Shivamogga (Kannada: ಶಿವಮೊಗ್ಗ, formerly Shimoga) is a city located in Shivamogga district in the central part of the state of Karnataka, India. It lies on the banks of the Tunga River and is the administrative headquarters of the district.

History

The name of the city is derived from the term Shiva-Mukha, meaning Face of Shiva. An alternative etymology is that the name is derived from the term Sihi-Moge, meaning Sweet Pot. The district formed the southern tip of Emperor Ashoka's Mauryan Empire in third century BC. It was ruled during later centuries by the Kadambas (4th century), Chalukyas (6th century), Gangas, Rashtrakutas (8th century), Hoysalas (11th century), and the Vijayanagara rulers (15th century). The city got an independent identity under the Keladi Nayaka rule during 16th century, reaching its pinnacle under the rule of Shivappa Nayaka. From the late 17th century onwards, the city was a part of the Kingdom of Mysore until the independence of India in 1947, when Mysore merged into the Republic of India.

On November 1, 2006, the government of Karnataka announced the renaming of Shimoga to Shivamogga, along with nine other cities in the state.

Geography

Shivamogga is located 13°55′18″N, 75°34′12″E. According to the Shivamogga City Municipal Corporation., the city has a total area of about 50 km² (19.31 square miles). The climate of Shivamogga is tropical wet and dry (Koppen climate classification). This means that the winter and the early part of summer are typically dry periods. Majority of the rainfall occurs between June and early October. Shivamogga is a part of a region vernacularly known as Malnad (land of hills) in Karnataka. Most/All these hills are part of Western ghat, a region famous for plentiful rainfall and lush greenery.

Main Occupation: Agriculture, especially the cultivation of Arecanut & Rice

Getting there

By road

From the state capital Bangalore, Shivamogga can be reached on road by car or bus by taking the National Highway, NH-206 via Tumkur, Arsikere, Banavara, Kadur, Birur, Tarikere, and Bhadravathi. KSRTC, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation has recently introduced Volvo buses which are a comfortable but expensive way of reaching Shivamogga from Bangalore. Shivamogga is around 274 km on road from Bangalore. By the coastal route, one can reach Shivamogga by bus / car. From Udupi, there are a number of mini-buses which take about four hours. Car journey from Udupi to Shivamogga may be around three hours. This route passes through Agumbe Ghat with sharp hairpin curves, but this road is quite popular among the tourists coming from Mangalore and Udupi. There is one more road from Kundapur, another coastal town, which takes about four and a half hours. From Sringeri (a famous tourist place, also popular among Kerala tourists and devotees), it is a four hours journey by bus. Hubli, another important city of Karnataka state is also connected to Shivamogga by road by a number of buses, and the journey is around six hours. Shivamogga is better connected with roads from all directions and as such, it is an important bus junction. All major and minor towns of Karnataka have bus access to Shimoga and its bus terminus is always busy. It is also a hub which connects Northern Karnataka to Dharmasthala.

By rail

Shivamogga has a railway station and there are frequent trains that run to Shivamogga from Bangalore and Mysore. However, direct trains to Shivamogga from other parts of India are non-existent or infrequent. Birur Junction which is well connected to most parts of India by rail (especially from Mumbai), is approximately at a distance of 70 km from Shivamogga and can be used as an alternative to reach Shivamogga. Umpteen buses run from Birur to Shivamogga. Currently under construction are railway lines connecting Shivamogga to Honnaver and Goa in the Konkan region (This is the shortest route from Bangalore to Goa). The most popular trains from Shivamogga to Bangalore are the Shivamogga Express (a daily train that leaves at 10 P.M from Shivamogga and reaches Bangalore early morning and a parallel train from Bangalore that starts at 11.40 P.M to Shivamogga) and the Inter City Express Connection train (Hubli - Bangalore) at 8.10 am from Shivamogga.

By air

An Airport is under construction in Sogane 6 km from Shivamogga city.http://www.maytasinfra.com/html/airport-shimoga.html Airports at Bangalore (275 km), Mangalore (180 km) or Hubli (205 km) can be used as transits to Shivamogga.

Nearby attractions

• Gajanur lies 15 km to the southwest. The dam built across the Tunga River here is ideal for picnics.
• Koodli lies 15 km and is the place where the Tunga and Bhadra river meet and flow together as Tungabhadra.
• Lion Safari lies 12 km on the way to Sagara.Forest department will take for safari ride in the vehicle to spot the wild animals.
• B R P Dam is 28 km from the city on the way to Lakkavalli. This is the dam built on the Bhadra river with a maximum height of 186 feet.
• Kaveladurga is a trekking spot around 80 km from Shimoga. A fort built on the hill top and the enchanting view of the western ghats can be seen from this place.
• Mrugavadhe lies in Thirthahalli taluk and is famous for its Mallikarjuna temple and its scenic beauty.
• Sigandhooru is 108 km from Shimoga in Sagar taluk. This place is famous for Sigandhoor sridevi temple and to reach this place one has to go in launch (due to backwaters of river Sharavathi) run by the State government.
• Sringeri is 105 km from Shimoga. This place is famous for the Sharadha temple and Sringeri Mutt.
• Sakkare Bayalu is a nice elephant camp 2 km away from Gajanur Dam on the way to Thirthahalli.
• Agumbe 90 km south-west, is unforgettable for its glorious sunset.
• Jog Falls are a spectacular series of waterfalls, located 105 km away from Shimoga. The Sharavathi River takes a spectacular jump from a height of 292 m in four distinct falls to form the highest waterfalls in India. The best time to visit these falls is soon after the monsoon season during July and August.
• Kodachadri is a beautiful hill station in the Western Ghats. It is 120 km from Shimoga.
• Ikkeri near Sagara town is known for huge rock temple of Aghoreshwara. Keladi is also having rock temple; both of these temples belong to Shivappa Nayaka period. Sagara town is known for wood carving articles particularly of sandal wood, which can be handy for presentation/memonto.
• The village of Ambuthirtha is about 16 km north-west of Thirthahalli. The Sharavathi River originates here and a Shivalinga is installed at the spot.
• Kemmannagundi is a popular hill station near Shimoga though it lies in Chickmagalur district.

"Chibbalagude", Thirthahalli, The famous place for Siddivinayaka temple & Fish in tunga river, (like Shringeri). For all these places, one should find rooms in Shimoga or Sagar only, as other places are almost villages. "Shiva Statue" made of concrete is installed at Harakere, near Shivamogga looks good.

Information Courtesy: Wikipedia