Sigandur is a temple town perched on a hillock in the middle of the Sharavathi reservoir backwaters, accessible only by boat. The Chowdeshwari temple here is an important pilgrimage site for devotees from across the Malnad region, dedicated to the goddess who is believed to be the guardian of the forest tribes of the area. The boat crossing from the shore — across glassy water with forested ghats on all sides — is the highlight of the visit.
It makes an excellent combination with Jog Falls, as both sit roughly along the same route west of Shimoga. Allow 4–5 hours for a Sigandur visit including the boat wait and crossing. The surrounding forest of the Sharavathi Wildlife Sanctuary surrounds the reservoir, and it's common to see cormorants and kingfishers on the water. The atmosphere at the temple is busy on weekends and during festival periods; weekday mornings are more peaceful.