The Town of Sirsi

First Online: April 02, 2007
Page Last Updated: February 17, 2024

Sirsi  is a town in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka state along the Western Ghats. Sirsi is surrounded by lush green areca nut farms, forests, and waterfalls. Growing and trading Supari (Areca nut or Betel nut) is the primary profession of the local people. Cardamom, chili-pepper and vanilla are also grown. 

Sirsi is famous for the Marikamba temple, built in 1688. The famous Marikamba fair takes place every other year. Millions of devotees rush in from all parts of the country to attend this magnificent fair of Shri Marikamba. Temples of Mahaganapati and Shri Gopalakrishna are the other popular attractions.

Banavasi, an ancient kingdom in Karnataka (state) which was ruled by the Kadamba dynasty is about twelve miles away from the Sirsi. Though much of the look and feel of the dynasty in Banavasi has been lost to modern day developments, an ancient Madhukeshwara temple still exists with all the ancient carvings and paintings.

K.L. Kamat/Kamat's Potpourri
The River of Lingas
The River of Lingas
The spot of Sahasralinga near Sirsi



Sahasralinga, which has  and Sodhe, famous for its Sri Vadiraja Matha are other nearby places of importance. The Sirsi Urban Co-operative bank and local Modern Education Society have been pioneers in the fields of finance and education in the area.

K.L. Kamat/Kamat's Potpourri
Gandhian Freedom Fighters
Gandhian Freedom Fighters
Pictures of Vaman and Vithal Hodike, Town of Sirsi

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