Sirsi (Kannada: ಶಿರಸಿ) is a town in the Uttara Kannada district in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is a mountain town with a population of around 65,000 people. The town is surrounded by lush green forest and the region is popular for a large number of waterfalls. Hubli is the nearest large city, and the main businesses around the town are mostly subsistence and agriculture based. Adike (Supari) (Areca nut) or (Betel nut) is the primary crop grown in the villages that surround the town, making it one of the major trading centres for Arecanut. The nuts grown here are transported all over India, and also exported abroad. The region is also popular for many other spices like cardamom, pepper, betel leaves and vanilla. The major food crop is paddy and rice is the staple food of the people. Majority of the people in Sirsi speak dialects of Kannada, most notably the Havyaka dialect. The official language is also Kannada, although English is increasingly gaining popularity.A sizeable part of the population, both Hindus and Christians, also speaks Konkani.

Geography

Sirsi has an average elevation of 590 metres (1936 feet), and is situated in the heart of the Western Ghats. Sirsi is about 425 km from Bangalore. The nearest airport is located in Hubli, about 102 km from Sirsi. River Aghanashini takes birth from a place near Sirsi called "Donihalla" and flows towards the Arabian Sea in the West. The river also creates many waterfalls along its path.

Climate

The climate in Sirsi is strongly influenced by the monsoons, and the climate is humid and tropical, moderated by proximity to the sea. During the monsoons, the region receives one of the heaviest rainfalls in the world. As a result, the region also has a large variety of wildlife. The vegetation in the region is mainly moist deciduous, and valuable timber wood is found commonly in the forests of the region. Thus, deforestation and poaching have been causes for concern in recent years.

Demographics

As of 2001^[update] India census^[2], Sirsi had a population of 58,711. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Sirsi has an average literacy rate of 79%, which is much higher than the national average of 66%: male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 76%. About 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Temple

Sirsi is famous for the Marikamba temple, built in 1688. The famous 'Marikamba Jaathre', commemorating the goddess Marikamba is held by the temple authorities every alternate year. Tens of thousands of devotees from all parts of the country attend the fair, making it one of the biggest festivals in the region. Close to the Marikamba temple are the temples dedicated to Maha Ganapati and Shri Gopalakrishna.

Churches

St.Anthony's church is in Sirsi and is situated in the center of the town, and is the main church for the minority Christian population in the region.

Prominent places in the Taluk of Sirsi

• Banavasi , the capital of an ancient kingdom in Karnataka (state) ruled by the "Kadamba" dynasty is 24 km away from the Sirsi town center. Banavasi is considered as the "first" capital of Karnataka state, with the current capital being Bangalore. Although most of the ancient grandeur of the dynasty in Banavasi has been lost, an ancient temple for Madhukeshwara (Lord Shiva) is still largely intact, and has been declared a monument of historical importance by the Archaeological survey of India.

• Sahasralinga, (Sanskrit for a thousand Shiva (deity) Linga's) is another place of singnificance, where scultptures carved from stone are installed in the middle of a flowing river. The river is surrounded by lush green forest; the place is about 10 km away from the town center. The place is quite secluded, except during "Maha Shivaratri" celebrations when it receives a sizeable number of pilgrims from the surrounding areas.
• Sonda, famous for its Sri Vadiraja Matha, and the Swarnavalli Mutt are about 15 km away from Sirsi.
• Unchalli falls, (also known as Lushington falls or Keppa Joga, referring to the other more famous waterfall nearby, Jog falls) is situated about 30 km from Sirsi, and is one of the biggest tourist attractions near Sirsi. The waterfall is a 116 meter drop and offers spectacular views at all times of the year.
• Yana is a nature’s wonder.

Other destinations

Shivaganga Falls
Burude Falls
benne falls
Pancha linga
Mattighatta falls
Muregaar falls
"Vedic vana" Bakkala
Kumbri gudda(hill)
Dhoranagiri
Musukina baavi
Manjaguni Devasthana
Giligundi cave
Mabgi falls a secred place of Shri Shri Vadiraja swami,by name "TAPOVANAis a supeb place to visit

Kalika Math Ambagiri

Nature and terrain

Sirsi is a popular destination for trekkers and nature lovers alike, owing to its idyllic location in the middle of the Western Ghats. Many viewpoints and mountain peaks provide spectacular views of the Sahyadri mountain ranges. The tourist infrastructure has improved considerably in the last decade, owing to an effort by the government to improve tourism in the area. There are many obscure destinations and trekking routes surrounding this region, known mostly only to the people native to the region. The region is also popular for numerous medicinal plants used in the traditional Ayurveda system of medicine, and there are protected reserves near Devimane Ghats for the conservation of medicinal species and biodiversity in the region.

Photo Gallery:

Goddess Marikamba Temple Sirsi

Goddess Sri Marikama Devi