Shimoga district, Administrative division in Karnataka, India
Shimoga is an administrative territory in central Karnataka shaped by rivers, forested hills, and rural plains, with its main city serving as the regional center. Seven taluks divide the territory and organize local governance, each covering its own towns, villages, and natural landscapes.
The region was under the control of several South Indian dynasties over centuries, including the Kadambas during the early medieval period and later the Rashtrakutas. The Kingdom of Mysore administered the territory in later periods before it became part of Karnataka's modern administrative structure.
The area takes its name from Shiva and continues to hold religious importance, with temples across the territory drawing worshippers from nearby towns and villages each day. Kannada remains the everyday language, while traditional festivals and local craftsmanship shape much of the cultural rhythm throughout the year.
The different taluks are connected by a network of rural roads, with bus routes linking most major settlements across the area. Access to forested zones often requires local permission or guidance, especially during monsoon months when some paths may be slippery or flooded.
The Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary shelters many species native to the Western Ghats ranges and serves as a key corridor for migrating elephants across the region. Visitors in buffer zones of the sanctuary may also spot bird species that arrive from other parts of the country during cooler months.
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