8 Days 2187KM Ride Part-2 : Jog falls, Sirsi

Route  :  Shimoga - sagar - Jog falls - siddapur -  Sirsi
Distance Covered : 231 KM
Trip Dates : Aug 16 2015; 6 AM - 7 PM

Bike : Thunderbird 350
Riders : Me & Srikanth

            After 12+ Hr of great sleep, we both gained full energy for the big day. Check-out done at 6 AM and mounted saddle bag. Roads are complete empty unlike yesterday, and we swiftly moving on lush greenery. Shimoga to Jog falls route is best scenic greenery route till now I traveled in my life. Its not a ghat route, so you can enjoy the scenery at its peek than the looking for the next ghat curve. (murudeswar to jog falls is also same scenic route but a Ghat road, so we can enjoy the riding as well nature). 

Shimoga- jog falls Route map:

Beautiful roads:

magnificent view:

         Took multiple halts for photo session on the roads and reached jog falls at 10 AM. Entrance fee is 5/- and bike parking fee is 10/-. We parked the bike with saddle bag on it only as view points are next to the parking, so we decided to leave the bag with bike only and we are keep on checking the baggage in middle. Steps are closed to go down to the bottom of falls due to rainy season. (It seems there is cloak room available near hanging bridge.)

       There are multiple falls, but mainly 3 are huge and next to each. Lot of mist/falls spray is covering the falls and getting cleared after 15 mins or so. we have to wait for so long to take clear pictures. View point is like, we are on top of one hill edge and falls are on opposite hill, valley between hills is filled with forest trees. So great to see them from top view it self, it will be so wonderful if we go down through steps and see from bottom of hill. 

        Might jog falls:

      There is a small power plant next to the hanging bridge, just 2 mins walks and witnessed many other falls.  Around 12 PM, we had lunch at hotel near to the parking, nothing is there to eat actaully, we had idly and vada. While having lunch, it rained for first time in the trip. Cramster saddle bag water resistance holding very good, no water leaked in heavy rain also. Around 12:30 PM, we have left the falls and started to Linganamakki dam which is 12 km away. Route is little difficult to find but after few inquiries finally reached, but it is closed for visitors. 

       we have lot of time to go for sirsi, so thought of visiting Rani & Raja falls on the way to Sirsi. Rani falls is just nearby to the jog falls and its like standing on the top of another small falls, but nothing to see than a different view of jog falls. Raja falls road is complete mud road(half rim deep), we decided not to spoil the bike, so we said bye bye to falls and moved on Sirsi road.

Jog falls - Sirsi route:

At 3:30 PM, reached Sirsi, Inquired for good hotel, and checked-in at one good hotel for 500/-. Dumped our luggage and left for Sahasralinga, which is 20 KM away from city. Again this route also through hill terrain. Reached Sahasralinga by 4:30 PM. 

         Sahasralinga is Constructed by the King Sadashivaraya of Sirsi in the 17th century in fulfillment of a vow made to the Lord Shiva in return for being blessed with a son. 1000 lingas carved out of stones in a small river called Shalmala. Since it is rainy season, water flow is high, not many lings are visible, best time to visit is Shivaratri. Some people are enjoying the swim, water is crystal clear. (no parking/entree  fee at Sahasralinga)

             Next to parking there is a huge hanging bridge  across the river, must to visit it. We can cross the bridge by bike also, many people crossing on bikes, but it will be difficult in rush time. At 5:30 PM, we started back to Hotel. Marikamba Temple is the another famous inside the Sirsi, we missed to visit it but had a quick glance from outside while coming from jogfalls, looks really beautiful from outside.

Lingas in the Shalmala river:

Priest doing poojas here:

Another lingam and nandi:

Shalmala River in western ghats:

Hanging bridge:

           We had snacks, coconut and then left to the Hotel. We are so tired and no mood for dinner, as we had heavy snaks and we just slept at 9 PM. Next day is GOA, so we decided to start by 3AM.

Read Part-3 for Goa ride!