river at Lakkavalli at distance of 20 km from Bhadravathi city. The dam was constructed by Sir. M. Vishweshwaraiah, the then chief engineer of Karnataka state. The dam mainly serves the purpose of irrigation in and around Bhadravathi taluk and Tarikere taluk of Chikkamagaluru district. Gajanur dam is built across the river Tunga in a village called Gajanur 12 km from Shimoga city. Rivers Tunga and Bhadra originates at Varaha mountains. They meet at Koodli and become Tungabhadra river. Koodli is 16 km from Shimoga city and the Smartha monastery in Koodli was founded in 1576 CE by Jagadguru Narsimha Bharathi swami of Sringeri. Ambuteertha is located 10 km from Thirthahalli on the Thirthahalli-Hosanagara road. River Sharavathi originates at this place. Varadamoola is 6 km from Sagar town. River Varada originates at this place. Varada flows through the town of Banavasi before joining Tungabhadra. Hill stations Agumbe is 90 km west of Shimoga city. It is known as the Cherrapunji of South India. Agumbe is 650 meters above sea level. The place is famous for its sunset view. Kavaledurga is a fort on a hill above sea level. Kodachadri hills are 115 km from Shimoga city. The hills are 1343 m above sea level. Kundadri is a hill near Thirthahalli. It is famous for its rock formations. Cultural heritage Shivappa Nayaka palace and museum is in the city of Shimoga. The palace was built by Shivappa Nayaka during the 17th century CE. Kote Seetharamanjaneya temple is beside it. Sacred Heart church, built in the 1990s and second largest church of Asia, is in the city of Shimoga. It has features of Roman and Ghothic styles of architecture. The Lakshminarasimha temple is located in the Bhadravathi city. It has been built in the Hoysala style called 'trikutachala'. Chandragutti fort is near Balligavi which was built by Banavasi Kadambas. The Renukamba temple is in this village. Humcha is a Jain pilgrimage place with a Panchakuta Basadi, Humcha which was built during 10th and 11th century CE. The Kedareshvara temple is located in Kubetoor. It has been built in the Chalukyan style. Nagara, which was earlier called Bidarur, was the last capital of the Keladi kings and later taken by Hyder Ali during 1763. The Hyder Ali tank, Neelakanteshwara temple and Venkataramana temple are located in this city. Keladi and Ikkeri were the capitals of Keladi Nayakas. The places are near Sagar. Talagunda