Shravathi Wildlife Sanctuary

Sharavathi Wildlife Sanctuary is in Shimoga District in Karnataka. River Sharavathi takes a spectacular leap at a height of 292 m in four distinct falls - Raja, Rani, Rocket and Roarer - to form the highest waterfalls in India. The best time to visit these falls is soon after the monsoons during July-August. The backwaters of the Sharavati Wildlife Sanctuary offer excellent opportunities for water sports.

The sanctuary is a refuge of the endangered Lion-tailed macaque. Other mammals include tiger, leopard (black panther), wild dog, jackal, sloth bear, spotted deer, sambar, barking deer, mouse deer, wild pig, common langur, bonnet macaque, Malabar giant squirrel, giant flying squirrel, porcupine, otter and pangolin. Reptiles include king cobra, python, rat snake, crocodile and monitor lizard. Some of the avian species found in the sanctuary include three species of hornbill, paradise flycatcher, racket-tailed drongo, blue-throated barbet and Indian lories and lorikeets.

Sharavati River
Sharavati is a river which originates and flows entirely within Karnataka. Sharavati is one of the few westward flowing rivers of India and a major part of the river basin lies in the Western Ghats. The famous Jog Falls are formed by this river. The river itself and the region around it are rich in biodiversity and are home to many rare species of flora and fauna.

The river Sharavati originates at a place called Ambutheertha in the Thirthahalli taluk of Shimoga district. According to a legend of the times of Ramayana, this is the place where the Hindu God Rama broke a bow to win the hand of Sita The total length of the river is around 128 km (80 mi) and it joins the Arabian Sea at Honnavar in Uttara Kannada district. On its way, the Sharavati forms the Jog Falls where the river falls from a height of 253 mts. The river is dammed at Linganamakki and the portion of the river above the dam is upstream and the remaining is downstream. The major tributaries of the river are Nandihole, Haridravathi, Mavinahole, Hilkunji, Yennehole, Hurlihole, and Nagodihole. Sharavati river basin falls into two districts of Karnataka namely Uttara Kannada and Shimoga.

Ramachandrapura Math
Ramachandrapura Math is a Hindu religious institution located on the banks of the river Sharavati in the town of Hosanagara in Shimoga district. One of the goals of this institution is the protection of Indian breed cattle (Bos indicus). A World Cattle Conference was organised by this institution in 2007 to promote propagation and improvement of Indian breeds of cattle.

Honnemaradu
Honnemaradu is an island on the reservoir formed by the Linganamakki dam. It is located in the Sagara taluk of Shimoga district. This place is good for watersports and hence attracts its enthusiasts. Some of the water sports possible here are canoeing, kayaking and wind surfing. Bird-watching enthusiasts also visit this place.

Backwaters of Karnataka
Honnemaradu
Sagara