Varahi River

Varahi River originate and flows through Western Ghats in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is also known as Halady or Haladi river in downstream areas. It joins the Arabian sea after flowing through places like Halady, Basrur, Kundapura and Gangolli. It joins with the Souparnika River, Kedaka River, Chakra River, and Kubja River which are known by Panchagangavali river and merges into the Arabian Sea. Pancha means five in Kannada and Samskrita and Ganga means river. According to mythology, Varaha is one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Varahi is consort of Varaha.

For the deity, see Varahi.

Geography

The river originates in the Western Ghats and flows into the Arabian sea. It is originates at a place called “Hebbagilu” near Agumbe in Thirthahalli taluk in the district of Shivamogga,[1] from an elevation of 730 metres (2,400 ft) above mean sea level. Many tributaries join Varahi at places such as Shettykoppa,[2] Halige, Kollavadi, and Bangaragalli. The annual rainfall varies from 20–1,280 centimetres (7.9–503.9 in).[3] The river joins the Arabian sea near Kundapura in the district of Udupi in Karnataka.

Kunchikal Falls

The major waterfall is in Hosanagara Taluk, Shimoga. It is about 25 kilometres (16 mi) from the origin of the river. There are falls of 455 metres (1,493 ft) in cascades, popularly known as Kunchikal Falls.[1] The falls do not directly drop, but jump through rocks and boulders. After construction of the dam near Mani village for Varahi Hydro electric project, the water flow in these falls was greatly reduced. Now the falls operate only during the rainy seasons.

Varahi Hydro-electric Project

A hydroelectric dam, called Mani Dam (as it is constructed near Manibail village),[4] across the Varahi river. Power generation takes place underground.[5] An underground power station built by KPCL uses water from this river near Hosangadi in Udupi district.[1] The dam is near Yadur near Masthikatte, Shimoga District. Many villages got surrounded by water of this dam. Varahi lift irrigation project, using the waters of Varahi river is being constructed since 1979 near Siddapura village of Udupi district.

References
  1. "Varahi Hydro Electric Project". Karnataka Power Corporation Limited. Archived from the original on 29 November 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
  2. "Shettykoppa". Wikimapia.org. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  3. Wallingford Handbook
  4. Govindappa D. Arekal, S. N. Ramaswamy, M. Radhakrishna Rao (2001). Flora of Shimoga District, Karnataka. Mysore,India: Prasaranga. p. 5.
  5. Forest biodiversity, Volume 1 by Sadasivam Kannaiyan.Associated Pub.Co. (2008) Page.127.


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