Sunday, January 17, 2010

Sharawa Backwaters - The New Tourist Attraction in Karnataka

Camping in Sharavathi Backwaters
Sharava Backwaters is Sharavathi Backwaters


Overview of the destination

Sharavathi backwater is about 60 KM in length and about 15 KM wide !!!!. It became backwater when a dam was constructed in 1965 at Linganamakki of sagara taluk in Shivamogga(Shimoga) district to the river Sharavathi. As a result the water that blasted away, consumed large parts of the evergreen forest, and once the water settled a huge mass of blue spread over several kms. This backwater has created lots of islands, it is so great to explore all these, where thick vegetation still exists and there is lots of wild life in it including some rare birds.

The slow flowing water provides the perfect platform for swimming, boating, kayaking and other water sports. A small hill of moderate trekking difficulty gives the aerial view of the wonderful


Camp Site:- Sharavathi Backwater Near Sagara in Shimoga Dsitrict
Accomdation:- Dome tents on an ISLAND in the backwaters.
Food:- Food is going to be Simple Vegetarian food and it will be freshly cooked food at the camp site.

When to go there:
All year. Avoid the rains, it is best post-monsoon.

How to Get there:
Sharawa Backwaters is situated at a distance of about 300km from Bangalore, Sharavathi valley is a min 2 days trip. Take a bus to Sagara and then hire a taxi to GubbaGodu, 20km from Sagara.

Contact:
Mr. Sampath Kumar
prapancha@gmail.com
facebook.com/prapanchas

(or)

Call for Assitance: 08182-251444
STD Code: 08183

Things to carry:
Here is a list of accessories you must carry in-order to help yourselves during your stay in Sharavathi Valley.

- A proper BackPack.(A bag which can be put on our back and other kinds of bags wont do).
- A plate with a spoon for eating food. (Must)
- One cup for drinking water, tea etc. (Must)
- One light & thin bed sheet, Foam sleeping Mat will be arranged by them.
- A small hand torche. (Must)
- A 1 ltr. water bottle.
- Well worn in sports/canvas shoes/sandals.
- Toilet kit (toothbrush, toothpaste, comb)
- Sun cap and Sun lotion.

Places of Intrest:

Honnemaradu
A view of Honnemaradu (a place of golden sand) is a tourist place situated on the back waters of River Sharavathi. It is popular among watersports enthusiasts as a site for kayaking, windsurfing and other similar sports.

It is located in Shimoga district, Karnataka about 25 km away from Sagara, on the way to Jog falls. Visitors can stay overnight, with facilities for food, shelter and equipment rentals nearby.

Honnemardu is full of adventurer’s delight and offers a wide range of activities for everyone from the school children to the young at heart 60 year olds. Honnemardu is a small village perched on the hills that overlook the Linganamakki Reservoir. The reservoir is also known as Honnemardu after the village. In the middle of this huge water body there is a small island that attracts the campers. In addition to the various adventure activities, Honnemardu is also a birdwatchers paradise and one can spend endless hours watching and trying to identify the large variety of birds and butterflies.

Honnemaradu, a haven for water sports, is tucked away in the lush greenery of the Western Ghats along the Sharavati backwaters near Sagar. Encompassing an area of 50 km by 80 km, this reservoir stretches as far as the eye can see. One of the few places that cater exclusively to water sports, Honnemaradu or “Golden Lake” has some of the most spectacular views of the sunrise and sunset.

Deep in a forest, without the slightest trace of civilisation, Honnemaradu is a haven for die-hard outdoors fanatics as well as those who want a complete break from the City.

Some of the water sports activities here include coracling, canoeing, kayaking and wind rafting.

Kayaking in Honnemaradu:

If someone is fond of kayaking then he can plan for next vacation in the hill stations of Karnataka. Kayaking in Honnemaradu is a unique experience. Tourists come from India and abroad to experience the thrill of Kayaking in Honnemaradu.

The grace the Western Ghats of India adds to the charm of Kayaking in Honnemaradu. Honnemaradu is located in the Shimoga district, is about 25 kilometers from Sagara towards Jog Falls. It is also situated on the back waters of the Sharavathi River. It is home to many water sports including windsurfing, coracling, canoeing, kayaking and scuba diving.

Holebaagilu

Holebaagilu is situated on the banks of the Sharavathi River at about 30 km from Sagara. One has to take a diversion from B. H. Road towards Ikkeri Road to get there. The Sharavati backwaters of Linganamakki dam has submerged acres of land here. It is a place of natural beauty. It is situated in Kolur Grama Panchayat Limits. One has to take a "launch" (flatboat) to get across the backwaters to reach the other side where Sigandooru is located. The ride is really enjoyable. Madenur Dam which was submerged due to the construction of the Linganamakki Dam is at a short distance from here. It can be seen only during summer.

Sigandooru

Sigandooru is a holy place of Goddess Chaudeshwari. A large temple of Goddess Chaudeshwari is situated here. This Goddess is a highly believed deity in Sagara and the surrounding taluks as a protector against theft and robbery. Coupons for entry will be distributed on first come first serve basis.

Other Attractions Nearby:

Jog Falls: Jog Falls is created by the Sharavathi River. The river water plummets down from a great height of 829 ft, the highest in India. It’s located in Shimoga district.

Dabbe Falls: Located 30 km from Jog Falls, Dabbe is another enchanting waterfall in Shimoga. This waterfall is hidden in the mountains near Hosagadde.

How to Reach by train or bus

From Bangalore, you can catch the overnight Shimoga Express. Reaching Shimoga, you need to board an early morning train, which takes around 3 hours to reach Talguppa. Or, you can also catch a local bus to reach Talguppa. Reaching Talguppa, you can either trek or hire a jeep to reach Honnemardu. An awesome place to visit.

Some more pictures from Sharawati Backwaters

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Disclaimer

All the pictures and material on this web-site are assumed to be taken from public domain. The copyright (if any) of these pictures and articles belongs to their orginal publisher / photographer / copyright holder as the case may be. we claim no ownership to them

If anybody has reservations / objection on the use of these material/images or find any copy-righted material on this site, then please e-mail us at aparna.email.me@gmail.com giving detail of copy right etc. In case, the objections is found to be appropriate, the offensive material / pictures will be removed from this site immediately.

Any links provided or advertisements displayed on our site are for informational purposes only and we are not responsible for any damages or consequences. However, if you find any unsuitable link / advertisement, then please e-mail us giving detail of such links etc.