Hemavathy Dam is constructed across the river Hemavathy, an important tributary of the river Kaveri. The dam is located in Gorur, near the city of Hassan in Karnataka. Built in 1979, the reservoir has been serving multiple purposes of providing water supply for drinking and other purposes and for irrigation of the agricultural land of the nearby villages.
Hemavathy Dam is a large reservoir covering a catchment area of 2,810 sq km. With a length of 4,692 meters and a height of 58.5 meters the reservoir has gross storage capacity of 1,050.63 mcm. The reservoir has 6 large radial spillway gates.
Hemavathy dam. Image source Flickr
| QUICK FACTS | |
|---|---|
| Built on | River Hemavathy |
| Type | Earthen + Gravity Dam |
| Length | 4692 meters |
| Height | 58.5 meters above its deepest foundation |
| Catchment Area | 281 Th ha |
| Full Reservoir Level (FRL) | 489.63 meters |
| Minimum Draw Down Level (MDDL) | 872.34 meters |
| Gross storage capacity | 1050.63 mcm |
| Live storage capacity | 1013 mcm |
| Purpose | Irrigation, Drinking / Water Supply |
| Number of Spillway Gates | 6 |
| Type of Spillway Gates | Radial |
| Size of Spillway Gates | 10.67 m x 15.24 m |
| Projects | Irrigation Project |
Hemavathy Dam: A majestic picnic spot
Hemavathy dam offers a beautiful view to the visitors. The sight is more attractive when the gates of the reservoir are open and the water gushes down in a lovely manner. There is a garden covered in green grass right next to the dam which enhances the beauty of the location. The garden is often used by the locales as a picnic spot. An early morning visit to the dam offers a wonderful sight of various water birds coming to the reservoir.
The temples of Paravasudeva and Yoganarasimha are located near the dam and are popular tourist attractions of the area. The best time to visit the dam is during the months of October to March, when there is more water in the dam.
Tourist attractions near Hemavathy Dam
Hassan has many interesting sites to offer as tourist destinations. The place has several man-made structures as well as natural wonders that attract visitors to Hassan. Some of the famous tourist destinations of the town are as follows:
Shettihalli Church: This ancient church was built around 450 years ago. The beautiful Gothic architecture of the structure is a wonderful sight to observe. The uniqueness of the church lies in the fact that the church remains submerged in the backwaters of the Hemavathy River at all times of the year except summer. During the summer season the water recedes and visitors can pay a visit to the church.
Bisle Ghat or Bisle Reservge Forest: The Bisle Ghat is known for its natural beauty. This famous tourist attraction offers a majestic sight where the natural beauty of the place is enhanced by the railway lines of Mangalore and Salkeshpur passing through the area.
Veeranarayana Temple: The highly revered Veeranarayana Temple was built around 1104 AD. This ancient temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The Chalukya style of architecture of the temple has exquisitely carved sculptures covering the walls. The temple is surrounded by a number of small shrines.
District Museum: The District Museum of Hassan attracts visitors who are interested in knowing about the history of Hassan and the surrounding areas. The place houses a huge collection of antiquities that are of immense archaeological importance. The museum was established in the year 1977.
Ramanathpura Temples: The town of Ramanathpura is well-known for its temples. Located on the banks of river Cauvery, this holy town has a number of revered temples including the famous Rameshwara temple. The town also offers attractions like fish feeding and bird watching.
Mosale: Located at a distance of 14 km from Hassan, Mosale is famous for the Hoysala temples of Chennakeshava and Nageshwara. The Chennakeshava temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu while the Nageshwara temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. These two temples are famous for the beautiful Hoysala style of architecture.
Hemavathy Dam: How to reach
The nearest airport to reach the Hemavathy dam is located in Bangalore. Hassan has its own railway station that carries passengers to and from the town through a number of trains. The station has trains running from the town to several cities and towns like Bangalore, Mangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, Mysore, Hubli, etc. Hassan also has good road connectivity to nearby cities and towns like Mangalore, Bangalore, Belur, Chikmagalore, Shravanabelogola, Halebid, etc. Regular state-run buses are available from the nearby towns and cities to reach Hassan.
Resorts and hotels near Hemavathy Dam
Hassan has a good number of hotels that offer comfortable accommodation to the visitors of the city. There are hotels in every budget category for various kinds of guests. From economic hotels to comfortable home stays and luxurious resorts, Hassan offers every kind of accommodation for the guests.
Contact address and phone numbers of a few resorts and hotels of the area are listed below:
Stay Simple Riverdale Resort
Holenarasipura Taluka,
Hassan District, Karnataka, India
Phone: +91 9342999685 / 9686221155 / 080 41158187
Email: bookings@staysimple.in
Website: http://staysimple.in/riverdale-hassan/
Hotel Suvarna Regency
No. 97, B.M. Road,
Hassan – 573201
Karnataka
Phone: +91 8172 266 774 / 264 006 / 279
Fax: +91 81722 63822
Email: suvarnaregency@rediffmail.com, info@suvarnaregency.com
Website: http://www.suvarnaregency.com/#!/Home
Hotel Sarayu
Venkatadri Towers
Above Big Bazar
B.M. Road
Hassan – 573201, Karnataka
Mobile: +91 90362 94199
Fax: +91 8172 231 337 / 251 866
Email: info@hotelsarayu.com
Website: http://hotelsarayu.com/
Mallige Residency
#266, High School Field Road,
K.R. Puram, Hassan,
Karnataka – 573201 India
Phone: +91 8172 260 331 / 2/3
Mobile: +91 97316 41137
Fax: +91 8172 260 334
Email: info@malligeresidency.com
Website: www.malligeresidency.com
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