Located at a distance of 100 Kms from Shivamogga, in perfect harmony with nature lies the cosy village of Honnemaradu. With the sparkling waters of the reservoir and the golden sand on the shores of the small island in the middle, this destination is the perfect mix of land and water.
The village gets its name from the Honne tree and literally the word Honnemaradu translates into Golden Lake. True to its meaning, the sunrise and sunset is a mesmerising sight to see from here with the golden rays glistening on top of the water. The River Sharavati is one of the few westward flowing rivers of India and its major part of the river basin lies in the Western Ghats. This river also forms the famous Jog Falls where the river falls from a height of 253 m and attracts a lot of tourists.
Honnemaradu preserves within its reach a wide range of flora and fauna and is situated on the serene back waters of River Sharavati. Being a part of the western ghats mountain ranges, this destination offers a collection of waterfalls that are hidden behind the walls of nature. One such being the Dabbe falls, snuggled within the lush green folds of Sharavati Wildlife Sanctuary. The falls look more like steps, like a terrace peeking out of a steep wall of a cliff and thus it gets the name ‘Dabbe’ which translates into ‘steps’. The natural streams of water cascading down the cliff attracts a lot of nature lovers and is a sight to behold. The legend associated with the falls is that the Hindu mythological figure of Lord Rama broke the famous bow at this very Dabbe Falls, upon the Sharavati river to win Sita’s hand in marriage. Another famous water fall located here is the Burude Falls which is famous for its lush greenery and the majestic view of the western ghats from the top.
Slowly rising up as an eco-tourism spot, Honnemaradu village is an ideal getaway for campers and water sport lovers. Windsurfing, coracling, canoeing, kayaking and scuba diving are the various water activities people participate in when visiting Honnemaradu. The camping grounds at the small island located at the center is organised by a group called as ‘Adventurers’ and visitors can book accommodation by booking two weeks prior. The camp offers a serene and calm atmosphere, surrounded by the quiet and steady breathing of the river. The one thing to note here is that Honnemaradu is not a resort and hence it invites only those who would love to wake up in the midst of nature with the sunlight streaming through the camps.
The monsoon season increases the vibrancy of the place and the area gets packed with many types of birds after, often attracting many bird watchers. The best time to visit the place is often said to be after the rains in the months of October and November.
Other places surrounding Honnemaradu includes Keladi town and the Singandur village. This captivating destination indeed offers a peaceful atmosphere and is the perfect getaway from the chaotic life of the city.
Image courtesy Renjunairva,Srinath Holla and Sarthak Banerjee from Wikimediacommons.