Beach Resorts
6. Unchalli Waterfalls
Image Credit: Plhegde for Wikimedia Commons
Unchalli Falls is also popular in the area as Lushington Falls. It is a serene waterfall created by a 116-metre drop in the river Aghanashini. The falls are located 35 km from Sirsi.
Location: Unchalli, Sirsi Taluk, Uttar Kannada, Karnataka-581315, India
Opening Hours: 24 hrs
Distance from Shivaganga Falls: 64.7 km
7. Benne Hole Falls
Image Credit: Hegdesudarshan for Wikimedia Commons
Benne Hole Falls is a waterfall 36 km from Sirsi in Karnataka. It is formed from a tributary of the Aghanashini River, which flows unobstructed through the Devimane Ghat region of the Western Ghats.
Location: Hebre, Uttar Kannada, Karnataka-581315, India
Opening Hours: 24 hrs
Distance from Shivaganga Falls: 65.6 km
Suggested Read: Places To Visit Near Udupi within 100 kms
8. Gudavi Bird Sanctuary
Image Credit: PJeganathan for Wikimedia Commons
Gudavi Bird Sanctuary is a tourist destination in the Malenadu region of Karnataka. It covers an area of 0.74 square km and is part of the Soraba subdivision of Shimoga district.
Address: Banavasi Road, Shimoga, Karnataka-577201, India
Opening Hours: 6 am-6 pm
Distance from Shivaganga Falls: 74.1 km
9. Mirjan Fort
Image Credit: Wins10 for Wikimedia Commons
Mirjan Fort is located on the west coast of the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. The fort is known for its architectural elegance and has been the location of several battles in the past. Visit this fort and appreciate its rich history and gorgeous architecture.
Address: FCQ9+P2P, taluk, Mirjan Fort Road, Mirjan, Karnataka-581333, India
Opening Hours: 8 am-5.30 pm
Distance from Shivaganga Falls: 89.8 km
Suggested Read: Talakaveri Temple
10. Om Beach
Image Credit: Alexey Komarov for Wikimedia Commons
Om Beach is located in the coastal city of Gokarna in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. It takes the shape of an ‘Om’, a Hindu spiritual symbol, and is one of the most acclaimed beaches in the country.
Address: Om Beach, Gokarna, Karnataka-581326, India
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
Distance from Shivaganga Falls: 114.5 km
The Best Time To Visit Shivaganga Falls
Image Credit: Pawaskar Vinayak for Wikimedia Commons
The best time to visit Shivaganga Falls is from October to March. One should avoid visiting this place during the rainy season, as the water level is very high, and swimming is extremely dangerous at the Falls. Moreover, blood-sucking leeches can be a problem at this time. The falls are open from 06:00 a.m. to 07:00 p.m. Entry is free.
Further Read: Manjarabad Fort
With a breathtaking view amidst the pristine surroundings, Shivaganga Falls is the best place for sightseeing near Sirsi. The magical aura of these spectacular and unique waterfalls will make you fall in love with them. If you are looking for a tourist place near Sirsi that is a true adventure as well as a retreat, you should not miss the enchanting view of the Falls. Now that you have all the essential information about the Falls and other nearby tourist destinations, plan your trip to Karnataka and visit the picturesque Falls today.
For our editorial codes of conduct and copyright disclaimer, please click here.
Cover Image credit : By MADHAN S BHARADWAJ for Wikimedia Commons.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shivaganga Falls
Where is Shivaganga Falls located?
Shivaganga Falls is situated in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. It is located at a distance of 442 km from Bangalore and about 37 Km from Sirsi city.
How to reach Shivaganga Falls?
From Sirsi, one can take a cab or bus to Kodnagadde, which is about 5 km from the Falls. From here one has to walk more than 1 km amidst the forest to reach the Shivaganga Falls.
What is the best time to visit Shivaganga Falls?
The best time to visit Shivaganga Falls is from October to March. One should avoid visiting this place during the rainy season. Timings for visiting the falls are from 06:00 am to 07:00 pm.
What places can you visit near Shivaganga Falls?
You can visit Mirjan Fort, Benne Hole Falls, Gudavi Bird Sanctuary and many other such places. There are temples too, nearby Shivaganga Falls
Is there any entry fee for Shivaganga Falls?
Entry to Shivaganga Falls is free. So you can visit this fall with your friends, family or loved ones without worrying about the entry fee.
People Also Read:
Mallalli Falls Chelavara Waterfalls Devaragundi Falls
We all have to begin somewhere. This is where I start and I hope that my writings encourage you to begin. To new beginnings and conquering new places!
