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Sirsi Attractions - Tourist Places To Visit In Sirsi

  • 01Marikamba Temple

    Travellers on a trip to Sirsi must visit the 17th century Sri Marikamba Temple that is located in Sirsi, Uttara Kannada, Karnataka. Devotees visit this temple to offer prayers to a 7 ft high statue of a wooden deity. According to local belief, the wooden statue of Goddess Shri Marikamba, the deity worshipped in Uttara and Dakshin Kannada, was found in a tank on the outskirts of the town.

    In 1611, Sadashiva Rao II, the King of Sonda, gave orders to install the wooden deity at this place. This idol is considered to be the biggest idol and site devoted to Marikamba in Karnataka. Apart from the wooden deity, devotees can see the popular Kavi art that can be found on both sides of walls of the Sri Marikamba Temple.

    Marikamba Jaathre is a festival celebrated at Marikamba Temple biennially and attended by lacs of devotees from different regions of the country. Pilgrims believe that the existence of Marikamba Temple safeguards the region from natural calamities and keeps evil at bay. Located at 2500 ft above sea level, this temple overlooks hills, picturesque thick deciduous forest and several waterfalls.

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  • 02Mahaganapati Temple

    Mahaganapati Temple

    If time permits, tourists can visit Mahaganapati Temple that is located in Sirsi close to Marikamba Temple. The priests present here perform a ceremony where they tell the fortunes of people without consulting horoscopes. They tell the verdict of Lord Ganesha based upon the questions put forward by the devotees during this ritual.

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  • 03Gopalakrishna Temple

    Gopalakrishna Temple

    If tourists are planning a trip to Sirsi, they can go to Gopalakrishna Temple that is situated in the vicinity of the Mahaganapati Temple and Marikamba Temple. It was established in the year 1886 in honour of Sri Krishna Vasudev, the presiding deity. Visitors travelling to either of the two shrines located in the vicinity should stop by this temple.

    Every Thursday Prasna Seva is held, in which people are given a chance to ask their doubts and questions. The answers are provided by Archaks headed by Shri Vithalacharya, who is renowned for his astrological prowess.

    This temple is thronged by devotees during festivals like Shri Krishna Jayanti, Anant Vrata Archana Pooja on Bhadrapad Shukla Chaturdashi (September), Jayanthi Festival in Vaishakh Shukla Saptami and Gopalkala-Bhadrapada Shukla Trayodashi.

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  • 04Unchalli Falls

    Unchalli Falls, otherwise known as Lushington Falls, is located at a distance of 30 km from Sirsi, in Siddapur Taluk. In 1845, J.D. Lushington (the District Collector for the British Government) discovered this fall, thus giving this waterfall his name. Unchalli Falls is renowned among the natives as Keppa Jog, which literally means 'deafening'.

    Originating from the Aghanashini river, this waterfall is at a height of 381 ft (116 m). The stream originating from Shankarathirtha in Sirsi joins Manjaguni stream to form the Aghanashini river. It can be visited at any time of the year and offers an excellent view of the surrounding vegetation and water falling down rocky slopes.

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  • 05Sahasralinga

    If time permits, tourists travelling to Sirsi can choose to visit Sahasralinga, which literally means a thousands lingas. This site is situated 10 km away from the town of Sirsi on the banks of Shalmala river, which flows amidst a sprawling forest. The temple is usually not frequented by many people except during festivals like Mahashivaratri, when pilgrims visit this site in large numbers.

    Devotees of Lord Shiva come to this temple to offer prayers throughout the year. Apart from offering prayers, tourists visit this temple in order to view the Shiva Lingams that are carved on stones amidst the flowing river. Each linga present at this site is present directly opposite an engraving of Nandi, the vehicle of Lord Shiva.

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