Sirsi, Karnataka

Sirsi is located at 14.62°N 74.85°E / 14.62; 74.85 (Grid Square MK74).[3] It has an elevation ranging between 1860 feet to 2600 feet above sea level, and is situated in the heart of the Western Ghats. Sirsi is about 399 kilometres (248 mi) from Bangalore. The nearest airport is located in Hubli, about 104 km (65 mi) from Sirsi. River Aghanashini begins at a place near Sirsi called "shankara honda" and flows towards the Arabian Sea in the west. The river also creates many waterfalls along its path.

The climate in Sirsi is classified as Am (Tropical Monsoon Climate) and Af (Tropical Rainforest Climate) in fewer parts. Sirsi experiences pleasant weather all over the year.The annual average temperature in Sirsi is 24.59 °C (76.26 °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 the world. 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).[4] Maximum day temperature is lowest in July or August with an average of 26.03 °C (78.85 °F) and highest in April with an average of 33.84 °C (92.91 °F) with winter temperatures dropping below 12 °C (54 °F) rarely.

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.

As of 2011,[7] the population of Sirsi within town limits was 62,335. Males constituted 51% of the population and females 49%. Sirsi had an average literacy rate of 92.82%, which was much higher than the national average of 74.05%. Male literacy was 95.26%, and female literacy 90.43%. About 12% of the population was under 6 years of age. In Sirsi City Municipal Council, the female sex ratio was 1014, whereas the state average in Karnataka was 973.

The major castes living in of Sirsi include: Havyaka Brahmin, Namadhari Naik, Madivala, Kuruba, Goud Saraswat Brahmin, Lingayat, Nadava, Rama Kshatriya, Shervegar Nayak, Gudigar, Daivajna and Ganiga.

The Havyaka Brahmins of Sirsi speak the Havyaka Kannada dialect of Kannada. The Goud Saraswat Brahmin, Daivajna and Gavli castes, which form a sizeable part of the population and Christians speak Konkani. The Muslims of Sirsi speak both Kannada and Urdu.

Yakshagana artist with Kirita depicts King

Bedara Vesha artist

Yakshagana is a classical dance drama common to the state of Karnataka mainly in the districts of Uttara Kannada, Shivamogga, Udupi, Dakshina Kannada and Kasaragod district of Kerala. There are several Yakshagana artists in and around Sirsi and it is being regularly played in Sirsi. Traditionally, Yakshaganas used to start late in the night and run entire night. Bhagavatha along with background musicians who play Chande and Maddale forms himmela. The actors who wear colorful costumes and enact various roles in the story forms Mummela. Yakshagana is sometimes simply called as Aataā in both Konkani and Kannada (meaning play).[8] Yaksha-gana literally means the song (gana) of a Yaksha. Yakshas were an exotic tribe mentioned in the Sanskrit literature of ancient India.[9]

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.[10]

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

Telephones

BSNL provides the landline telephone services and is widely used.

Radio

Dharwad AIR station can be heard on 765 kHz Medium Wave and Dharwad Vividha Bharathi can be heard on 103 MHz FM. Additionally private FM stations - Red FM(93.5 MHz) and Radio Mirchi(98.3 MHz) aired from Hubli can be heard in Sirsi.

Amateur radio

QRZ.COM lists two amateur radio operators in Sirsi using the ITU prefix VU2/VU3.

Television

Sirsi has LPT-49 TV relay station airing Doordarshan National Channel. Cable TV and Direct to Home services are widely used and these have replaced the conventional VHF/UHF TV antennas and satellite dish antennas, Sirsi.info TV.

Internet

BSNL Broadband provides fixed-line internet service.

Mobile phone services

Majority of the mobile networks have coverage only in city limits. BSNL mobile has coverage in the rural parts. Airtel, BSNL, Vodafone networks provide 3G data services. Vodafone, Airtel, Jio, Idea and Reliance communications provide 4G LTE services.

Newspapers

Prajavani, Samyukta Karnataka, Udayavani, Vijaya Karnataka, Vishwavani News and The Times of India (all published from Hubli) are the major newspapers in the area. Janamadhyama, Lokadwani, Patrakartha are the local papers. Lokadwani can also be accessed on the Internet http://lokadwani.com & Janamaadhyama Newspaper, Nuthana TV, Sumukha TV Available in http://www.sirsi.info

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.'[11]

The annual budget of the CMC Sirsi for the year 2009–10 was Rs.1534.28 lakhs, 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.[12]

• Todadevu is a special kind of thin-crust dosa made out of fresh sugarcane juice. (Most local desserts of Sirsi have Jaggery rather than sugar.)
• Kadubu: The main ingredients are Jackfruit pulp and Jaggery. The batter is prepared and, with additional ingredients, the batter is put into a container and steamed. The dessert is a local delicacy and is served hot with ghee butter.
• Karakali is a special kind of chutney which tastes very spicy. It is prepared from colocasia leaves.
• Kesari is a special sweet prepared from special small aromatic rice Sannakki, saffron and ghee. It is generally prepared during marriage ceremonies.
• Shunti Kaddi is a special sweet prepared from ginger paste and Jaggery, which is most popular during Sirsi Jathre.
• Bendu Battasu is a special sweet which is available during Sirsi Jathre.

• Banavasi, the capital of an ancient kingdom in Karnataka (state) ruled by the 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.
• Sonda, known for its Sri 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. The waterfall is a 116-meter drop (381 ft).
• Yana, known for the unusual rock formation. It is located 40 kilometres (25 mi) from Sirsi.

Other destinations

Burude Falls

• Shivaganga Falls
• Burude Falls
• Benne Hole Falls
• Pancha Linga
• Ganesh Paalu
• Mattighatta Falls
• Waate Halla Falls
• Duggumane Falls
• Kumbri Gudda
• Dhoranagiri
• Musukina Bavi
• Manjaguni Devasthana
• Jog Falls (Sagara, Shimoga District Taluk)
• 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 Yellapura
• Chandragutti (Good for trekking)

Sirsi is a destination for trekkers and nature lovers alike, owing to its location in the middle of the Western Ghats. Many viewpoints and mountain peaks provide extensive views of the Sahyadri mountain ranges. Nishane Gudda (785m), Jennukal Gudda (670m), Kailasa Gudda (690m), Kumbri Gudda (797m) and Motigudda (834m) are one among the extensive sahayadri view points here. The Region is ruled by Dense Tropical Evergreen Forest owing home to many wild animals like Tigers and Black Panther.

• Mayurasharma- Founder of Kadamba dynasty
• Adikavi Pampa- First Poet of Kannada
• Nandan Nilekani- an Indian entrepreneur
• Hardekar Manjappa- social reformer, writer and journalist, known as 'Gandhi of Karnataka'.
• Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri- Indian politician who is the 17th and current Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, 6 term MLA of sirsi.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sirsi, Karnataka.

• [www.sirsicity.mrc.gov.in State Government website for Sirsi]