Sigandur temple, ferry ride, timings, Holebagilu [Updated Dec 2022]

Used the barge between Holegagilu and Sigandur one more time after 11 years. Here are the updates.

Barge/ferry timing at Holebagilu/Siganduru

Alert: Sigandur ferry had stopped carrying vehicles in peak summer when water level dropped so low that it was not possible to take more load. So May & June- keep plan B

The barge/ferry service starts at 8 AM and ends at around 5 PM. Thus if you are planning a travel early morning/late evening skip this route and take a different route to reach your destinations. Time chart below, but don’t expect barge to follow it to the minute- expect 15-20 minute variation.

Also note that the barge doesn’t operate on first come first serve basis. Buses and locals get higher priority, so private car drivers will have to wait if there are too many vehicles/buses. Google map shows this route as faster due to lesser distance but you might have to wait 30 minutes for next barge which will take away time advantage. Alternate routes between Sagar & Kollur/Kundapura are about 30 kms longer. Crew decide where you park, so you may enter first but exit last.

Some taxi drivers refuse to go on the ferry for fear of damage to their vehicles. Ferry staff want cars to be parked too close to each other and there is a bit of risk someone else may scrape your car or if barge shakes your car will rub against other vehicles or wall, though such instances are very low but can’t be ruled out.

A bridge is being built- the bridge is under construction since 2-3 years without much progress. Not sure when it will complete.

Fee now (December 2022) is 50 INR per car, 10 INR per person one way. Best to avoid this route during major festivals in Singandur temple. More photos and videos added.

Alternate routes

#	Origin-Destination	Distance via Holebagilu	Alternate route & distance
1	Sagara-Kollur	66 kms	103 kms via Hosanagara, Nagara
2	Sagara-Kundapura	103 kms	121 kms via Hosanagara, Nagara
3	Sagara -Baindoor	94 kms	117 kms via Bhatkal road
4	Sagara-Udupi	140 kms	168 kms via Thirthahalli
5	Sagara-Sigandur	41 kms	117 kms via Hosanagar, Nitutr

If you are going direct to Jog falls or Shivamogga Sigandur route will be longer

 Watch an Insta360 clip below

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—- Original Post —--

Sigandur is a place in western ghats some 50kms from Sagara and 50kms from Kollur  (Karnataka state). The place is popular because of Sigandur Chowdeshwari (Chaudamma) temple, who is believed to be powerful. But for travel enthusiasts, more attractive experience will be the ferry ride across river Sharavati.

Long long ago, when a dam was built across river sharavati (Linganamakki Reservoir  near Jog falls) which submerged lot of localities and turned places into islands. Barge service was started to help locals reach their destinations. For tourists, it also makes a nice ride, along with their vehicles. 

Having seen this in pictures, when I got the Aria I decided to take this route to reach my native. Though longer than regular Sagara-Udupi route, route via Sigandur added to fun and excitement. In Sagara town, take left turn towards Ikkeri and after covering about 40 kms, we get a place called Holebagilu (translates to River Door or entrance to the river). Being Monday afternoon, crowd was less and in about 15 mins we could get on the barge. Ferry staff have mastered the art of loading maximum vehicles on it. By seeing the size of vehicles they decide which one to be sent first and where it is to be parked. I drove the aria in reverse to park it on the ferry and got out to enjoy the ride.

Ferry ride lasted for about 20mins, giving enough time for photoshoot. Ferry (aka Jetti) is powered by two Ashok Leyland engines. About 5kms on the other side is Sigandur temple. Nothing unique as such, unless you believe in the divine power of the goddess.  After visiting the temple you may either go back or proceed towards Kollur or Hosanagara.

Point to note:

1.    On busy days like Sundays or during temple festival seasons, there can be huge rush of vehicles and since the number of barges/ferries is limited (only 2), if you wish to cross the river with your vehicle on the ferry, you may have to wait for several hours to get your turn. A more practical way will be to cross the river without the vehicle and take an auto on the other end, if you wish to return back after visiting temple. Else go very early in the day.

2.    Some taxi drivers just refuse to get their vehicle on board the ferry, fearing vehicles might rub against each other during the ride and might get damaged. I took the big aria on this ferry and nothing happened. Ferry or Barge is highly stable as it crosses the river and there’s no swinging. If going by rented vehicle, highlight this part before starting and ensure that driver has no issues. Just be sure to keep an eye on the vehicle as some people tend to lean against it or sit on it etc as the boat moves.

3.    Parking Fee: Rs 10, Ferry fee Rs 15 for cars, Re 1 per passenger

4.    Open till 5PM only, do not be late. (I’m told there can be more trips during peak season/festivals) and the guys will operate the ferry one more round if paid well, but haven’t tested these)

5.     Local vehicles, Buses get priority over tourist vehicles 

An interesting observation to me was the temple well, into which devotees threw coins, hoping that goddess would grant their wishes in exchange. A smarter way would have been to drop cheques. Even while passing Krishna River in train, train passengers used to throw coin into the river.

 Ok, finally a photo of the temple. I missed to take a long shot of the temple, so as to include the large empty field in front of it.

Above: Another barge coming from the opposite direction, with a Gajanana bus on it...

Below: Trees submerged till neck, can hint you about the depth of the water

    

Muppane ferry is another option nearby, though as good as Sigandur ferry. Read all details here. 

Nearby: Kodachadri *  Jog Falls *   Keladi * Maravanthe * Ikkeri *     Nagara Fort *

Related: Aria 4x4 review * Aria photoshoot Set 1, Set 2 * Aria in Mullayanagiri * ottinene