Sirsi, Karnataka

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Sirsi
City
Clockwise from Top Right- Bheemana Gudda Peak, Yana Rock Mountain, Madhukeshwara Temple Banavasi, Unchalli Falls, Marikamba Fair-Largest fair in Karnataka, Agnhashini river, Shasralinga, Devimane Ghat view point. Sirsi City
Coordinates: 14°37′10″N 74°50′15″E / 14.61944°N 74.83750°E / 14.61944; 74.83750
Grid position	MK74
Country	Hubballi Airport , KA-31
Literacy	94.82%
Website	www.sirsicity.mrc.gov.in

Sirsi is a city and a taluk headquarter in

Sirsi is located at 14°37′N 74°51′E / 14.62°N 74.85°E / 14.62; 74.85 (Grid Square MK74).

Sirsi is classified as having a tropical monsoon climate (Am). Sirsi experiences very warm to hot afternoons and pleasant to warm mornings all through the year. The annual average temperature in Sirsi is 23.9 °C (75.0 °F). This town experiences about 25 days of hot days in a year. The hottest days are usually recorded in the months of March and April, which is the summer season in this region. The climate in Sirsi is strongly influenced by the monsoons, and the climate is tropical, moderated by proximity to the sea. During monsoons, the region receives one of the heaviest rainfall in Uttara Kannada district. As a result, the region also has a large variety of wildlife. The vegetation in the region is mainly moist deciduous, and valuable timber wood is commonly found in the forests of this region. Owing to the rich flora and fauna, deforestation and poaching have been causes for concern in recent years. Sirsi receives about 2500mm to 3500mm of rainfall annually. The climate of Sirsi is moderate and pleasant throughout the year with high humidity and day temperature usually stays warm. Annually, Sirsi's day temperature averages about 25 days of hot days with temperature more than 35 °C (95 °F) and 124 days of warm days ranging 30 °C (86 °F) to 35 °C (95 °F) and remains below 30 °C (86 °F) rest of the year (about 215 days).^[5] Maximum day temperature is lowest in July or August with an average of 24.03 °C (75.25 °F) and highest in March with an average of 35.35 °C (95.63 °F) with winter temperatures dropping below 12 °C (54 °F) rarely.

Climate in Sirsi Taluk

Sampakhanda, Kakkali, Devimane Ghat, Bandla, Hebre are nearby and under Sirsi Taluk. Sampakhanda is the coldest place where the temperature would drop below 20 °C (68 °F) often during winter season and often drops below 25 °C (77 °F) even in summer season, and it had been recorded coldest not only in Uttara Kannada district but also as the coldest place among Karnataka especially during summer season.

Demographics

Sirsi is linked to other parts of the state many state highways. A couple of National Highways are sanctioned by the Ministry of Transport, Government of India passing through Sirsi namely Yellapur-Sirsi-Talguppa and Kumta-Sirsi-Haveri which will be developed and maintained by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Sirsi is linked to neighboring district headquarters of Dharwad, Mangalore, Udupi, Haveri, Belgaum and Shimoga. The state corporation has a network of buses to all major cities and towns in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa. VRL, SRS, Seabird, Shreekumar Travels, Durgamba Travels, Sri Durgamba Travels and Sugama Transport are the major private bus operators. Premium Volvo and Corona bus services are also available.

There are 3 mountain roads otherwise known as Ghat section are available to access Sirsi, 1. Devimane Ghat Road from Kumta via Katgal, Devimane, Amminali, Total Number of Hairpin turn : 15
2. Vaddi Ghat Road from Ankola via Achave, Yana Rock Mountain, Devanahalli, Total Number of Hairpin turn : 21
3. Doddamane Ghat Road from Kumta via Mavingundi, Siddapura, Kansoor, Total Number of Hairpin turn : 15

Some roads might be dangerous to access during monsoon seasons because of slippery conditions. But these are scenic routes during June, July, August, September, October months because of monsoon.

By Train

The nearest railhead is at

In Sirsi, Holi is celebrated with a unique Carnival. Folk dance called "Bedara Vesha" is performed during the nights beginning five days before the actual festival day. The festival is celebrated every alternate year in the town which attracts a large crowd on all the five days from different parts of the India.^[12]

Dollu Kunitha is also another folk dance of Sirsi performed during Bedara Vesha and Marikamba Fair.

Sirsi Supari

Arecanut is extensively grown in this region. The arecanut grown in Sirsi has unique features like a round and flattened coin shape, particular texture, size, cross-sectional views, taste, etc. Its average dry weight is 7.5 g and average thickness is 16 mm. This unique arecanut has secured a GI tag.'^[13]

Budget information

The annual budget of the CMC Sirsi for the year 2021–22 is Rs.128.28 crores, out of which Rs.781.20 lakhs was proposed for capital expenses, Rs.462.45 lakhs towards proposed revenue payment, Rs.232.09 lakhs towards extra ordinary payment, and for development of SC&ST was Rs.9.86 lakhs.^[14]

Savoury and sweet dishes of Sirsi

• Todadevu is a thin dosa made from fresh sugarcane juice. Most local desserts of Sirsi contain jaggery and not sugar as a sweetener.
• Kadubu: The main ingredients are jackfruit pulp and jaggery. The batter is mixed with additional ingredients, put into a container and steamed. The dessert is a local delicacy and is served hot with ghee.
• Karakali is a spicy chutney prepared from colocasia leaves.
• Kesari is a sweet prepared from small-grain aromatic rice called Sannakki, saffron and ghee. It is generally made for wedding ceremonies.
• Shunti Kaddi is a sweet prepared from ginger paste and jaggery. It is most commonly served during the Sirsi Jathre.
• Bendu Battasu is a sweet which is available during the Sirsi Jathre.
• Chakke Poldya is a spicy dish made from jackfruit.

Religious places

Marikamba Temple

Sirsi's

Banavasi Madhukeshwara Temple

Banavasi is the oldest town in the Karnataka state.^[15] It has grown around the Madhukeshwara Temple dedicated to Shiva, built in the 5th century.^[16] the supreme God in Shaivism, a major branch of Hinduism.

Banavasi contains some of the oldest architectural monuments in southern India.

Shri Swarnavalli Maha Samsthana

Shree Matha is situated amidst evergreen forests near Shalmala river in Sirsi Taluk of Uttara Kannada district. Its history can be traced back to the period of Adi Shankaracharya who professed Advaita philosophy and established Mathas to propagate it. It is a famous religious center and includes 16 seemas in the Upperghat and several places in the Lowerghat and many more disciples across India. Havyaka Brahmins, Ramakshatriyas, Sheeligas, Siddhis, Marathis, Goulis, Bhandaris and Kunbis and many more are the traditional disciples of this matha.[2]

A Jain Matha exists there, and it has been headed by Bhattaraka Swasti Sri Bhattakalanka.^[19][20][21] The Sonda Jain Matha is also known as the Swadi Jain Matha.^[22]

Churches

St. Anthony's church is in Sirsi and is situated in the center of the town, and is the main church for the minority Christian population in the region. Another church is St. John Bosco Church situated on Hubli Road. Another church is Infant Jesus Church in Agasebagil. St.Paul's Mar Thoma Church is situated near the Zoo Circle. ^{[citation needed]}

Prominent places in and around the Taluk of Sirsi

• Kadamba Dynasty is 24 km away from the Sirsi town center. Banavasi is considered as the "first" capital of Karnataka state, with the current capital being Bangalore
  . Although most of the ancient grandeur of the dynasty in Banavasi has been lost, an ancient temple for Madhukeshwara (Lord Shiva) is still largely intact, and has been declared a monument of historical importance by the Archaeological Survey of India.
• Sahasralinga (Sanskrit for a thousand Shiva (deity) lingas) is another place of significance, where Shiva's sculptures carved out of stones thousands of years ago can be found in the middle of a flowing river. The river is surrounded by lush green forest; the place is about 10 km from the town center. The place is quite secluded, except during "Maha Shivaratri" celebrations, when it receives a huge number of pilgrims from the surrounding areas.
• Vadiraja Matha
  , and Swarnavalli Mutt are about 15 km (9.3 mi) away from Sirsi.
• Unchalli Falls, (also known as Keppa Joga, referring to the other waterfall nearby, Jog falls) is situated about 30 km (19 mi) from Sirsi, and is one of the biggest tourist attractions near Sirsi.^{[citation needed]} The waterfall is a 116-meter drop (381 ft).
• rock formation
  . It is located 40 kilometres (25 mi) from Sirsi.

Other destinations

• Shivaganga Falls
• Burude Falls
• Benne Hole Falls
• Pancha Linga
• Ganesh Paalu
• Mattighatta Falls
• Waate Halla Falls
• Kumbri Gudda
• Dhoranagiri
• Musukina Bavi
• Manjaguni Devasthana
• Jog Falls
• Tapovan
  – a sacred place of Shri Vadiraja swami
• Banagere Falls
• Nishane Gudda
• Unchalli Falls
• Vibhuthi Falls
• Sathodi Falls
• Sahasralinga
• Magod Falls
• Bhimana Gudda
• Goli Siddivinayaka Temple
• Kashikalyana gudda Tuduguni
• Jenkal Gudda
• Chandragutti (Good for trekking)

Notable people from Sirsi

• Mayurasharma- Founder of Kadamba dynasty
• Adikavi Pampa- First Poet of Kannada
• Nandan Nilekani- an Indian entrepreneur
• Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri- Indian politician who is the 17th and current Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, 6 term MLA of sirsi.
• Anant Kumar Hegde
  - Indian politician who was the former Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and the incumbent Member of Parliament for Uttara Kannada constituency.
• G. Devaraya Naik- He was elected as the MP to the Indian Parliament from Uttara Kannada (Canara) Constituency four times in 1980, 1984, 1989, and 1991.

References

1. ^ "District Census Handbook: Uttara Kannada" (PDF). censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 2011. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
2. ^ "Home". sirsicity.mrc.gov.in. Archived from the original on 24 December 2019. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
3. ^ "Kalyanapattana". The Hindu. 10 March 2009. Archived from the original on 14 March 2009.
4. ^ "Maps, Weather, and Airports for Sirsi, India". fallingrain.com. Archived from the original on 11 July 2015. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
5. ^ "Simulated historical climate & weather data for Sirsi". Archived from the original on 4 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
6. ^ "Karnataka Forest Department". Archived from the original on 3 August 2020. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
7. ^ "Simulated historical climate & weather data for Sirsi". Archived from the original on 4 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
8. ^ "en.climate-data.org/asia/india/karnataka/sirsi-24141/". en.climate-data.org. Archived from the original on 5 September 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
9. ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
10. ^ "Enduring art". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 10 June 2004. Archived from the original on 30 August 2004. Retrieved 6 September 2007.
11. ^ "yaksha". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 6 September 2007.
12. ^ "Bedara Vesha". The Hindu. 10 March 2009. Archived from the original on 14 March 2009.
13. ^ Kamila, Raviprasad (12 March 2019). "Arecanut gets its first GI tag for 'Sirsi Supari' - The Hindu". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
14. ^ Source: [www.sirsicity.gov.in]
15. ^ Kamat, Jyotsna (6 August 2006). "Ancient City of Banavasi". Archived from the original on 20 August 2006. Retrieved 17 August 2006.
16. ^ "Banavasi- 'Kadambothsav'". BangaloreBest. Archived from the original on 4 February 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2006.
17. ^ "Goddess Shri Marikamba". marikamba.org. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2007.
18. ^ "Marikamba Temple of Sirsi, Karnataka". durga-puja.org. Archived from the original on 12 August 2007. Retrieved 8 April 2007.
19. ^ N Shubhakara Jain (20 November 2011). "shubhakara Jain". Shubhakarajain.blogspot.com. Archived from the original on 14 August 2014. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
20. ^ "News Updates". Jainheritagecentres.com. 14 July 2010. Archived from the original on 23 August 2010. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
21. ^ "Glossary | Terms | Eastern Terms | Bhattaraka". Herenow4u.net. 16 January 2012. Archived from the original on 29 May 2012. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
22. ^ "News Updates > Jain Event Invitation". Www.Jainheritagecentres.Com. Archived from the original on 26 April 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2012.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sirsi, Karnataka.

• http://www.sirsicity.mrc.gov.in Website of the government of Sirsi