Road Trip to Jog Falls, via Shimoga from Bangalore
Finally after 18 years of stay in Bangalore, Karnataka my dream of visiting Jog Falls materialized! Jog Falls is reputed to be the second highest plunge waterfall in India. We were on a short vacation to Shimoga and after a short halt there proceed to Jog Falls. And it is going to be a dream come true road trip to Jog Falls from Bangalore. Additionally the plan was to welcome 2016 in Shimoga, Karnataka.
The route map of Bangalore to Jog Falls is dotted with several Hoysala temples dating back to 10th to 12th centuries. I took some detours from the route. The entire road trip to Jog falls was planned in such a way that we could visit the famous temples that dotted the road. We made several stops along the way for the visits to temples.
Road Trip to Jog Falls from Bangalore
We took the route via NH206, a distance of 393kms, estimated time of travel eight hours without halt. However we planned plenty of halts including a night halt at Shimoga. There were plenty of toll gates and the cost of toll tickets sum to few 100s of rupees. Unfortunately this route didn’t have public toilets. Therefore we had to look out for hotels and fuel stations.
Road Trip to Jog Falls from Bangalore
Day 1 Bangalore to Shimoga
From Tumakuru we veered westwards along SH 24 towards Arasikere where we visited the Ishwara Temple. It dates to 13th century of Hoysala Empire. Its unique structure and grand sculpted designs on the façade awed us. We could offer pooja here. After half an hour’s halt we drove further northwards to Baggavalli.
The Yoga Narasimha Temple here too belonged to 13th century. Unfortunately for us the temple was closed for the morning and we couldn’t get a glimpse of the idol worshiped there.
After an half an hour’s drive, 20kms along SH 24 we reached Amruthapura. The Amruteshwara Temple here has amazing stone work. It was nearing 1; we had our lunch here in the temple kitchen. They provide lunch to pilgrims visiting the temple.
Shimoga is 48kms from Amruthapura, but before making the final stop we made a detour to Lakshmi Narasimha Temple at Bhadravati. In all probability it would be closed yet we decided to visit. The temple here is indeed another gem of Hoysala Empire.
Day 2 Shimoga to Sringeri and back
After good rest and night halt at Shimoga we set off for Sringeri early next day. The distance is approx 103kms, but it is through the scenic ghat section with many winding roads and sharp turns. The roads have no dividers and it is best one exercises caution driving through these roads. High speed will invite accidents and the saying holds right: better to be late than be sorry!
The golden idol of Goddess Saraswati here is stunning! The complex is huge and has several small shrines. It took us more than an hour to cover the entire place, but definitely worth the time spent.
On our return trip to Shimoga we halted at Kuppalli and visited Kannada poet and playwright Kuvempu’s house and then again at Thirthahalli. Before the sun could retire for the day we were back to comforts of the hotel Royal Orchid in Shimoga city.
Day 3 Shimoga to Jog Falls
On this 3rd day too we had some temple darshan planned. We halted at Keladi, famous for Rameshwara Temple which is constructed in the Hoysala-Dravida style. This place is full of history. We stopped to listen to the stories of the Kings who ruled the place and worshiped at this temple.
Banavasi, further northwards has a temple from 3rd century AD. This is the oldest temple we have seen in India. Only a small portion of the old temple still stands strong, we were lucky to be there in time and could offer our prayers. The place doesn’t have scope for good lunch; the existing hotels didn’t seem tempting enough.
After lunch at Sirsi and a visit to Marikamba Temple we proceeded onward to the final destination of the day; Jog Falls!
The best time to visit Jog Falls would be June to September, at other times there is only a pair thin streams of water falling down the rocks and that is what I got see last December 2015. This is not the season when the falls roar. Such dream trips can coincide only with vacations of children, hence doesn’t match with the right time for destination.
Day 4 Jog Falls to Shimoga
We drove to Ikkeri which is famous for Aghoreshwara Temple. This was constructed by the Keladi Nayakas (Kings). This temple was badly destroyed during Mughal invasion from north, yet what ever is left is very impressive. A must visit I will say if you are anywhere around the place. Ikkeri is 3 km south of Sagara.
A few devotees here told us about Shri Choudeshwari Temple, in Sigandur. The distance between the two temples is 35 km. With nothing much to do for the day we set off for the temple. We were ferried across the mighty river of Sharavati in a Launch. A different experience and we all enjoyed. The cost of ticket is at an unbelievable low price of Re. 1!
I have linked the temples to my posts on them.
Jog falls to Shimoga road trip
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This is great information. I am planning a road trip to Shivmoga -> Jog Falls -> Murudeshwara and Gokarna sometimes this year. How did your trip go?
THat is a longggggggggg trip .. have fun and enjoyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Wishing you and family and everyone around you a very happy new year.. May all that you have dreamed comes true.. have a fantabulous New year
Bikram’s
There wasn’t much water in Jog falls when we visited a year ago. But still we enjoyed our road trip from Bangalore to Jog Falls. Have a wonderful trip. We are waiting for your photos. 🙂
WOW, Road trips are fun, waiting for the pics….
Hope Keladi (6KMs north Sagara) is there on you list 🙂
Have a safe trip and happy new year.
I look forward to seeing your latest photos!
Have fun and road trips are best!!!
Have a great trip!
Have Fun and enjoy your trip. We are waiting for your post with stunning images. Happy New Year in advance!!!
Bon Voyage! 🙂 Looking fwd to the pics!
Enjoy Indrani!
You are a true travel blogger
Have a fun filled and safe trip
Amazing route… looking forward to few pictures as well 🙂
Enjoy your trip as much as I did during monsoon..please read here..
That’s a great adventure.. 🙂
enjoy trip dear,waiting for pictures.
Enjoy 🙂
Enjoy your travels..
Have fun on the road- roads are very nice in that region.
If you are planning via shimoga, I would suggest a lovely quiet place to stay – Honnemarudu, a beautiful setting and a very nice place.. Worth checking it out 🙂
Captivating!
Have a great time, Indrani! Waiting for the pics:)
Good luck Indrani for this journey. Waiting for photographs.
Oh my! I am headed there next weekend….Will exchange notes soon 😀
Means we can hope a perfect New year from your side with great picture of this place . Happy New year in advance Indrani ji !!
Nice information about jog falls and shimoga.waiting for wonderfull pictures
Have a wonderful trip!
Road trips are the best!
have fun 🙂
Shall I say Happy New Year now? 🙂
Enjoy & have fun. Looking forward to your gorgeous pictures.
Have fun. Looking forward for your experience. Happy New year to you and your family.
As usual, your visit brings us great photographs and the details of the place, Indrani.. Wish you a happy and safe visit!
All the best to your trip. Looking forward to see some pics.
That’s wonderful. Enjoy dear 🙂
I still have to visit it Indrani ! It’s been a long time that all we are doing is planning 🙁 A road trip is my favorite way to travel ..hopefully .. keeping my fingers crossed 🙂
Nice piece of information 🙂
Shimoga is a lovely place, with some great places to try out the local cuisines. There are a few small towns around Shimoga too, that have some lovely scenic places.
– Style.. A Pastiche!
We had done this on our way to Goa. The roads weren’t great and the rains made it worse. Hope you have a better experience. The waterfall was majestic. Good Luck.
Yes, can’t wait to see your photos, happy new year.
Enjoy!
Looking forward to your photos
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