Thirthahalli Voyage Tips and guide

Thirthahalli is in Shimoga.

Thirthahalli or Theertahalli is a town in Malnad or Malenadu or Western Ghats region of Karnataka state, India with various tourism attractions. The town is a commercial centre for this region of Karnataka state. It is on the banks of river Tunga which is tributary of Tungabhadra river which in turn is tributary of river Krishna.

60 km from Shimoga (Shivamogga) and 150 km away from Mangalore and Udupi by buses. The Indian national highway 169 (NH-169) connects Theerthahalli to Mangalore, Udipi, Shivamogga,

13°41′36″N 75°14′31″E

Map of Thirthahalli

By private buses and Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses which run regularly to fixed destinations. Private taxis are also available.

• 13.79222275.1766671 Ambuthirtha. This mountain is the start of the river Sharavathi and has a famous temple on the top. According to myth, the god Rama used his bow and arrow (Ambu) to shoot the ground, in order to quenche his wife Sita's terrible thirst. As the arrow hit the ground, water started streaming out of it and formed the river that stills runs down today. It was named after the local word for arrow: shara. At the starting point of the river lies a small pond, which surrounds a famous temple for the god Rama.  (updated Apr 2026)
• 13.740675.46032 Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary. A sanctuary on a 1.14 acres (0.46 hectares) island on the Tunga River. Over 5,000 birds nest here between July and September.  (updated Apr 2026)
• Sakrebail Elephant Camp. 
• 13.5875.313 Kuppalli. A small village. The birthplace of Jnana peetha award winner Kannada poet Kuppalli Venkatappa Puttappa (Kuvempu). His house is a museum and there is a rock monument to him.  (updated Apr 2026)
• 13.7187975.121984 Kavaledurga Fort (79 km far from Shimoga and 19 km from Thirthahalli). 9th century fort is under archaeology department of India. This is a 3 round fort with shikareshwara and Srikanteshhwara Temple at the high. and a wide ruined palace site. At the peak of mountain there is a place to view the sunset. Some beautiful ponds and lakes are built there  
• 13.82475.0345 Nagara. A historic village with a fort.  
• 13.86359875.2053686 Humcha Jain Temples. A group of 7th century temples.  (updated Apr 2026)
• 13.557575.1702787 Kundadri Hill. This has a Jain temple with a pond and good opportunities for hiking, as the natural surroundings are rather pretty. Carry your own food and drinks, as you will not find any sellers at the top.  (updated Apr 2026)
• Achakanye Falls. This is a small waterfall with less visitors. one can reach easily from Ambuthirtha, Aralsuruli and Nonabur. 
• 13.87472275.2338898 Humcha. A small town with a famous Jain temple and a pashwanatha statue.  (updated Apr 2026)

• Kigga Falls (Sirimane Falls).  (updated Apr 2026)
• 13.6618775.303449 Sri Siddhivinayak Temple.  (updated Apr 2026)

• Trekking to 13.86083374.8747221 Kodachadri peak.  (updated Apr 2026)

Spices available at local shops on roadside, Arecanut (Supari or Adike) and rice.

Fresh locally made vegetarian food available at restaurants and home stays or resorts.

Lodges & Homestays are available at some places of tourism attractions

• Kudremukh National Park