Netravati River

About Netravati River

Earlier in the last century it was called as Buntwal River due to the important town of Bantwal on its banks. A reference to the River Nettrawutti, as it is mentioned in the book can be seen in the “Gazetteer of Southern India”, published in 1855, as unfordable during South-West Monsoon. It has apparent breadth of about 200 yards with a bed encumbered by large rocky masses chiefly of horneblend rock, containing spangles of mica and small garnets. Sienites also occurs, fragments of a beautiful pegmatite with flesh coloured felspar are seen in the beds of rivulets. The Netravati River is navigable by small country craft for many miles.

Many a times in the past Bantwal was submerged during the monsoon by overflowing river Netravati. Many had left the town and settled elsewhere and prospered. The major floods was as remembered by the elders of the town in 1928 and 1974.

History

Chikkamagaluru is the region where the Hoysala rulers started and spent the early days of their dynasty. According to a legend, it was at Sosevur, now identified with Angadi in Mudigere Taluk that Sala, the founder of the Hoysala dynasty, killed the legendary tiger, immortalised in the Hoysala crest[2]. However, scholars have found lot of inconsistencies in this story and it seems to be more of a folklore[3]. However, it is known that Veera Ballala II (1173 - 1220 CE), the great king of Hoysala empire, has built the Amriteshwara temple at Amrithapura in Tarikere Taluk.

Coffee was introduced into India through the Chikkamagaluru district when the first coffee crop was grown in the Baba Budan Giri Hills during 1670 AD. According to the article Origins of Coffee, the saint Baba Budan on his pilgrimage to Mecca travelled through the seaport of Mocha, Yemen where he discovered coffee. To introduce its taste to India, he wrapped seven coffee beans around his belly and got them out of Arabia. On his return home, he planted the beans in the hills of Chikkamagaluru, which are now named Baba Budan Hills in his honour.

In recent history, Chikkamagaluru was the centre of global attention in the year 1978 when the former Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi stood for elections here and got elected to Lok Sabha, the Indian Parliament.

Nearest Visiting places

* Kudremukh and Kudremukh National Park: 95 km southwest of Chikkamagaluru town is Kudremukh range (in Kannada Kudure = horse and mukha = face), so named because of the unique shape of the Kudremukh peak. Overlooking the Arabian Sea, the broad hills are chained to one another with deep valley & steep precipices. Situated at 1,894.3 meters above sea level, Kudremukh is rich in iron ore deposits. The Kudremukh Iron Ore Company conducts mining operations, benefaction and transportation of the ore as slurry through pipelines to the port at Panambur near Mangalore.

* Mullayanagiri: Mullayanagiri is part of the Baba Budan Giri Hill Ranges here. It stands 1930 meters tall and is the tallest peak in Karnataka. Its height is famous mostly for watching sunsets from. It is 16 km from Chikkamagaluru town. Driving to Mullayanagiri is worth taking a risk. On the way is Sitalayanagiri where the water in the Shiva temple neither increases nor decreases. The road to Mullayanagiri is very narrow with a views from steep cliffs. Driving to the peak is not possible and includes a trek up the hill from the half way point. There is a small temple on top of the hill. From the topmost point of the hill the Arabian Sea is visible on clear days. The small hillock in the temple compound is the highest point in Karnataka. The narrow road to the temple makes two way traffic immpossible. It is a great trekking spot in Karnataka.

* Baba Budan Giri (Datta peeta): To the north of Chikkamagaluru town is the Baba Budan Giri Range or Chandra Drona Parvatha as it was known in the ancient times, which has one of the highest mountain peaks between the Himalayas and the Nilgiris. The peak takes its name from the Muslim saint, Baba Budan, who resided here more than 150 years ago.

Location info

• **Address:**The Netravati River (or Nethravathi River) has its origins at Gangamoola at Samse in Chikkamagaluru district of Karnataka, India.

• **District:**Chikkamagaluru district

• **Nearest City:**Mangalore

• Best time to visit: except monsoon.

Climate & weather

climet is pleasent though out the year.

How to reach Netravati River

**Nearest Railway Station:**The Kadur and Tarikere taluks have railway lines passing through them. The total length of railway line passing through the district is 91 km of which 51 km is in Kadur taluk and 40 km is in Tarikere taluk. Birur station is a major junction in this district where the railway line from Bangalore bifurcates, with one line going towards Hubli and the other towards Shimoga. The district headquarters, Chikkamagaluru city does not have a railway station which is one of the reasons for the isolation of Chikkamagaluru city from the rest of the state. A new line is being laid between Kadur and Sakleshpur in Hassan district which should pass through Chikkamagaluru city

**Nearest Airport:**Chikkamagaluru district does not have an airport. Airports at Mangalore, Bangalore and Hubli can be used as an alternative. However, there are plans to develop an airport near Marle village about 10 km from Chikkamagaluru city

**Road Transport:**Chikkamagaluru district is not known for well maintained roads.[16] [17]. The poor state of the roads has hampered development of this district to some extent; more so because of the absence of even a good rail network in this district[18]. The total length of roads in this district is 7264 km[4]. There are only two National Highways that pass through this district. The National Highway NH-13 (Sholapur to Mangalore) passes through the towns of Koppa and Sringeri where as the National Highway NH-206 (Bangalore to Honnavar) passes through the towns of Kadur, Birur and Tarikere. There is a proposal to upgrade the existing state highways Tarikere-Belur, Sringeri-Hassan & Kadur-Mangalore to national highway status

Helpline & emergency contacts

• **Police Station:**Mangalore

• **Nearest Hospital:**Mangalore

• Society/Community Phone Number

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, BSNL, and Vi all provide coverage across Karnataka. 4G is reliable in Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Hubli, and along highways. Coverage may be weaker in deep forest areas of Bandipur, Nagarhole, and certain Western Ghats sections. Most hotels, resorts, and cafes in tourist areas offer free Wi-Fi.

Food & restaurants nearby

Food options are available in the nearest town. Karnataka cuisine ranges from coastal seafood to Udupi vegetarian to Coorg’s pandi curry. Dosa, idli, bisi bele bath, and filter coffee are iconic.

Hotels & accommodation nearby

Accommodation is available in the nearest town or city. Options range from budget lodges to luxury resorts. Booking ahead during Dasara (Mysore) and peak winter season is recommended.

Nearest petrol pump

Petrol pumps are available in the nearest town or on the approach road — check locally for the closest option.

Best time to visit Netravati River

Post-monsoon (October-December) offers the fullest water flow. October to March provides pleasant weather for riverside activities. Summer (April-May) has reduced flow. Monsoon (June-September) is spectacular but swimming and boating are dangerous.

Timings & opening hours

Accessible throughout the day. Best viewed during daylight hours. Monsoon season brings fullest flow but requires caution near the banks.

Entry fee & tickets

No entry fee for river access. Specific riverbank parks or viewpoints may charge nominal fees. Boating and water sports operators have their own charges.

Duration needed

30 minutes to 1 hour at a specific viewpoint. 2-3 hours for riverside walks and photography. Half a day for boating or river-based activities.

Safety tips

Do not swim in unknown river sections — currents can be deceptively strong. Avoid riverbanks during heavy rain or when water levels are rising. Never cross flooded rivers. Be cautious on slippery rocks near the water. Follow local advice about crocodile presence in certain river stretches.

Things to carry

Carry drinking water, snacks, comfortable walking shoes, hat/cap, sunscreen, sunglasses, camera, power bank, and personal medications. A light jacket or umbrella is recommended during monsoon season (June-September). For riverside picnics, carry a mat, food, and extra water. If visiting during monsoon, carry rain gear. Binoculars for birdwatching along the river.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest railway station in the district through which the river flows. Nearest airport varies by river location. KSRTC buses connect riverside towns and villages.

Things to do at Netravati River

Riverside walks and photography, birdwatching, picnicking on the banks, visiting river ghats and temples, boating (where available), fishing (with permit), and observing rural life along the river.

Things to visit & highlights

Riverbanks and ghats, temples and shrines along the river, bridges with scenic views, dams and anicuts, sandbars, and confluence points (sangam) where rivers meet.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Is swimming in Netravati River safe? A: Swimming is not recommended in most sections due to currents. Stick to shallow, known-safe areas. Q: Is fishing allowed? A: Fishing with a permit is allowed in certain sections. Check local regulations. Q: What is the best time to visit? A: October to March offers pleasant weather and good water flow.

Quick facts

• Type: Destination
• State: Karnataka
• Category: Rivers

Photo gallery of Netravati River

Photos coming soon. In the meantime, you can find images of Netravati River on popular travel photography sites and social media.