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TheVedavathi also known asHagari or Pedda Hagari is one of the rivers inKarnataka, India. It originates from the Bababudanagiri Mountains ofWestern Ghats and flows through the states ofKarnataka andAndhra Pradesh eventually joining theTungabhadra river. This river is often described as a "lifeline" for areas likeChitradurga District in Karnataka.[citation needed]
The Vedavati River originate from several small streams draining the region east of the Bababudanagiri hills, particularly in the valleys ofKaduru andArasikere taluks.[1] As a seasonal river, and due to ongoing human alterations to the geography of this area, some of its tributaries have dried up. Historically, the river is said to form from the confluence of two smaller rivers: the Veda and the Avathi.[2][3] The Veda originates from Ayyanakere13°26′36″N75°52′38″E / 13.44333°N 75.87722°E /13.44333; 75.87722 (Ayyanakere), and the Avathi from Madagadakeri13°29′36″N75°51′49″E / 13.49333°N 75.86361°E /13.49333; 75.86361 (Madagadakeri). These two streams converge near Tangali, close to Kaduru13°32′21″N76°02′16″E / 13.53917°N 76.03778°E /13.53917; 76.03778 (Kaduru). These river streams are now difficult to trace on present day satellite images.
The river gains a definite flow in Kaduru Taluk, then flows northeast through Hosadurga, Hiriyur, and Challakere in Chitradurga district. Further downstream, it enters Andhra Pradesh, where the Bhairavanitippa Reservoir (BT Project) is located near the state border.
The river continues intoAnantapur District, Andhra Pradesh, where it is known as the 'Hagari'. It then reenters Karnataka, passing through Bellary and Siruguppa taluks. In Bellary Taluk, the river flows through the villages of Hagari and Moka. It is called the Hagari River because it flows through Hagari Village.
Chikka Hagari[4] is a major tributary of the Vedavati River in Chitradurga. This stream historically originates from Holalkere Lake,[3] flowing through Chitradurga, Jagaluru, and Molakalmuru taluks before joining the Vedavati at Kalludevanahalli, Andhra Pradesh. Swarnamukhi is another important stream, originating in Tumakuru and joining the Vedavati near Koodlahalli, Hiriyur, Chitradurga.
The Vedavati River is a tributary of the Tungabhadra River and eventually joins it at Siddaragonde village in Siruguppa Taluk, Bellary District, on its right bank.
TheVani Vilasa Saagara reservoir (Mari Kanive Dam) constructed across river Vedavathi in Hosadurga taluk[5] built in 1897. This was first dam built in state of Mysore. There is also a famous temple dedicated to Goddessess Devi called "Kanive Mariyamma". Marikanive is a famous tourist attraction in Chitradurga District. There is a garden near the reservoir, which draws crowds on weekends.
The Bhairavanithippa project (BT Dam) is a dam constructed across the river at Bhairavanitippa village, in Gummagatta in 1961.[6]
The state government has decided to rejuvenate the Vedavathi river in Chikmagalur district, which dries up during summer. In the last 20 years, the river has flowed in full splendour only during the rainy season. It remains dry in summer due to over exploitation of water resources and unplanned development. The plan includes construction of over 810 water-harvesting structures like percolation wells, injection wells and ponds.
15°43′20″N76°57′50″E / 15.7222°N 76.9639°E /15.7222; 76.9639