Thirthahalli
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Thirthahalli is a town and Taluk headquarters in Shivamogga District, which is located in southern Karnataka state, India. The town is situated 60 Km southwest from Shivamogga city and 335km northwest of Bangalore on the banks of the Tunga River. Thirthahalli is renowned for its scenic beauty.
This town has a unique bridge built across the river Tunga which connects Thirthahalli on one side and Kuruvalli on the other side. Now, Kuruvalli has become an extension of Thirthahalli.
Sri Rameshwara Temple is the main temple of this place. Legend has it that Parasurama established this deity after washing his "Parasu" (axe) in the river Tunga to get rid of the sin of killing his mother Renuka.
To mark that occasion, every year a festival his held on "Yellu Amavasya" day. This is popularly called "Yellu Amavasya Jatre". Even though the festivities last for more than five days, three days are very important for the common public. On the day of "Yellu Amavasya", utsava murthy of lord Sri Rameshwara is taken to the river and holy abshishek is carried out on the idol in a place called "Sri. Parasurama Theertha" or which is popularly called as "Rama Theertha". Afterwards, devotees take a holy dip in "Sri. Parasurama Theertha". As per popular belief, if at all a person had committed a sin towards his/her mother (such as scolding, etc.), the same gets washed away after taking a holy dip in this theertha. There is a stone structure called "Rama Mantapa" at this spot.
Next day, the decorated temple car is pulled along the main street of Thirthahalli. This street is a narrow street having an width of approximately 30 feet. This street is called "Car Street". The big car of the temple occupies the whole width of the street. Most important thing is that, this big car climbs a steep gradient which one will not be able to see in any other place.
Next day, utsava murthy is taken on a "Teppa" (raft) on river Tunga to Kuruvalli banks and brought back. This celeberation is called "Teppotsava". On this day, a lot of colourful crackers are lit and also the river banks, Tunga Bridge and Rama Mantap are decorated with lights.
This festival normally falls on third or fourth week of December or first or second or third week of January.This festival attracts thousands of people from other cities.
Two hills adorn Thirthahalli town. First one is "Anandagiri Gudda" and the second one is "Siddeshwara Gudda". "Anandagiri Gudda" is located in Shimoga Road and "Siddeshwara Gudda" is located in Agumbe Road. Both are reachable by walk from the town. One can climb "Anandagiri" during any time of the year. It's height may be around 200 to 300 feet. There is large mantapa with a big doom on this hill. One can relax on this mantapa and can enjoy scenic beauty. "Tunga College" is on the base of this hill. For climbing "Siddeshwara Hill", the preferred months are October and November. As this is a rocky hill, people won't visit this place during other months may be because of hot rocks. This hill is also about 200 feet in height. From the top of this hill, one will be able to see the other big hills of Shimoga District such as "Kodachadri" and "Kundadri".
The great poet of Karnataka, K.V. Puttappa well known as "KUVEMPU" born in a village called Kuppalli belongs to Thirthahalli Taluk.
This taluk is having a unique record; that is two persons from this taluk are reciepents of top most literary award of India, "Jnanapeeth Award". They are Sri. Kuvempu and Sri. U.R.Ananthamurthy.
Other noted persons in Kannada Literature and Film field are Sri. T.S.R, Ms. M.K.Indira, Sri. S.V.Parameshwara Bhatta, Justice. Rama Joice, Sri. Girish Kasaravalli,
There are many beautiful places are there around Thirthahalli, viz, Agumbe (great place to watch sunset and nature), Shiblagudda (on the banks of river Tunga), Ambuthirtha (the birth place of river Sharavati) and many.
