What is famous about Shimoga?

You can enjoy trekking and river rafting in Shimoga. Is a unique destination with a stark contrast between the old world charm and the global village.

Shimoga Tourism (2025) - Karnataka > Shivamogga Top Things To Do

Shimoga (Shivamogga) Travel Packages

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4 Nights / 5 Days

Historic Hampi & Green Paradise Shimoga: 4N/5D Tour

Hampi(2N) → Shimoga(2N)

$ 152

15% off

$128/person

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Places To Visit In Shimoga (Shivamogga)

Kodachadri

Jog Falls

Agumbe

Honnemaradu

Keladi

Tyavarekoppa Tiger and Lion Safari

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Shimoga (Shivamogga) Tourism

With nature in its full bloom, the town of Shimoga has been home to several great dynasties and kingdoms. Packed with several marvels of nature in the form of picturesque landscape, gorgeous waterfalls, mystical temples and lush green surroundings, its raw beauty will leave you absolutely enchanted. The main city of Shimoga District derives its name from the words 'Shiv-Mukha' implying 'Face of Lord Shiva'.

Blessed with swaying palms and verdant paddy fields, the place has earned itself a nickname of rice bowl as well as the breadbasket of Karnataka. The four rivers namely Sharavathi, Kumudavath, Tungabhadra and Varada make their way into the city, adding mystical charm to the region. Pleasant weather, beautiful rolling hills, a profusion of areca nuts and an endless list of attractions has made this place a must for enthusiastic vacation makers.

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Backpackers' Delight

If you are a hippy at heart, there are a lot of places that you can enjoy in Shimoga. The main tourist attraction is the mighty Jog falls. They are the highest falls in India, and it is a sight worth seeing.

There are also a lot of options for trekking like the Kodachadri trek which is an exuberant trek to the Kodachadri peak, which is endowed with dense forests, jungle trails and picturesque landscape; and also the trek in the Kudajadri hills. They all have something different and mesmerizing to offer. You can also do river rafting, kayaking, and canoeing in the Sharavathi Nature trails which is an off-beat idyllic ecological paradise with numerous waterfalls.

Art and Craft

Shimoga is host to a thriving art and craft industry. The most famous craft is carried out by the Gudigar clan of craftsmen which dwells in Shimoga and practices this sophisticated art of carving specialised intricate figures and patterns out of natural wood and sandalwood. It’s easy to shop for these wood figurines in Shimoga as the State Government has exclusively undertaken the sale and purchase of these items.

Etymology

At first glance, Shimoga sounds like just another regular town name. But, have a closer look at the history of the name and it reveals not one or two, but four stories behind its name. The first three stories are linked to Lord Shiva, where the name is either a colloquial usage of Shiva-mukha, meaning the face of Lord Shiva, Shivani Moggu meaning nose of Lord Shiva or to Shivanna Mogge flowers which are offered to the great lord. Another story relates the name to the time of famous sage Durvavsa, known for his flaming temper. It is believed that Durvasa always kept a pot boiling full of sweet herbs and once, some cowherds came across the pot and called it Sihi Moge (sweet pot), after which Shimoga was later named. Shimoga has now been officially renamed as Shivamogga.

History

The history of Shimoga dates back to at least 2,000 years to 3rd Century AD. Shimoga was established by the Keladi rulers and it is said that it enjoyed a golden rule during the reign of Keladi Shivappa Nayak in 1600 AD. It bears signs of prehistoric life and culture in the Neolithic and Megalithic eras of the Iron age. Remains discovered at Guddermadi, a place two kilometres from the main city proves the existence of ancient life.

Shimoga has been under the rule of various rulers and dynasties, from the Mauryas, Satavahanas, Kadambas of Banvasi, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, and rulers of the Vijayanagara kingdom. It was later annexed by Haider Ali and remained a part of the kingdom of Mysore until the Indian independence. It has made its place in the fairly recent documented history of the Indian freedom struggle as well. It was in Hechche village of Shimoga where the women of the village offered to undergo a Satyagraha movement. In his travels for the freedom movement, Mahatma Gandhi also visited this place.

Restaurants and Local Food in Shimoga (Shivamogga)

Shimoga is a getaway with tourist pouring in large number. Being located in South India one may expect the South Indian cuisine to be predominant in the area. Paayasa, Thambli, Avalakki are some of the popular dishes in Shimoga.
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Suggested Itinerary for Shimoga (Shivamogga)

Shimoga is a small place that can be explored in 1-2 days. It is better if you stay for two days. On the first day, you can start by visiting the Sakrebyle Elephant camp early in the morning. Then you can visit the Mangadde bird sanctuary during the afternoon, and end the day by an evening safari at the Tyavarekoppa Lion & Tiger sanctuary. You can try authentic south Indian food at night.

The next day, you should start early morning and visit the Jog falls which are a must visit. If you are interested in trekking, you can opt for the Kodachadri trek; or you can try your hand at river rafting, kayaking, and canoeing in the Sharavathi Nature trails. On your way back, you can visit the Shivappanaika Palace Museum and the Gajanur dam.

Best Time to Visit Shimoga (Shivamogga)

FAQs on Shimoga (Shivamogga)

Who should visit Shimoga?

Shimoga is an ideal destination for adventure lovers. You can enjoy trekking and river rafting. It is also a perfect destination for wildlife lovers, thanks to its tiger and lion forest reserve, and Jog Falls. You can go there with your colleagues, family, and friends for a perfect weekend getaway.

What are the places near Shimoga?

The top places near to Shimoga are Chikmagalur which is 72 km from Shimoga, Gokarna which is located 151 km from Shimoga, Kemmanagundi which is located 47 km from Shimoga, Goa which is located 255 km from Shimoga, Ooty which is located 305 km from Shimoga

What are the things to do in Shimoga?

The top things to do in Shimoga are Dabbe Falls, Kodachadri, Jog Falls, Agumbe, Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary, Gajanur Dam. You can see all the places to visit in Shimoga here

What is the best way to reach Shimoga?

The nearest International Airport is Mangalore Airport, roughly 195 km from Shimoga city. Shimoga has its own Railway Station named as Shimoga Nagar Railway Station which is connected to the major cities of Karnataka and other states like Mangalore, Hampi, Bangalore, Pune and Mumbai. You can also reach the place via bus. There are frequent buses from Bangalore to Shimoga. You can also hire a taxi to reach Shimoga and you can continue with the same taxi to explore the city.
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What is the local food in Shimoga?

What is the best time to visit Shimoga?

The best time to visit Shimoga is in the winter months from October to February, as the beauty of the place is enhanced with the pleasant weather. With seasons rotating, the town of Shimoga sways between dry and wet. Monsoon season hits the town somewhere between June and October and transforms the place into a paradise all refreshed and blooming. The rivers and waterfalls are spurting in full force and present a beautiful sight.
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What is not so good about Shimoga?

Not a well developed tourist destination. Food and water can prove to be a problem for some.

Shimoga (Shivamogga) Travel Guide

"Karnataka’s nature gateway to waterfalls and wildlife"

Shimoga (Shivamogga) Travel Packages

Historic Hampi & Green Paradise Shimoga: 4N/5D Tour

Places To Visit In Shimoga (Shivamogga)

Shimoga (Shivamogga) Tourism

Top Hotels In Shimoga (Shivamogga)