Shimoga Knowledge Guide
History
The name of the city is derived from the term "shivmoga". A version of etymology is due to the story that Lord Shiva drank the Tunga river water using "Mogge", hence the name Shiva-mogga". Another version of etymology is that the name is derived from the term "Sihi-Mogge", meaning "sweet pot". The district formed the southern tip of the Emperor Ashoka's Mauryan Empire in the third century BC. It was ruled during later centuries by the Kadambas (4th century), Chalukyas (6th century), Ganges, Rashtrakutas (8th century), Hoysalas (11th century), and the Vijayanagara rulers (15th century). The city got an independent identity under the Keladi Nayakas' rule during the 16th century. From the late 17th century, the city had been a part of the Kingdom of Mysore until the independence of India in 1947, when the Mysore state merged into the Republic of India. On 1 November 2006, the government of Karnataka announced the renaming of Shimoga to "Shivamogga", along with nine other cities in the state. The central government approved (12 cities) the request in the October 2014 and the city was renamed on 1 November 2014.
Transportation
Shimoga is well connected by road to major cities like Bangalore, Mangalore, Hubli. Two major National Highways pass through the City. The city has two railway station, and there are trains that run to and from Bangalore and Mysuru. Shimoga Airport is under construction in Sogane, 6 km south of Shimoga. The nearest international airports are Kempegowda International Airport and Mangaluru Airport.