Sirsi is a small town that is nestled amidst the thick forests and hills of Western Ghats in Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka. In the olden days, Sirsi was ruled by the mighty Sonda Dynasty and was known as “Kalyana Pattana”. Weather in Sirsi is always pleasant, as this town rests at 1936 ft above sea level. Places surrounding this town hosts lofty mountains, lush green forests, vibrant valleys, tiny meandering streams, and scintillating waterfalls. Not just that, it houses a few ancient temples and serves as one of the major pilgrimage centers for devotees. All of these reasons.make this a perfect tourist spot and weekend getaway among the people and nature lovers. This Blog throws light on the best places you can visit and things to do in Sirsi.
In addition, this place has a rich variety of flora and fauna which resides peacefully surrounded by nature. Animals like Dhole, Gaur, Slender Loris, Bonnet macaque, langur, are some of the rare species that can be spotted along with insects like dragonflies and colorful butterflies. Besides this, a huge variety of frogs and snakes can be easily spotted roaming around the forest. Also, rare birds species like Ruby-throated Bulbul, Indian Peafowl, owls, doves can be seen on trees chirping and making the place lively.
When it comes to flora a lot of herbs that are multifarious and kaleidoscopic flowers can be spotted in the forests. Make sure to head to this place after the monsoon, i.e. from September to April to experience nature in its full glory.
Apart from this, Sirsi is a major producer of spices like betel, cardamom, pepper, and vanilla plantation. Rice is the major crop and staple diet of the residence of Sirsi.
Table of Contents
Places To Visit and Things To Do In Sirsi
Banavasi Temple Town
Banavasi is the oldest town of Karnataka and the first capital of the native Kannada empire Kadambas. This is a laid back temple town near Sirsi in the Malenadu region of Uttara Kannada. The place is set amidst thick forest, an ancient village, and river Varada flowing around it on three sides. Earlier the Banavasi was known with many names like “Konkanapura”, Vaijayanthipura”, “Jayanthipura”, “Vanavasika”, etc.
Blessed with pristine nature, ancient temples, paddy fields, wild rivers, and tumbling waterfalls this is Sureshot heaven for travelers.
Know More about Banavasi – the Oldest Town Of Karnataka
Magod Falls
Magod is a group of falls set amidst the dense jungles of Western ghats, near Yellapur, Uttara Kannada. It is a 2 tier waterfall, formed by the rivers Bedti and Shalmala. You can see the water gushing down the rocky paths from a height of 200m (650 ft) with a loud roar. Later, the falls are split into 2 segments before joining a narrow stream at the bottom of the valley.
The path leading to these falls is beautifully set up with narrow roads and deciduous trees lined up all along the way providing shades. Typical bikers would love the ride as most of the journey would seem like off-roading on muddy patches.
Know More About Magod Waterfalls
Unchalli Falls | Lushington falls Trek
Unchalli falls is a hidden gem that is nestled in the Sahyadri forest range of Western ghats near Siddapura, Uttara Kannada. Water tumbles down from a height of 116 meters and spreads along rocks forming a triangle before reaching the ground. Untouched river Aghanashini that originates in Sirsi town. gives rise to Unchalli waterfalls.
Above all, these places are popular for their frequent rainbow spottings, mist-filled forests, and an uphill trek. In fact, this waterfall was discovered in 1845 by JD Lushington, the former collector of the Colonial British Government. Hence, Unchalli is also known as Lushington falls.
Know More About Unchalli Waterfalls
Yana Caves
This is a small village in the Kumta forest, which is 50 km away from Gokarna. Yana caves are an unusual karst rock formation. Yana cave is a part of Sahyadri mountains of western ghats and surrounded by thick forest and streams. These caves are one of the best places you can visit while you are in Sirsi.
Additionally, this hidden wonder houses two magnificent rock formations composed of black limestone which are known as the Bhairaveshwara Shikhara(120 meters) and the Mohini Shikhara(90 meters) surrounded by lush green forests. You need to trek for 3 km within the forest to reach this place.
Vibooti falls
Just about 8 km from Yana caves lies this small perennial Vibhooti waterfalls surrounded by gigantic rocks and limestone deposits, in Sahyadri mountains ranges of western ghats. You need to trek for about 1.5 km to reach this 70 ft multi-tiered waterfall.
The journey towards falls in itself is a great experience as you will be hiking through green shades of the forest; slippery rock, and small streams running with endless clear water. Not to mention the sight of mist-filled mighty mountains and deep valley next to you is mind-blowing. Like many other waterfalls, even this is not visible, until you reach the endpoint. But what awaits you at the end, as the clear white water gushes down the rocks forming a pool & sound of free-flowing as it enters the forest area is pure bliss. There is a popular belief that the water that flows from the Yana caves region is the sacred ash (vibhooti), and hence the name Vibhooti Falls.
Comments