Jog Falls – Highest waterfall of Karnataka

Jog Falls is located in Sagara Taluk, Shivamogga District, Karnataka, 30 km away from Sagara, 100 km from Shivamogga, and 385 km away from Bangalore. Jog falls is one of the highest waterfalls in Karnataka formed by Sharavathi River, gushing down from a height of 253 meters.

Waterfall divided with four names Raja, Rani, Roarer and Rocket, which describes the flow of the waterfall. Jog Falls also known as the Gersoppa Falls or Jogada Gundi. When the gates of the Linganmakki dam is opened during monsoon is the time to see Jog Falls at its best.

Well maintained place and good parking space. During summer water will be very less as Linganamakki dam gates will be closed. Tourists are allowed to get down to the bottom of waterfalls. There are approximately 1400 steps built to reach the bottom of the falls. During the season(Monsoon) place will be bit crowded and tourists are not allowed to get down to the bottom of falls as water will be more and not save.

Hydro Power Plants

The Sharavati Hydroelectric project is in Shivamogga district, Karnataka. It was started to tap the electricity generating potential of the river Sharavati. It has 10 units and an installed capacity of 1035 MW. Along with this, there are other two power stations connected to this river, one is Linganamakki Dam Powerhouse with 2 units and an installed capacity of 55 MW and another is Gerusoppa Dam Project with 4 units totaling to 240 MW.

This is a highly restricted area and no tourists or visitors allowed to the station. But we can see the power plant from a far distance. This viewpoint is on the way to Shri Kshetra Vadanbail Padmavati Digambar Jain Temple, even for visiting this temple we need to submit our ID to the security and move. Not to worry about that.

Jog Falls Photos

Places to visit near Jog Falls

1. Bhadra Dam

   Bhadra Dam (Bhadra Reservoir) is located on the Bhadra River a tributary of Tungabhadra River in Tarikere Taluk, Chikmagalur District, Karnataka. The project was undertaken by the National Water Management Project(NWMP). The Bhadra River rises in the Western Ghats Aroli hill range of Kudremukh range. Dam water benefits for irrigation, drinking water supply and industrial use. Hydropower was commissioned in 1965 which generates 39.2 MW providing power to towns and villages nearby.

2. Sakrebyle Elephant Camp

   Sakrebyle Elephant Camp is in Shivamogga district, Karnataka. It is located 14 km from Shivamogga on the Shivamogga – Thirthahalli Road, 290kms from Bangalore. This camp has many elephants and trained by skilled Mahouts. The camp is on the banks of the River Tunga, backwater of Gajanur Dam.

   The Sakrebyle Elephant Camp attracts tourists and travelers as this is easily spotted on Shivamogga – Thirthahalli road. It is one of the ecotourism centers in Karnataka. The elephants play and being bathed in the backwater of the Tunga River by the mahouts. Tourists can watch elephants where they spray water on each other and get scrubbed by the Mahouts.

3. Sigandur – Sharavathi River

   Sigandur is located in western ghats of Sagara Taluk, Shivamogga District, Karnataka. Sigandur is famous for temple popularly known as Shri Sigandur Chowdeshwari Temple. It is a very beautiful place surrounded by backwater of River Sharavathi.

   Cross The water to reach Sigandur

   To reach temple we need to take a ferry or commonly called as Launch. For tourists, it makes a nice ride along with their vehicles.

   During holidays or festival, you have to wait for many hours to cross the river instead leave your vehicle and take a jeep or auto after crossing the water. As I have seen launch service will start at 6 am and close at 6 pm. For this service, we need to pay Rs 2 per passenger, Rs 15- Rs 20 per vehicle.

   And one important thing to remember, this service was mainly started to help locals as many areas got submerged after building Linganamakki Reservoir, so Local vehicles and Buses get priority over tourist vehicles. Have a good ride.

4. Kavimane (Kuvempu House)

   Kuppali is a small village in Thirthahalli taluk, Shivamaogga district. Kuppali is famous for Kuvempu’s house, popularly known as “Kavi Mane” which means house of the poet. Now, this house has been converted into a museum.

   This is also one of the popular tourist places in Shivamogga. As this place is part of the pure Malnad area. During the rainy season, this place looks heavenly.

   About Kuvempu

   To tell about Kuvempu I definitely need a separate blog post. For his contributions to Kannada Literature, the Government of Karnataka decorated him with the honorific Rashtrakavi (“National Poet”) in 1958 and Karnataka Ratna (“The Gem of Karnataka”) in 1992. So Kuvempu is popularly called as Rashtrakavi.

   Kavi Shaila

   Before going to Kavi Mane you find a path/road towards the right which will go to Kavi Shaila which is rock memorial build after his death. We can take vehicle till top or can go by walk as well. Definitely going by walk make you more refreshed.

5. Sharavathi power plant

6. Gajanur Dam

7. Linganamakki Dam

8. Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary

9. Dabbe Falls

10. Kodachadri

11. Gokarna

12. Murudeshwara

13. Yana