Tourist places › River & Lake
Sharavati River
The river that carves Jog Falls, rising near Thirthahalli and ending at the Arabian Sea
The Sharavati begins its life quietly, rising near Ambutirtha in Thirthahalli taluk, before picking up tributaries and turning northwest through Sagara and Hosanagara taluks on its way to the coast. It's one of Karnataka's most economically important rivers, storing water at Linganamakki and Talakalale before the dramatic drop at Jog Falls and a final run to the Arabian Sea at Honnavar.
Its backwaters, particularly around Sigandur, are wide enough that reaching the Chowdeshwari temple there means a short boat or barge crossing rather than a bridge. The river is best experienced through its specific landmarks — Jog Falls, the Linganamakki reservoir, or the Sigandur crossing — rather than at any single viewpoint of its own.
Highlights
- Rises at Ambutirtha, near Nonabur in Thirthahalli taluk
- Feeds the Linganamakki and Talakalale reservoirs before dropping at Jog Falls
- Backwaters near Sigandur reach the Chowdeshwari temple, crossed by boat
Getting there
The Thirthahalli to Sagara route roughly follows the river's course; there's no single stop for it, so pair a visit with Jog Falls or Linganamakki Dam.