From Wikipedia : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhadra_River
The Bhadra River (Kannada: ಭದ್ರಾ ನದಿ) is a river in Karnataka state in southern India.
The Bhadra originates at Gangamoola near Kudremukha, Western Ghats range, and flows east across the southern part ofDeccan Plateau, joined by its tributaries the Somavahini near Hebbe, Thadabehalla, and Odirayanahalla. It flows through the towns of Horanadu, Balehonnur,Balehole and NR Pura. A Dam is built across the river near Lakkavalli which forms the Bhadra reservoir. From here the river continues its journey through the city of Bhadravathi, Karnataka. The Bhadra meets the Tunga River at Koodli, a small town near Shivamogga. The combined river continues east as the Tungabhadra, a major tributary of the Krishna, which empties into the Bay of Bengal.
From Wikipedia : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tungabhadra_River
The Tungabhadra River (kannada:ತುಂಗಭದ್ರಾ, Telugu:తుంగభద్రా) is a sacred river in southern India that flows through the state of Karnataka to Andhra Pradesh, where it serves as the chief tributary of the Krishna River. In the epic Ramayana, the Tungabhadra river was known by the name of Pampa.
It is a confluence of both the Dwaitha and the Adwaitha philosophies.
There are many holy places all along the rivers; primarily Temples of Saiva Cult on the banks of the Bhadra and all the cults on the banks of the Thunga. Sringeri, Sarada Petham established by the Adi Shnkarcaharya is the most famous one on the left bank of the Thunga, about 50 km (31 mi) downstream of its origin. Manthralayam Sree Raghavendra Swamy Muth in Kurnool District and Alampur in Mahaboobnagar Districit, known as Dakshina Kashi are the other important pilgrimage centres. There is a cluster of Nava Brahma temples constructed by the early Chalukyas. Jogulamba is the presiding deity of the place. Another important feature of the river banks is the flood protection walls all along the rivers, constructed by Sri Krishna Devaraya between 1525 and 1527 AD. You find them wherever there is a possibility of land erosion during the floods. It starts at Sringeri and ends at Kurnool; just few km from its mouth. They are of stone constructions and are still intact. Huge boulders of the size of 3′ X 4′ X 5′ are also used in its construction.
At Harihara there is a temple dedicated to Harihareshwara. Surrounding the modern town of Hampi, are the ruins of Vijayanagara, the site of the powerful Vijayanagara Empire‘s capital city and now a World Heritage Site. The site, including the Vijayanagara temple complex ruins, are being restored.
Pollution :
Industrial pollution has damaged the Tungabhadra river. Industry and mining on its banks in the Chikkamagaluru, Shimoga, Davangere, Haveri, Bellary, Koppal and Raichcur Districts of Karnataka and Kurnool and Mahaboobnagar in Andhra Pradesh (almost all the districts along the course of the river) generate enormous amounts of effluents. According to M. Shankar, “It is disturbing to note that nearly three crores of litres of effluents were being released to the Tunga from [Shimoga] every year.”[3] This is the contribution of one city which, like Bhadrvathi and Hospet, cannot boast of being an industrial city. As such it is one of the most polluted rivers in the country.
Downriver from the industries, the water has turned dark brown and has a pungent odour. Altogether, the Tungabhadra River pollution has affected 1,000,000 people in the sub-basin as most villages used the river water, previously obtained through the ancient tank system, for drinking, bathing, irrigating crops, fishing and livestock water. The livelihood of village fishermen has been harmed by regular fish kills that have exhausted Tungabhadra’s fisheries.[4]
From : http://www.shaktipeethas.org/travel-guide/topic77.html : Please follow this link for an interactive map showing the locations.
Tungabhadra river is a holy river of South india. It passes across the deccan platue. Tradition says that Tunga panam is equal to Ganga snanam. That means, *drinking Tungabhadra river water is as holy as taking bath in Ganga river. Tungabhadra Puskaralu will comes once in 12 years for a period of 12 days. This period is very holy to take bath in Tungabhadra river. Lakhs of People will dip in the river ghats to get rid off their sins. There are so many temples and historical places of interest around Tungabhadra river. This is a brief description of these temples.
This is also called as Varaha parvata. This is the birth place of Tunga river, Bhadra river and Nethravathi river. Nethravathi river goes to west and merges in Arabian sea. Tunga river and Bhadra river goes in two seperate directions and joins at Koodli to form Tungabhadra river.
Shringeri :
It is on the bank of Tunga river and is famous for Shringeri Sharada muth.It is started by Adi Shankaracharya. When Adi shankaracharya was roaming in India he saw a snake protecting a pregnent frog here. He was inspired by that sean and started a muth and named it as Sharada muth. Rishya shringa also established Shrinkala mata here.
Koodli :
This is the place where Tunga river and Bhadra river Combines to form Tungabhadra river.
Harihar :
Harihareswar temple is present here. In this temple Moola virat is in the combined form of Lord vishnu and Lord shiva.This previosly called as Guharanya and ruled by Guhasura.Lord Vishnu and Lord shiva combinely forms Harihar rupa and kílls Guhasura. From that onwards That place is called as Harihar.
Ankasamudram :
It is about 25 kms away from Hampi. Here we can see many monuments of Vijayanagara empire.
Virupaksha temple :
It is the main temple in Hampi. In this temple main Diety is Lord shiva in the form of Virupaksha. He is also called as Pampa pathi. Pampa is another name of Tungabhadra river
Anegondi :
This the original capital of Vijayanagara kingdaom present in the north side of Tungabhadra river. Opposite this town there is a temple of Lord Vishnu called Vittala temple.
Mantralayam :
It is in the border of Andhrapradesh and Karnataka states. It is famous for Sri Guru Raghavendra swamy muth. Raghavendra swamy Samadhi is present here.
Kurnool :
It is a major city in Andhrapradesh , and it is the first capital of Andhrapradesh state. River Indravathi (Handri) meets Tungabhadra here.
Alampur :
Alampur is a small village near Kurnool [about 25 km away]. It is one of the 18 shaktipeethas. Jogulamba is the main diety here. Lord shiva is in the form of Bala Brahmeshwara swamy. This village is also called as City of Temples. The temples in that village has very beautiful sculputers. All the temples in the village are under control of Archeologica department.
Sangameswaram :
This is about 10 kms away from Alampur. This is the place where Tungabhadra river merges into Krishna river. This is a place of Saptanadi sangamam. A temple of Lord shiva called Sagameshwar is present here. But now it was covered by back waters of Srisailam dam. People can visit this temple when only the water level falls down.
According to Indian Astrology Brihaspathi (Planet Jupiter) is also called as Jeeva (The one who gives life). He gives energy and activeness. It is believed that river Tungabhadra resembles Makara rasi (Capricorn of zodiac) and the time when Brihaspati enters Makara rasi is good to take holy bath in Tungabhadra. Though the entire year is holy for the sacred dips, the first and last twelve days are considered most important
Satya’s Note : Given that the water is full of effluents today, drinking may be risky unless you have tremedous faith and a strong resistant constitution.
This is a compiled post, Source Links have been given, They have all the rights.
