Lakkavalli dam - BRP

Bhadra river project or BRP very famously know to people is a huge dam built across the River Bhadra.This place is also known as Lakkavalli dam since this is located very close to Lakkavalli village.This place is 18 Kms from Bhadravathi town.The drive from Bhadravathi through the Umblebayalu resrve forest atkes one through the densely forested area.This dam was designed By SIR M.Vishweshwaraiah , the then chief Engineer of Karnataka state.It's a 194 Ft high , multipurpose dam serving the purpose of irrigation and there is also a Generating station with two turbines.

The dam is beautiful with full of water through out the year.The dam site is very picturesque.Like any other Dam site there are lots of forested islands with the hill ranges forming a beautiful backdrop.There is also Bhadra wildlife Sanctuary in the backwaters of this dam.The Bhadra wildlife sanctuary covers an area of 492 KM square.One can spot wild animals like Tiger,leopard.Herds of Elephants,Spotted dear.The sanctuary has started a tiger-conservation project called 'Project Tiger' which is an initiative from the Indian Government.When I was a child we have seen a tiger entering the township from this reserve.

This place is equidistant from Bhadravathi as well as Shimoga.But the drive from Bhadravathis is very picturesque. The Twilight hour is the beat time to visit this area.One can capture amazing pictures.Recently the Jungle lodges have started the resort inside the Dam site area and is called River tern Lodge.Nice place to stay .Generally booked over the weekends.

Getting here :

By Road - BRP is 18 Kms from Bhadravathi and Tarikere.From Bangalore,Bhadravathi and Tarikere both are well connected by road.KSRTC has recently introduced Volvo buses which are comfortable and fast way of reaching Tarikere and Bhadravathi from Bangalore.

By Rail - Bhadravathi and Tarikere has a railway station and there are frequent trains that run to Shimoga from Bangalore and Mysore.Birur Junction is around 60 Kms from Shimoga and is well connected by train to most part of India.

Accommodation : There are lots of decent budget hotels in Bhadravathi.But there is resort River tern lodge run by Jungle lodges and is a nice place to stay.

Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary

A drive from Gajanur on the Tirtahhalli road along the backwaters of Tunga through the row of trees , amidst dense forest of Shettyhalli wildlife Sanctuary leads to a tiny little village of Mandagadde.Malnad region has two famous bird sanctuaries. One's the Uluve Bird Sanctuary and the other one is the Mandagadde Bird sanctuary. The drive from Gajanur to Mandagadde is very pleasant and the picturesque. To reach this place. One doesn't need to go through tough terrain but a simple drive on straight road one can see a tiny island formed by Tunga river.That is the Mandagadde Bird sanctuary. Three species of birds mainly the median egret, the little cormorant, and the darter visit during onset of monsoon n stay till early October for breeding and August is the peak season and total number of birds during this month is some where around 5000.
A watch tower is built on the banks of the river tunga to catch the sight of these birds. one can also sit on the river bank and have a look at these visitors dart into the water in search of their catch.One can also go for a Coracle ride to have a close look. The day I visited, I think I was extremely lucky that I got the opportunity to spot a snake bird fishing and feed it's little one. Thanks to the camera I have. Getting here :
By Road - Mandagadde is 30 Kms from Shimoga .From Bangalore,Shimoga is well connected by road.KSRTC has recently introduced Volvo buses which are comfortable and fast way of reaching Shimoga from Bangalore. Shimoga is around 270 Kms from Bangalore.
By Rail - Shimoga has a railway station and there are frequent trains that run to Shimoga from Bangalore and Mysore.Birur Junction is around 60 Kms from Shimoga and is well connected by train to most part of India.

Accommodation : There are lots of decent budget hotels in Shimoga.But , during my last visit I saw that a resort has come up near Mandagadde.It looks like this tiny village is getting a place on wildlife map finally.

Tunga Anicut

10 Km drive from Shimoga on the way to Tirthahalli road takes you to Tunga Anicut built across the river Tunga.The journey to Gajanur through lush green paddy fields and arecanut plantations is very picturesque.The dam is in S-Shape and uniqueness about the dam is , there are no huge Crest gates and is more like an Earthen Dam.Recently the height of the dam was increased.There are lots of forested islands in the Catchment area which makes the view surrounding the dam fantastic and makes an ideal picnic place.This region receives lot of rainfall and is lush green.This place has superb tropical forests and some very pretty hilly areas.

During heavy rains in monsoon, the water level in the dam raises and the water gushing out of the dam presents a sight that is attracting visitors.The day I visited, due to the copious rains during the week,water was let out of the dam as the storage in the reservoir has reached the full level. The dam is quite small and on the day of my visit Tunga was just four feet below the danger mark and provided a spectacular sight.

Getting here :

By Road - From Bangalore,Shimoga is well connected by road.KSRTC has recently introduced Volvo buses which are comfortable and fast way of reaching Shimoga from Bangalore. Shimoga is around 270 Kms from Bangalore.

By Rail - Shimoga has a railway station and there are frequent trains that run to Shimoga from Bangalore and Mysore.Birur Junction is around 60 Kms from Shimoga and is well connected by train to most part of India.

Accomodation : There are lots of decent budget hotels in Shimoga.But , there is an Inspection Bungalow in the Dam site and the reservation authority is the The Executive Engineer , Upper Tunga Project,Shimoga.The booking can be done by reaching the engineer on 08182-222972.If you want to experience the rustic malnad life, you can stay at the locals residents as well.