RIVERS:

The important rivers that flow through the Shimoga district are the Tunga, Bhadra, Tungabhadra, Sharavathi, Kumudvati and Varada. The Tunga and the Bhadra unite to form the Tunga-bhadra at Kudali in Shimoga taluk, 14kms,from Shimoga. The Kumudvati and the Varada are tributaries of the Tungabhadra. Every river in the district has its own mythological association.


Tunga

The river Tunga rises in the Western Ghats at Gangamula (1,199m.high) in the Varaha-Parvata in Chikmagalur district, close to the twin stream,the Bhadra. At first, its course is northcast past Srigeri to Baggunji, where it turns north-west and continues in the same direction till it reaches Tirthahalli taluk, Near Tirthahalli, it is joined by the Begarahalla from Sringeri.

Minor streams numbering about 75 run into the Tunga. Bending down for some distance to the east, it eventually flows north-east past Shimoga to Kudali where it unites with the Bhadra. Near Mandagadde, it branches for a short distance into seven streams and it is called "Yelukallu Seelu". Its banks are not so steep as those of the Bhadra. Across the Tunga, an anicut has been built at Gajannur, which is a beauty spot. It flows in the district for a length of 64.4 kms.


Bhadra

The Bhadra is one of the two main streams (the other being the Tunga), the union of which forms the Tungabhadra. Like its sister stream, the Tunga, it also rises in the Western Ghats at Gangamula in the Varaha-Parvata in Chikmagalur district, as already mentioned. It flows along the western base of the Baba Budan Mountains and enters the Shimoga district in the south of the Shimoga taluk. From there, it runs north past Bhadravati and Hole-Honnur and unites with the Tunga at Kudali in Shimoga taluk. Across the Bhadra, a magnificent reservoir has been constructed near Lakkavalli. The distance the river traverses in the district is 51.5 kms.


Tungabhadra

The river Tungabhadra is formed of the union of the Tunga and the Bhadra at Kudali, 14 kms, from Shimoga City. From the point of the confluence of the united streams, the river runs north to the border of the district and therefrom takes a north-eastern direction past Harihar, receiving on the left bank the Kumudvati (Choradi) and on the right the Haridra. From there, it runs north until joined on the left by the Varada. Then, again it turns north-east forming the boundary of the Bellary district along the whole of its western and northern sides. It joins the Krishna a few kms. Below Kurnool town in Andhra Pradesh. In Shimoga district, it flows for a distance of 48.3 kms.

The ancient name of the river is Pampa by which it is mentioned in the Ramayana and the puranas and which still survives in the name of the village Hampi which was originally known as Pampateertha. The Mahabharata refers to the Tungaveni along with the Jahnavi (the Ganga) and the Krishnaveni (the Krishna) as a sacred river.


It’s Mythological Association

A puranic legend says that Hiranyaksha, son of Kashyapa Rishi by Diti Devi, seized the earth, bore, and bore it down to the lower world. As a result, Brahmanas had to discontinue their usual rites and sacrifices. The gods and goddesses complained to Vishnu, Who assuming the form of the varaha (boar), plunged into the ocean, entered the lower world, destroyed the demon and brought up the earth again. The perspiration arising from this exertion of the boar trickled down its tusks as it rested on the Varaha Parvata and that from the long left tusk, which he had used as his weapon, issued one stream (the Tunga) and that from the firm and strong right tusk, with which he had borne up the earth, issued another stream (the Bhadra) and a third stream, the Netravati, from the netra or the eyes of the boar.


Its features

The Tungabhadra is never dry, but when the water is low, it does not admit of floats in summer. In the rainy season, it swells prodigiously and forms an extremely rapid and muddy stream. It is easily fordable in the dry season; at other times, ferry boats are used for crossing at favorable spots, where the width of the river becomes narrower and the water is deep. The waters of the Tungabhadra are reputed to have a peculiar ‘sweetness’ or ‘taste’ which has given rise to the saying "Tunga paana, Ganga snaana" (drink of the Tunga, bathe in the Ganga).


Sharavathi

The Sharavati rises at Ambuteertha, near Kavaledurga in Tirthahalli taluk. It flows in a north-westerly direction and receives the Haridravati on the right below Pattaguppe and the Yenne-hole on the left above Barangi. Near the border of the district, it bends to the west and hurls down the ghats near Jog where it is harnessed for generating electricity (see Chapter V). It discharges into the sea at Honnavar in North Kanara. Its length in the district is 32.2 kms. According to a legend, the name Sharavati means ‘arrow-born’ and the river was "formed from a dart of Ramachandra’s arrow."


Kumudwathi

The Kumudvati or Choradi, a tributary of the Tungabhadra, rises in Agastya-Parvata or the Bileshvara-betta near Humcha. It flows north near Kumsi and Shikaripur and continuing in the same direction, it forms the large Madaga tank on the very border of the district. From there, turning north-cast, it runs into the Tungabhadra at Mudanur. It flows for a distance of 17.7 kms.


Varada

The Varada, another tributary of the Tungabhadra, rises at Varadamula near Ikkeri in Sagar taluk, runs north past Chandragutti (Sorab taluk) and Banavasi (Sirsi taluk of North Kanara) and turns to the north-east. Entering the Dharwar district, it flows north, bending round gradually to the north east. South of Bankapur and Savanur, it runs with an easterly course into the Tungabhadra at Galaganatha below Havanur.

A legend says that the Varada (which means a boon-giving river) originated in the Bhagirathi water poured from his conch by Narayana (Vishnu) on the head of Shiva at Varada-mula in order to pacify the flame of austerities performed by Shiva.