Shimoga, a Backpacker's Paradise - My Travel Dairy
Shimoga or Shivamogga is indeed a paradise. I had the chance to visit the place not once but twice. Once when I was a kid and one in recent years. This place is what we call perfect heaven for wanderlusts like some of us. The picturesque nature, fabulous waterfalls and some historical significance temples across the area are the real attraction of the place. Shimoga is a city located in the central part of the Indian state of Karnataka. It is roughly located 267 kilometers from Bangalore, the capital city.
Here at India Imagine, I share my experience and the places I visited in Shimoga.
First of all, do you know what really Shimoga means? It means Shiva's Face, and the name didn't happen by chance. There is a mythical story behind the name. It was just that Lied Shiva once drank water from the water of the Tunga river directly using his mouth. That's how the name came into existence.
The city is blessed with immensely fertile soil which paved ways for several pulses, rice grains and vegetables to grow in the land. The nickname the breadbasket of Karnataka thus suits it better!
Apart from this, Shimoga attracts tourists all over the country due to its lush green nature and unique destinations. During my stay, I visited most of the places across Shimoga among which there are 7 famous and fabulous must-visit ones. Stay with me to know more...
Visit the famous Jog fall and fall in love
Jog fall is not a new name, all the tourist enthusiasts are aware of this beauty. The Jog fall is situated at the border of Shimoga and nearly a two hours drive from the heart of the city. I hired a cab from Shimoga to reach the magnificent falls. When at last I reached the destination I was wonderstruck by the beauty of the falls.
Jog fall is the second-highest waterfall in India with almost 253 m dropping. When you visit jog falls you should also visit the nearby spot like Linganamakki Dam and the Tunga Anicut Dam. It merely a day's trip to watch the Jog fall, but if you are looking forward to staying back for two days or more there are hotels and resorts available for the tourists.
Gudavi Bird Sanctuary a bird watcher's paradise
Believe me, this place is a must-visit if you are a bird lover or not. The surroundings are surreal with lush green nature and a beautiful lake in the middle. All this attracts a variety of birds, not one or two but nearly 217 species of birds! From the Grey heron to Eurasian Spoonbill you can watch the best available species here. Take a binocular with you to watch these beauties at their best. And of course, don't forget to carry the best camera with you.
