Honnemaradu, the village, having been engulfed in the mid-1960s by the Liganamakki dam, has been literally resurrected today. This haven for water sport enthusiasts, tucked away in the lush greenery of the
Western Ghats, is in the
Shimoga District in north-west
Karnataka, about 25 km from Sagar town on the way to
Jog Falls.
Honnemaradu, situated on the backwaters of the Sharavathi River, and surrounded by numerous small islands, is ideal for swimming, kayaking, canoeing, wind water surfing, island camping, trekking and bird/ butterfly watching. The common birds here are the European bee-eater, fairy blue bird, ruby-cheeked bulbul, orange-headed ground thrush and so on. Spectacular butterflies such as red helens, blue mormons, blue bottles and stripped tigers offer a visual treat.
About 10 km from Honnemaradu is Gademane, famous for its chittara art. Other interesting places around Honnemaradu are Jog Falls (26 km),
Dabbe Falls (30 km from Jog falls), Tyavarekoppa Tiger and Lion Safari (9 km out of
Shimoga), Sagar (a cultural centre), Sharavathi Valley Wildlife Sanctuary and Kaanur Kote, a fort (75 km by road). Honnemaradu can be visited at any time of the year, except during the rains in July-August.
