Malaprabha River

The Malaprabha River is a tributary of the Krishna River and flows through the state of Karnataka in India. It rises in the Western Ghats at an elevation of 792.4 m in the state's Belgaum district. The river joins Krishna River at Kudalasangama in Bagalkot district.

Geography
Malaprabha River originates in the Sahyadri mountains at an elevation of 792.4 m at Kanakumbi village 16 km west of Jamboti village, Khanapur taluka, Belgaum District, Karnataka. At the origin of the Malaprabha is an ancient temple dedicated to Shree Mauli Devi. The temple is in R.S. No. 127 of Kankumbi. Malaprabha birthplace is a pilgrimage center with mythological origins. A symbol in rock carved by hand near the source of the river Malaprabha depicts the origin of the river for the purpose of safety showered for the well being of humankind. It is a source of highly stable mineral water. Presence of discontinuities has major effects on properties of contours at source of river. Permeability is dependent on orientation of the region.

Malaprabha flows for 304 km from Kanakumbi-Khanapur-Soundatti-(Malaprabha Dam)-Ramdurg-Nargund-Pattadkal-Kudalasangam before joining river Krishna at an elevation of 488 m at Kudala Sangama in Bagalkot district.

Tributaries
Bennihalla, Hirehalla and Tuparihalla are the major tributaries to the Malaprabha of Dharwad district.

Reservoir
Navilatirtha Dam (Navilu in Kannada means peacock) is between Saundatti and Munavalli in Belgaum District. The reservoir created by the dam is called Renukasagara. Its catchment area is 11549 km3. This reservoir irrigates more than 2000 sqkm of agricultural land.

Pilgrimage centre
There is an ancient temple of the deity Yellamma on a nearby hill. This is a pilgrimage centre for thousands of devotees. Also the temples of Aihole, Pattadakal and Badami are on the banks of the Malaprabha. These are listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.