Between July and October, Jog is a study in form and spry, sparking during the day and almost golden at night when it is lit up by sulphur vapour lamps. No wonder Karnataka’s grate poet Nissar Ahmed described Jog as a leitmotif of the rich cultural and historical heritage of the state in his evergreen song Jogada Siri. Kannada film makers and actor including matinee idol Dr Rajkumar have picturised numerous romantic interludes against the backup of the falls, prancing about in the hamlet of Kargal close by, or at the bottom where a pool swirls and disappears into the rocks in the river onward journey to the Arabian Sea.

Jog is really four falls in one – Raja Rani Rocket and Roarer – which carefully coordinate to produce an aesthetic delight. Raja is the grandest, tumbling from atop the priceipice. Half-way down is Roarer, which makes up for its comparative lack of hight with an even grater sound than Raja, as if heralding his Majesty’s presence. Almost adjacent are rocket and Rani the former so named because he streams down like a rocket plummeting to the earth, an d Rani for hear grace

When it rains, one can also witness the majesty of the Dabe Falls in the Bhimeshwari Valley, about 30 km from Jog Falls. You need to drive down to Hodagadde about 25 km away, trek down about 5 km and then start the steep descent to the falls. The Lushington Falls are 35 km from Jog Falls. Drive down to Bilgi 10 km from Siddapur, and starts the 3 km trek down river before the final descent to the falls. Get to Jog on the state roads from Honnemaradu via Hiremane Cross and Choorikatte.

Tiger and Lion safari

Nine kilometers out of Shimoga is a tiger ald lion safari with over 20 of the majestic beastes roaming around in two sprawling enclosures at Tyavarekoppa. It’s worth a visit either on the way to Jog or on the return journey by road. Tyavarekoppa is on the highway between Sagar and Shimoga.

Sagar

Sagar a cultural center 80 km from Shimoga en route to Honnemardu is famous for its rural theatre exemplified by Ninasam the theatre village founded by Magsayasy Award winner K.V Subbanna… on any given day watch movie classics from all over the world in the auditorium.

Nagavalli

Located about 50 km from Honnemaradu deep in the Govardhanagiri Forest Range lies the village of Nagavalli from where one can trek to Kaanur Kote, a fort that was once the garrison and stronghold of the Pepper Queen Channabhairavadevi..