A Mystic and Majestic Cardinal

Kaaveri, the golden river of South India, tumbles down the Western Ghats to flow down all her way to the Bay of Bengal in the east. In her course of this journey , she drifts with all vigour and exquisiteness way down the splendid districts of the enchanting state of Karnataka namely, Madikeri, Mandya, Mysooru, Bengalooru and Chamarajanagara , cojoining her tributaries from Hassan, Kolar and Chickamagalur districts. She proffers water for drinking and irrigation to a large population. All through her path, there are places of spiritual splendour, heights of nature's mysticism , glory and uniqueness. Rightly called the "Jeeva Nadhi - Life Line" of Karnataka.

She is praised with all devotion by PurandharaDasa in his metrical composition "Kanngaliddu Yaathako Kaaveri Rangaana Noodatha".Raastra Kavi G S Shivarudrappa has glorified her in his contemporary composition "Ranganathana Yoga Nidrege Mangalada Danigaivale".

Kaaveri starts her journey bubbling out as a spring of holy sparkle at Thalakaaveri in Bhagamandala on the Brahmagiri Hills on the auspicious day of Thula Sankramana. She is welcomed with abundant devotion and honour by Kodavas, the colourful native tribes in Coorg, the Scotland of India. She hails as the mother goddess of their clan.Further the river sneaks away after few yards and shows up at Nagatheertha in Bhagamandala.Here she meets her first tributaries Sujyothi and Kannike and the confluence is called as Triveni Sangama. The Bhagamandeshwara temple built with a flair of Keralian architecture is on the banks of the Sangama.It is believed that 7 sages performed penance and is named after one of the sages who laid the Shivalinga here.It houses the images of Lord Vishnu,Shiva,Ganesha and Subrahmanya. The ceilings of this picturesque temple have wooden carvings painted with vegetable dyes depicting stories from the legends.

Tucked away between private coffee and spice estates, Abbey Falls (9km from Madikeri) make a sudden and dramatic appearance as they cascade their way down steps into limpid pools to join the river.The ideal time to visit the falls is during the monsoon.

At Edakal, six km north of Bhagamandala, the Niduhole joins the Kaaveri.The Cheruvuhole becomes a part of the Kaaveri at Charandeti, which is nine km to the north of Bhagamandala. At Pulikota, 16 km to the north of Bhagamandala, the Tantrinadi joins the Kaaveri. All these tribuatries are on the southern bank. The Kodanuru hole joins the Kaaveri near Virajpet and the Kumma river at Yedanalknad.The Chikkahole is another tributory. The Kakkabe river has her confluence with the Kaaveri near Napoklu from the southern bank. The Kodanuru hole joins her from the south beyond Balamuri. Harangi or Suvarnavathi gets that name from Gargandur where the Madapura river (originating in the Boro Hill in Madikeri taluk) and the Hattihole [flowing down from Kotebetta] join .

River Harangi has her confluence with mother Kaaveri at Kudige. Harangi changes her course in different directions. The tributaries of the Harangi are the Kakkehole [originating in the Somvarpet hills] and the Chorana hole [flowing from Kalakandur near Shanthalii]. There is a reservoir across Harangi at Hudgur called Harangi Dam. And mother Kaaveri continues her course.

The stream Lakshmanatheertha originating from the Brahmagiri peaks makes its way amidst the lush greenery of the Western ghats descends perpendicularly into a great cataract as Iruppu falls (50kms from Madikeri and 20kms from NagarahoLe National Park) to join mother Kaaveri. There is Rameshwara temple on the banks of this river , believed to be built by Shree Rama himself. Luxuriant paddy fields surrounding the temple is a treat to the eyes.

Kaaveri enters the Mandya/Mysore districts at Chunchanakatte in K R Nagar on the KRS road where she falls in two small cascades before continuing her flow further down.This forms a picturesque waterfall.The place got its name after a local chieftain Chuncha and the small dam (Katte) built during his time. However according to legend, during their exile in forest, Rama and Sita came here. The Lord created a pond for Sita to bathe in and Cauvery flowed in here. Visitors are shown a rocky niche as Seethe Bachalu (Sita’s bathing place). The few steps lead to the river and the banks with an array of boulders.Right on the bank is the very imposing temple of Sri Kodandarama consecrated during the Lord’s visit.The sanctum has the images of Kodandarama, Sita and Lakshmana. The absence of Hanuman, the obedient follower of the Lord, is well substantiated by priest who says Sri Rama who was still in Vanavasa had not yet met Hanuman while he was here!.The whole temple is built on a high courtyard reached by a few steep steps.The temple of Arkeshwara here is another large ancient temple with many Shivalingas and an idol of Goddess Parvathi.There is a small Hydroelectric Power Station here.

Further Mother Kaaveri gushes downstream for her union with two of her larger tributaries River Hemavathi from Hassan district and River Lakshmanathirtha from Kodagu.This brings copious water to Kaaveri. At this confluence is the Krishna Raja Sagara Dam India's first irrigation dam ,biggest reservoir in Asia at the time it was built (1924). It was built under the supervision of Bharata Ratna Sir M Vishweshwariah and named after the Mysore ruler Krishna Raja Wodeyar IV who had financed it.It is 3Kms long and built using surkhi (a mixture of brick powder and lime) unlike cement as of now.The world famous Brindavan gardens on the terrace of the Krishna Raja Sagar dam across the river Cauvery is planned solicitously.They are a symbol of tranquility with a myraid of fountains casacding and springing into various patterns.The musical fountains and colourful lights turn this place into an enchanting fairyland in the evenings.At 6.30 PM the garden lights up with fountains shining to different coloured lights. Adding to the charm the variety of flowerbeds glow in the light. This spectacular sight makes Brindavan gardens unique and it lasts till 8 PM every day (longer during week-ends). Every evening the gardens come alive in a burst of dazzling colours and illumination when twirling and dancing fountains lend an atmosphere of enchantment to this fairyland. Seems as an eternal paradise created by Mother Kaaveri in Mysore.

Krishnaraja Sagar also has an engineering (hydraulics) research station to study water flow, control, and design of dams. The northern bank also houses a well-established horticultural nursery providing good variety of fruit/flowering plants.

From the channels drawn from the dam, the main being the Visvesvaraya Canal, water is made available for agricultural operations of farmers in both Mysore and Mandya districts. After the construction of the reservoir, thousands of acres of lands have become major producing centres of sugar cane, rice and other crops, bringing fortune and prosperity to the people in the area.

In monsoons she flows brimful and gushes through the sluice gates which open automatically when the maximum water level of 124ft. is reached in grandeur.

The river then continues its journey on its course through the Mandya district. It's flow is controlled by the small check dams