Sirsi | |
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City | |
 Sirsi in Karnataka | |
| Coordinates:14°37′10″N74°50′15″E / 14.61944°N 74.83750°E /14.61944; 74.83750 | |
| Grid position | MK74 |
| Country |  India |
| State | Karnataka |
| District | Uttara Kannada |
| Named after | Siris tree |
| Government | |
| • Body | City Municipal Council |
| • MLA | Bhimanna T. Naik |
| • MP | Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri |
| Area | |
| • Urban | 13.2 km2 (5.1 sq mi) |
| • Rural | 1,316 km2 (508 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 611 m (2,005 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
• City | 62,882 |
| • Rural | 124,026 |
| • Total | 186,908[1] |
| Demonyms | Sirsians |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 581401, 581402 |
| Telephone code | +91-8384 |
| Vehicle registration | KA-31 |
| Official language | Kannada[2] |
| Urban Literacy | 92.82% |
| Rural Literacy | 85.64% |
| Taluk Avarage Literacy | 88.05% |
| Climate | Tropical monsoon climate |
| Website | sirsicity |
Sirsi is a city located in theUttara Kannada district ofKarnataka state inIndia.[3] It is a tourist destination, characterized by its evergreen forests and waterfalls, and a thriving commercial centre. Administratively, Sirsi functions as the headquarters for the eponymous Taluk, Subdivision, and Educational District. The Sirsi Subdivision comprises four taluks: Sirsi, Siddapur, Yellapur, and Mundgod. The broaderSirsi Educational District encompasses these four, along with the taluks of Joida, Dandeli, and Haliyal.The local economy is predominantly driven by its agriculture-based activities. The primary cash crop cultivated in the surrounding rural areas is theareca nut locally referred to as Adike (or supāri). Notably, the 'Sirsi Supari' variety of areca nut, grown in the Sirsi subdivision, has been accorded the prestigiousGeographical Indication (GI) Tag, ensuring its authenticity and unique quality.The area is also renowned for its cultivation of various spices, includingcardamom,pepper,betel leaves, andvanilla.Rice constitutes the principal food crop grown here. TheSpices Board of India lists the prices of black pepper from Sirsi andKochi, making them the only two markets officially designated as primary price reference centers for the black pepper in India. This makes Sirsi one of the major trading centres for agricultural productions specially arecanut and spices in India.[4][5].
The city was originally named asSirise because of the abundance ofSiris tree (Sirisa in Kannada) that were commonly found in this region. Over a time, the name evolved intoSirasi and eventually came into common usage asSirsi.The earliest mention of the name "Sirise" dates back to an inscription found on a hero-stone at Tamadi Kallala (Siddapura taluk) from 1150 AD.[6]
During the reign of the Sonda rulers, Sirsi was also known by the name Kalyana Pattana.[7]
Sirsi is located at14°37′N74°51′E / 14.62°N 74.85°E /14.62; 74.85 (Grid Square MK74).[8] It has an elevation ranging between 1860 feet to 2600 feet above sea level, and is situated in the heart of theWestern Ghats.RiverAghanashini begins at a place near Sirsi called Shankara Honda and flows towards theArabian Sea in the west. The river also creates many waterfalls along its path.
Sirsi is classified as having atropical 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 inUttara 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).[9] 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.
| Sirsi, India | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Climate chart (explanation) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Climate data for Sirsi, KA, India (2001–2013) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 34.4 (93.9) | 36.4 (97.5) | 38.3 (100.9) | 39.4 (102.9) | 39.1 (102.4) | 33.8 (92.8) | 31.0 (87.8) | 30.3 (86.5) | 32.0 (89.6) | 33.2 (91.8) | 32.3 (90.1) | 32.8 (91.0) | 39.4 (102.9) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 29.35 (84.83) | 31.52 (88.74) | 34.15 (93.47) | 33.14 (91.65) | 32.32 (90.18) | 25.07 (77.13) | 24.03 (75.25) | 25.03 (77.05) | 27.29 (81.12) | 29.13 (84.43) | 29.01 (84.22) | 27.83 (82.09) | 28.99 (84.18) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 15.48 (59.86) | 16.43 (61.57) | 19.56 (67.21) | 21.90 (71.42) | 23.17 (73.71) | 21.70 (71.06) | 20.90 (69.62) | 20.70 (69.26) | 20.70 (69.26) | 20.10 (68.18) | 17.85 (64.13) | 15.83 (60.49) | 19.53 (67.15) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 5.4 (41.7) | 7.8 (46.0) | 11.2 (52.2) | 12.4 (54.3) | 16.2 (61.2) | 18.4 (65.1) | 18.1 (64.6) | 17.2 (63.0) | 15.9 (60.6) | 13.7 (56.7) | 8.4 (47.1) | 9.3 (48.7) | 5.4 (41.7) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 0.4 (0.02) | 1.4 (0.06) | 15 (0.6) | 43.5 (1.71) | 64.0 (2.52) | 539.58 (21.24) | 940 (37.0) | 842.33 (33.16) | 382.75 (15.07) | 131.83 (5.19) | 43.23 (1.70) | 2.43 (0.10) | 3,006.45 (118.37) |
| Average rainy days | 0.4 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 5.9 | 9.5 | 21.5 | 24.5 | 24 | 17.2 | 14.5 | 5.7 | 1.5 | 126.7 |
| Averagerelative humidity (%)(at 17:30IST) | 81.8 | 83.7 | 87.38 | 93.2 | 89.1 | 90.7 | 93.3 | 95.8 | 94.1 | 91.3 | 86.0 | 83.5 | 89.16 |
| Source: Karnataka Forest Department "Climatological Information for Sirsi, India.[10][11][12] | |||||||||||||
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 inUttara Kannada district but also as the coldest place amongKarnataka especially during summer season.
| Percent | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hinduism | 70.71% | |||
| Islam | 24.18% | |||
| Christianity | 4.93% | |||
| Jainism | 0.13% | |||
| Others† | 0.02% | |||
| Distribution of religions | ||||
As of 2011,[13] 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.
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 ofDharwad,Mangalore,Udupi,Haveri,Belgaum andShimoga. 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 ofHairpin turn : 15
2.Vaddi Ghat Road from Ankola via Achave, Yana Rock Mountain, Devanahalli,Total Number ofHairpin turn : 21
3. Doddamane Ghat Road from Kumta via Mavingundi, Siddapura, Kansoor,Total Number ofHairpin 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.
The nearest railhead is atTalguppa andKumta.Talguppa is 54 km (34 mi) from Sirsi.Kumta is 62 km (39 mi) from Sirsi.Haveri Railway Station is about 76 km (47 mi) from Sirsi and it has rail network to some major cities likeHubli,Davangere,Bangalore,Mumbai,Pune,Salem,Madurai,Tirunelveli. Talguppa railway connectsBengaluru city viaSagar, Karnataka. Kumta railway connectsKochi andMumbai viaMangaluru andKarwar, respectively. The major railhead is Hubli, which is the Zonal Headquarters ofSouth Western Railway zone.
The nearest airport is inHubli, and the other isBelagavi, which are about 2.5 hrs and 5 hours drive from Sirsi respectively.Belagavi is connected toBangalore, whileHubli is connected to Bangalore (direct – four flights daily),Mangalore (1 stop same equipment),Chennai (Direct), Jabalpur (1 stop same equipment) andMumbai (direct – twice daily) by air. The nearest International Airport isDabolim Airport,Goa.
Places adjacent to Sirsi, Karnataka | |
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Yakshagana is a classical dance drama common to the state of Karnataka mainly in the districts ofUttara Kannada,Shivamogga,Udupi,Dakshina Kannada andKasaragod district ofKerala. There are several Yakshagana artists in and around Sirsi where it is regularly performed. Traditionally, Yakshaganas used to start late at night and run through the entire night. Bhagavatha along with background musicians who play Chande and Maddale forms himmela. The actors, in colourful costumes, enact various roles in the story forms Mummela. Yakshagana is sometimes simply called asAataā (meaning play) in bothKonkani andKannada.[14]Yaksha-gana literally means the song (gāna) of aYaksha. Yakshas were an exotic tribe mentioned in theSanskrit literature of ancient India.[15]
In Sirsi, Holi is celebrated with a uniqueCarnival. Folk dance called "Bedara Vesha" is performed during the five nights proceeding the festival day. Also known asThe Hunter Dance, it is performed every alternate year in the town and attracts a large crowd on all the five days from different parts of India.[16]
Dollu Kunitha is another folk dance of Sirsi performed duringBedara Vesha and Marikamba Fair.
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, and taste, among others. Its average dry weight is 7.5 g and average thickness is 16 mm. This unique arecanut has secured aGI tag.[17]
TheSirsi Educational District (ಸಿರ್ಸಿ ಶೈಕ್ಷಣಿಕ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆ) is created by the State Government in 2009. It became the 34th educational district in Karnataka, with the primary goal of enhancing the management and delivery of primary and secondary education within the region. The district is headquartered in Sirsi, The establishment of this district was part of an effort to improve access to quality education in this unique, geographically vast region. It governs various government, aided, and private schools across its blocks, which include Sirsi, Siddapur, Mundagod, Yellapur, Joida, Dandeli, and Haliyal. As a testament to its success, the Sirsi Education District achieved a remarkably higher rate of 98.3% school admission rate of its target students as of 2021. This success highlights the effectiveness of its educational outreach and infrastructural efforts in serving a diverse student population.[18][19]
The Sirsi City Municipal Council (CMC) is the local governing body for civic administration in Sirsi. It is Established in 1866, the CMC is divided into 31 wards and is responsible for providing essential public utilities and services to the city residents, such as public health, waste management, and infrastructure maintenance.[20].The annual budget of the Sirsi CMC 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.[21]
Sirsi'sMarikamba temple was built in 1688 and renovated at periodic intervals. The 'Marikamba Jaathre', commemorating the goddess Marikamba, is held by the temple authorities every alternate year. Nearly 100,000 Hindu devotees from all parts of the country attend the fair, making it one of the biggest festivals in South India.
Banavasi is the oldest town in theKarnataka state.[22] It has grown around the Madhukeshwara Temple dedicated toShiva, built in the 5th century.[23] the supreme God inShaivism, a major branch ofHinduism.
Banavasi contains some of the oldest architectural monuments in southernIndia.
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.[24]
Sodhe orSonda orSwadi flourished during the Vijayanagara Empire and is a considered to be a sacred place by both Hindus andJains. Sonda is known for Shri Vadiraja Matha, Shri Swarnavalli Matha and is about 15 km (9.3 mi) from Sirsi.[25][26]
Manjuguni is one of the popular pilgrim centers located in the Uttara Kannada (North Kanara) district of Karnataka state. This place is located at a distance of 26 km from Sirsi. The temple here is dedicated to Lord Venkataramana and Goddess Padmavathi. Devotees believe that,Manjuguni is called as "Tirupati of karnataka". The temple is situated in western ghat belt, popularly known as Sahyadri hills. During winter, this place is covered by thick fog (in Kannada: Manju) and hence it is called by the name 'Manjuguni'. The temple of Lord Venkatramana is a huge complex built in Vijayanagara Style.
According to "Sri Venkatesha Mahatmya" the founder of this temple is 'Tirumala Yogi', a saint.
A Jain Matha exists there, and it has been headed byBhattaraka Swasti Sri Bhattakalanka.[27][28][29] The Sonda Jain Matha is also known as the Swadi Jain Matha.[30]
Shree Matha is situated amidst evergreen forests near Hulekal in Sirsi Taluk of Uttara Kannada district. Its history can be traced back to the period ofMadhvacharya who professed Dvaita philosophy and established Mathas to propagate it. Ancient Shri Lakshminarayana Temple in Hulekal having the first Mrittika vrindavana of Sri Vyasarajaru and The moola vrindavana of Sri Lakshmi Nivasa Teertharu.Ganiga and many more are the traditional disciples of this matha.
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