Overview of the destinationI happened to be in Shimoga to visit a friend. The sight seeing was unintentional. But it was an experience that I will not forget in a hurry. If you love places where time comes to a stop, then Shimoga is the place for you.
Food, sight-seeing and shopping
Shimoga has something for everyone. For the pilgrims there are the temples, the bonus being Kodali - the meeting point of Rivers Tunga and Bhadra. For nature lovers, you just need to keep your eyes open - its beauty all over the place. My only suggestion - go with a lot of time on your hands.
Activities & things to do
There are a lot of places to see and experience. Come prepared with your travel plans.
Travel tips, How to reach, travel warnings etc.
Best way to reach Shimoga is the overnight train from Bangalore. As for Stay, the only decent place to stay is Hotel Jewel Rock which is not to say much. Please refer my hotel review for more details. Some of the state highways are in dire need of repair - especially the one that leads to Kodali. The place is not tourist friendly so ensure that you have all the information that you need before you reach Shimoga. If you do not have your own mode of travel, use Autos. They charge you Rs. 20 for most destinations withing Shimoga Town. For nearby destinations like, Kodali or the Tiger safari etc its Rs. 150 - 200 for a return trip.