journey of a river - Malaprabha

Malaprabha is an important river in northern Karnataka; it is a tributary of river Krishna. Malaprabha originates at Kanakumbi village of Belgaum district; flows 300 km eastwards and merges with river Krishna at Kudala Sangama in Bagalkot district. Kanakumbi is situated at an altitude of 792 meters in Western Ghats and Kudala Sangama at 488 meters. Shri Mauli Devi temple marks the birthplace of Malaprabha at Kanakumbi; the place has a long history going back to prehistoric times and its a pilgrimage center.

Malaprabha's main tributaries are Bennihalla, Hirehalla and Tuprihalla - all these streams originate in Dharwad district. Malaprabha flows through a gorge near Saundatti and Munvalli villages in Belgaum district. A dam has been built across Malaprabha at Naviltheerth gorge and the reservoir is called Renukasagar. The reservoir's catchment area is approximately 11500 square kilometers. Renuka Sagar is the main source of water for Dharwad city. Water is also supplied to agricultural lands.

Along the path of Malaprabha are several places of historical and religious importance, some are listed below. Few places are not exactly on the river bank but in the vicinity.

• Shri Mauli Devi Gudi - Malaprabha's journey starts at Kankumbi
• Gangambike memorial - Jagatjyoti Basaveswara's wife Shivasharane Gangambike's Aikyasthala
• Shri Ashwatha Narasimha temple - a Vaishnava shrine with a long history
• Kadrolli - Shivasharanas of Kalyana clash with Bijjalas soldiers; Shivasharanas win
• Hunasikatti - Rudramuni Ashram, a Lingayath Matha
• Mukteshwara Devasthana - this is a Jaina shrine situated on a mound next to Malaprabha near Wakkund village.
• Naviltheerth dam and Renukasagar - post independence creation on a prehistoric site
• Saundatti fort - Ratta dynasty origin 
• Yellama Devasthana - Renukadevi temple near Saundatti
• Munvalli fort - a small fort with a beautiful temple for Hanuman
• Torgal fort - a citadel, a medieval power center
• Ramdurg fort - fort on a hillock
• Shabari Kolla - a shrine in a cleft in sandstone hills near Sureban
• Banashankari Devi temple - a shrine for Shakhambari dating back to Chalukyan times
• Shivayogi Mandir - a Lingayath monastery known for its collection of ancient Taalegari scripts
• Bachangudda - a Neolithic site and remains of two megalithic tombs
• Pattadakal - coronation center for princes of Badami Chalukyas
• Shankarlingeshwara Gudi - temple on a hillock and an ancient quarry
• Akkargal fort - a citadel on a hillock with prehistoric connections
• Maliyavvana Gudi - Chalukyan temple dedicated to Mahishamardini
• Aihole - prehistoric site and cradle of temple architecture
• Halae Layyagundi fort ruins
• Kudala Sangama - Malaprabha merges with the mighty Krishna

A folk-song on Malaprabha Nadi-

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