Honnemaradu, Jog Falls - Timings, Boating, Best Time to Visit

At a distance of 21 km from Jog Falls, and 101 km from Shimoga, Honnemaradu is a small town hidden away beside the beautiful and sprawling backwaters of the Sharavathi River. It is one of the offbeat places to visit in Jog Falls.

Situated on the way to Jog Falls, Honnemaradu is located on the hills that overlook the Linganamakki Reservoir. The village derived its name from the Honne tree. However, the literal meaning of Honnemaradu is Golden Lake, a big water reservoir that was created due to the Linganamakki Dam built across River Sharavathi, and the reservoir is also known as Honnemaradu Lake after the village. The reservoir area used to be a village before the dam was built. Now, post the construction, the village is very sparsely populated and the Honnemaradu Lake is pretty much the only tourist sight.

This sleepy little town is a paradise for sport-buffs and a haven for nature-lovers. Encompassing an area of 50 km by 80 km, the reservoir at Honnemaradu is known for its stunning views of sunrise and sunset. One can undertake hiking, boating, canoeing, kayaking, and wind rafting while in Honnemaradu. Camping is allowed on the island nestled in the middle of the lake. In addition, Honnemaradu is popular with birdwatchers, who can spend hours watching and identifying the variety of birds and butterflies.

Timings: 6 AM - 5 PM

Entry: Free, Rs. 300 for Rafting, Rs. 500 - 1500 for Kayaking