Sirsi

Sirsi (ಸಿರ್ಸಿ) is a city in the Uttara Kannada district in the Indian state of Karnataka.

The city was founded as Sirise, because of the abundance of Siris trees commonly found in this region. According to historical records , the town was heavily fortified during this era to defend against potential invaders. This period also gave rise to Sirsi's famous 300-year-old Bedara Vesha (Hunters Dance), a unique folk performance held every alternate year during Holi to commemorate the warrior Malleshi and the historic sacrifice of a local woman named Rudrambika.

Sirsi is well connected to the neighbouring cities through many state highways. The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation^{[dead link]} has daily buses connecting to Hubli, Karwar, Mangalore, Shimoga, Mysore, Bangalore. Some private transports also have daily buses to neighbouring cities.

Nearest railway stations are at Kumta, Talguppa and Haveri. Talguppa railway connects Bangalore city via Sagara. Hubli is connected to all major parts of India.

Nearest domestic airport is in Hubli (HBX ^IATA) which is about 110 km, and the nearest international airport is Dabolim Airport (GOI ^IATA), Goa.

• Bangaluru Airport (Kempegowda International Airport) BLR ^IATA is the bigger airport nearby for international passengers and for domestic passengers coming from northern and eastern part of India. Then took any bus from airport to Bengaluru Majestic and from there overnight bus to Sirsi there, can be booked from KSRTC. If any waiting time there, there is plenty of hourly stay nearby.
• For Goa and Sirsi, it is better to choose GOI ^IATA or Mumbai Airport (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport) BOM ^IATA

By North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation^{[dead link]} (NWKRTC) buses which go to nearby villages and to major towns of Karnataka (Karunadu) state. Auto rickshaws and taxis are available at Sirsi town.

• 14.61229374.8396081 Marikamba Temple (Marigudi), Sirsi - Banavasi Rd, ☏ +91 83842 26360, sirsimarikamba@gmail.com. Daily 6AM-9PM. Marikamba temple was built in 1688. The famous Marikamba Jaathre, commemorating the goddess Marikamba, is held by the temple authorities every alternate year. Nearly a lakh devotees from all parts of the country attend the fair, making it one of the biggest festivals in the region. The temple has very special paintings of murals in Kaavi art, an art form which was popular in the coastal Konkan region of Karnataka. No entry fees.  (updated Jul 2026)
• 14.71986274.8074342 Sahasralinga, Sadashivalli River Shalmala, Hulekal (about 14 km from Sirsi town]). Open 24 hours, but best visited from 5AM to 6PM. It is in the river Shalmala and is famous for being the location where around a thousand lingas are carved on rocks in the river and on its banks. Thousands of shivlingas appearing in shalmala river bed due to global warming effect. Sahasralingeśvara temple located near sirsi and is situated on the banks of the river shalmala, where a thousand lingas are found. The Shivalingas were built under the patronage of Sadashivarayavarma, king of the Sirsi kingdom (1678-1718). It is also possible to see many Nandi (vehicle of lord Shiva) which are carved in front of the Shivalingas. On the auspicious day of Mahashivaratri thousands of pilgrims visit Sahasraliṅga to offer their prayers to Shiva. No entry fees.  (updated Jul 2026)
• 14.41001274.74813 Unchalli Falls (Lushington Falls), near Heggarne village (440 km from Bengaluru and 260 kms from Mangaluru. Heggarane is the nearest village (5 km from the Falls) and Sirsi (35 kms from the Falls) is the nearest town. Hubballi is the nearest airport (140 km). Motorable road exists up to 1 km till waterfalls and the last kilometre needs to be covered on foot. Talaguppa near Sagara and Kumta are the nearest train stations, both approximately 60 km from the Falls. Regular buses are available to reach Sirsi from major towns in Karnataka. From Sirsi Unchalli Falls can be reached by hiring a taxi.). Daily 5AM-6PM. Measuring 116 metres (381 ft) drop in the Aghanashini river, also known as Lushington Falls, named after J. D. Lushington, a District Collector of the British Government, who discovered the falls in 1845. This place can be reached by a 5-km (3.1 mi) trek through thick forest or drive down to the falls by concrete constructed road. It is also called Keppa Joga because of the deafening sound they make. No entry fees.  (updated Jul 2026)
• 14.46257574.6873744 Bheemana Gudda (Bheemanavra Gudda), Nilkund, Morse. 5AM-7:30PM. An amazing hilltop view point, truly mesmerizing valley view seen from here. Locally famous as a sunset viewpoint. It is inside the Sharavathi Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, so there is strict restriction of timings for visitors mentioned. No entry fees.  (updated Jul 2026)
• 14.53530175.0171345 Madhukeshwara Temple (Banavasi Madhukeshwara Temple), Ratha Beedi, Banavasi. 6:30AM-8:30PM. An ancient Hindu temple known for its beautiful architecture at Banavasi village on the banks of Varada river by Karnataka state highway 77 (SH-77) about 30 km from Sirsi town towards Soraba. No entry fees.  (updated Jul 2026)

Other places worth a visit are: Yana Rock, Gudavi Bird Sanctuary, Shivaganga Falls, Muregar Falls, Tumbargod Falls, Benehole Falls etc.

• 14.59003974.5644041 Yana Rocks, Yana (deep within the Katgal range of the Western Ghats, approximately 31 km from Kumta and 40 km from Sirsi). 8AM-6PM. Usually famous for trekking to Yana rock, it is closed for visitors and trekking temporarily from last few weeks.  (updated Jul 2026)

The Marikamba Jatre is held every year, around March. Get to know the local culture.

Sirsi is famous for several sweets prepared by locals.

• Todadevu is a special kind of thin-crust dosa made out of fresh sugarcane juice. (Most local desserts of Sirsi have jaggery rather than sugar.)
• Kadubu: The main ingredients are jackfruit pulp and jaggery. The batter is prepared and, with additional ingredients, the batter is put into a container and steamed. The dessert is a local delicacy and is served hot with ghee butter.
• Karakali is a special kind of chutney which tastes very spicy. It is prepared from colocacia leaves.
• Kesari is a special sweet prepared from special small aromatic rice Sannakki, saffron and ghee. It is generally prepared during marriage ceremonies.
• Shunti Kaddi is a special sweet prepared from ginger paste and jaggery, which is most popular during Sirsi Jathre.
• Bendu Battasu is a special sweet which is available during Sirsi Jathre.

Several restaurants in Sirsi - Yellapur road are famous for vegetarian dishes.

• 14.6240574.8372031 Basaveshwar Khanavali, Vaz Complex, 178, beside Hotel Supriya International, Vinayak Colony. 10AM-9PM. Fully vegetarian and authentic Uttara Kannada style local South Indian dishes available at an affordable price with great quality. ₹100-200/thali.  (updated Jul 2026)

There are many lodges, home stays and resorts in this town.

By B.S.N.L. mobile (cellular) connections. JIO is also has proper connections there.

While getting down to waterfalls be careful. There may be whirlpools in the water and the rocks may be slippery. Before entering dense forests ensure that you have torch with spare battery cells, whistle, food and water with you. Fill up the fuel tank of your automobile before travel, as petrol pumps may not be available in remote areas.

• Lakkundi
• Dharwad
• Anshi National Park or Kali Tiger Reserve around the catchment area of river Kali.
• Bankapura
• Yellapur is about 60 km from Sirsi. Yellapur has two famous water falls - Sathodi Falls and Magod Falls.
• Jog Falls is the second-highest plunge waterfall in India, created by the Sharavathi River falling from a height of 253 m (830 ft), and is a major tourist attraction. It is about 60 km from Sirsi.
• Gokarna is a temple town in the North Kanara. Around the town lie a number of temples like Mahabaleshwara Temple and beaches which serve as a major attraction for travellers.