The state of Karnataka has several lakes and rivers. These rivers help irrigate the land, provide drinking water and much more. One of the main rivers that plays an important role in Karnataka is the Kaveri. This river is made up of several tributaries including one called the Suvarnavathi river.
The Suvarnavathi river is one of the southern tributaries of the river Kaveri. This river is also called the Honnuhole (Honhole) river. It begins in the Nasurghat hills in Mysore. From the place of its origin to where it converges with Kaveri, the Suvarnavathi is about 88 km long.
The Suvarnavathi river is formed when the two streams, Niredurgihalla and Araikaduhalla join the river at Badibadga. The river is joined by its tributaries Chikkahole and Yenehole before its confluence with the Kaveri. These tourist spots are ideal for day trips to appreciate nature around Mysore.
The Suvarnavathi Reservoir
The Suvarnavathi reservoir is named after the river it is built across. This reservoir is built on the river near the village of Attigulipura and about 14km from Chamarajanagara town is a local tourist attraction. The Suvarnavathi reservoir is situated 3 km from the Chikkahole reservoir. Given their proximity, they are known as twin reservoirs. The two dams are also connected through a link channel.
The reservoir was built in 1977 at a cost of Rs 299.6 lakhs. With a length spanning 1,170m and a height of 25m, it has a capacity of 1.26 tmcft. It stands adjacent to the Punajanur state forest on the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border.
Thus, the dams are set against a picturesque backdrop that make for a beautiful picnic spot. The dam is also the main source of irrigation water for the nearby villages as well as drinking water for the local fauna.