Sadashivgad Island

History

An abandoned fort, assumed to be built in 1698 by Raja Sonde, on a hill top of 200-ft-high, which affords an eyeful of nature’s beauty, and a Durga Devi temple attracts many people. The Durga temple, assumed to be built in 1665 AD and visited by Shivaji at the Dargah of Karimuddin Ghouse Jilani, is highly attractive and has an archaeological value.

Nearest Visiting places

Daily activities include visit to Devbagh Beach Resort, sightseeing trip to Karwar shopping, temple visits etc. Karwar

With gentle waves, miles of golden sand, a tranquil ambience and acres of emerald foliage. Karwar has all the makings of the perfect seaside holiday destination. The captivating landscape is ringed with rugged hill ranges, thick woods and mysterious valleys. This paradise is said to have inspired the great Indian writer Rabindranath Tagore to pen his first play. The area’s historic attractions are the Sadashivgadh Hill Fort with a Durga Temple , the unique octagonal Church, the 300-year-old Venkatarama Temple with ochre paintings and the Naganatha Temple . Of the five islands off the coast of Karwar , Devbagh is easily the most enchanting.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation

Boat cruise across the Kali River to the Devbagh Forest Beach resort is an enchanting experience. Here the beauty of an unspoilled beach will flatten you. Kali River Bridge is a popular spot to watch the sunset. The revelations of horizons with the help of numerous Colour combinations will be a striking experience to a traveler.

Location info

• **Address:**Sadashivgad is a small village across the Kali river from the town of Karwar in Uttara Kannada.

• **District:**Uttara Kannada district

• **Nearest City:**Karwar

• Best time to visit: Best season: September to Mid- May

Climate & weather

* Summers (March to May) are accompanied by warm climate with average temperature of about 33 °C. Typically tourists avoid the hottest month May for travel.
* Monsoons (June to September) are accompanied with very heavy rains and thunderstorms and most of the beaches are deserted during the monsoon periods.
* Winters (Decemeber to February) are pleasant with average temperature hovering around 22 °C.
* Post Monsoons (September to November) are pleasant with intermittent rainfalls. This season provides spectacular natural beauty.

Things to do at Sadashivgad Island

* April-May are the period of celebrations with many festivals including Ugadi.
* September is marked with the religious rituals and immersion of Ganesh Idols associated with Ganesh Chathurdhi.
* October is thriving with Saraswathi Pooja associated with Dusserah celebrations.

Things to visit & highlights

The Sadashivgad Hill fort atop a rocky hill on the outer edge of the town affords wonderful views of the sunset and dwelling an ancient Durga temple inside its walls.
One can settle down on a rock, relax, take a meditation, breath purest of pure oxygen and take in the scenic beauty around. The long running hill ranges, the confluence of the sea and the Kali, the fishing boats, and all other gifts of nature.

How to reach Sadashivgad Island

• **Nearest Railway Station:**The nearest railway station is Hubli.

• **Nearest Airport:**Nearest airports are Goa, Mangalore and Belgaum.

**Road Transport:**There are buses to Karwar from Bangalore (520 km) and from Goa (100 km). One can reach Karwar by bus from Mangalore (273 km) and Belgaum (167 km) too.

Helpline & emergency contacts

• **Police Station:**Karwar

• **Nearest Hospital:**Karwar

• Society/Community Phone Number

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, BSNL, and Vi all provide coverage across Karnataka. 4G is reliable in Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Hubli, and along highways. Coverage may be weaker in deep forest areas of Bandipur, Nagarhole, and certain Western Ghats sections. Most hotels, resorts, and cafes in tourist areas offer free Wi-Fi.

Food & restaurants nearby

Food options are available in the nearest town. Karnataka cuisine ranges from coastal seafood to Udupi vegetarian to Coorg’s pandi curry. Dosa, idli, bisi bele bath, and filter coffee are iconic.

Nearest petrol pump

Petrol pumps are available in the nearest town or on the approach road — check locally for the closest option.

Accessibility

Accessibility information is not currently available for this site. Contact the venue directly or check with your accommodation for the latest accessibility details.

Rules & restrictions

Standard visitor rules apply. Check locally for any specific restrictions at this site.

Best photography spots

The best photography spots are typically during the golden hours (early morning and late afternoon). Scout the location first to identify the best angles, and consider the direction of light at different times of day.

Best time to visit Sadashivgad Island

October to March offers calm seas and pleasant weather for island visits. November-February is the peak season with best conditions. Avoid monsoon (June-September) when seas are rough and boat services often suspended.

Timings & opening hours

Accessible during daylight hours, typically 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Boat services to the island operate on specific schedules. Check departure and return timings locally. Monsoon services may be suspended.

Entry fee & tickets

Entry fee: INR 20-50 per person. Boat/shuttle charges: INR 100-500 per person round trip (varies by island distance). Special permits may be required for certain islands.

Duration needed

Half a day (3-4 hours) including boat travel and island exploration. Full day recommended for island with beaches and extensive walking trails.

Safety tips

Wear life jackets during boat transit. Follow boat captain’s safety instructions. Beware of slippery rocks on the island. Avoid swimming in unknown waters around the island. Check weather conditions before departure — avoid in rough seas. Carry seasickness medication if prone to motion sickness.

Things to carry

Carry drinking water, snacks, comfortable walking shoes, hat/cap, sunscreen, sunglasses, camera, power bank, and personal medications. A light jacket or umbrella is recommended during monsoon season (June-September). Carry seasickness medication, waterproof bag for electronics, extra dry clothes, towel, swimwear, and snorkelling gear if interested in underwater exploration.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest railway station on the Konkan Railway line. Nearest airport: Mangalore International Airport or Goa International Airport. Boat access from the nearest coastal town jetty.

Frequently asked questions

Q: How do I reach Sadashivgad Island? A: The island is accessible by boat from the nearest coastal town. Boat services operate during fair weather. Q: Are there accommodation options on the island? A: Most islands are day-visit destinations. Accommodation is available on the mainland. Q: What is the best time to visit? A: October to March offers calm seas and pleasant weather.

Quick facts

• Type: Tourist Attraction
• State: Karnataka
• Category: Islands

Visitor information

Please check locally for current visitor information.

Photo gallery of Sadashivgad Island

Photos coming soon. In the meantime, you can find images of Sadashivgad Island on popular travel photography sites and social media.