RIVER KRISHNA

1.Introduction

Krishna is a well  known name as of   Lord Krishna But Krishnaa is also the name of Droupadi or Panchali also. 

There are many Brahmin girls named either as Krishna ammal or simply Krishnaa. 

Krishna kumari is a very familiar name in Kerala among other communities. While Krishna iyer or Gopala Krishnan is named after Lord Krishna Krishnammal and krishnaa are named after River Krishna or Droupadi. There is a lengthy   interacting conversation between Krishna, Lord and Krishna ( Droupadi) in Mahabharatha. Let us see in to details of Krishna River

2. Krishna origin and flow

The Krishna River is one of the longest rivers of India (about 1300 km in length). It originates at Mahabaleswar in Maharashtra, passes through Sangli and meets the sea in the Bay of Bengal at Hamasaladeevi in Andhra Pradesh. 

The Krishna River flows through the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

The traditional source of the river is a spout from the mouth of a statue of a cow in the ancient temple of Mahadev in Mahabaleshwar.

My note- I had a room mate while undergoing JE training  by name Sangli. He was a Christian. When I enquired how he got the name so, he said his father was in Maharashtra. Nothing more he could say. 

3. Tunga bhadra

Its most important tributary is the Tungabhadra River, which itself is formed by the Tunga and Bhadra rivers that originate in the Western Ghats. Tungabhadra is known to me more because of Tungabhadra dam studied in primary classes.

4. Major tributaries of Krishna

Other tributaries include the Koyna, Bhima, Mallaprabha, Ghataprabha, Yerla, Warna, Dindi, Musi and Dudhganga rivers.

5. Nagarjuna sagar dam

Two big dams have been constructed on the river, one at Srisailam and the other at Nagarjuna Hill. The latter called Nagarjuna Sagar is considered to be the largest earth dam in the world with a natural reservoir spanning tens of square kilometres. 

Probably Nagarjuna comes more familiar due to Nagarjuna Ayurvedic products at Thodupuzha.

6. Temples along the river

Temples like Ganapati Temple of Sangli, Sangameshwar Shiva Temple at Haripur and Ramling Temple are located on the banks of river Krishna near Sangli. Out of these, Ganapati Temple of Sangli is one of the most beautiful temples of Lord Ganesha.

Popular pilgrim spots like Audumber and Narsobawadi are located on the banks of river Krishna near Sangli in Maharashtra state. Kudalasangama is located near Bagalkot, in Karnataka which is an Aikya linga of Basaveshwara. 

Srisailam, one of the twelve jyotirlingas, has an ancient temple for Lord Shiva. Sangameswara swamy temple (seen only during summer) 

Vijayawada on the left bank of the river has a famous temple situated on Indrakeeladri mountain dedicated to Goddess Kanaka Durga.

7.Why Sangameswara?

Three tributaries meet Krishna river near Sangli. Warana river meets Krishna river near Sangli at Haripur. This spot is also known as Sangameshwar. 

Panchaganga river meets Krishna river at Narsobawadi near Sangli. These places are considered among the holiest in Hindu mythology. 

It is said that Lord Dattatraya spent some of his days at Audumber on the banks of river Krishna.

8. Other names of Krishna River 

Krishna is a mighty east flowing river of peninsular India. It is the same river as Krsnavena in the Puranas or Krsnaveni in the Yoginitantra. It is also known as Kanhapenna in Jatakas and Kanhapena in the Hathigumpha inscription of Kharavela. The word Krishna also indicates dark colour. 

9Krishna River- river of three states 

Flowing through the three states Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh it covers an approximate area of 1300 kms. In India, the river waters are transparent, light, stimulating, light, appetizing and sweet. 

However the properties of river waters differ according to the areas in which they flow. The waters of the rivers nearing the sands and stone are pure; those coming from Himalayas are sweet as nectar; those flowing east from the Vindhyas are supposed to produce rheumatism, those flowing towards west are supposed to cure phlegm; those flowing though north cure digestive problems and those flowing towards west tend to excite bile. 

10. Krishna-High tide river 

River Krishna is supposed to be one of the most furious rivers of India. Contributing to its furiousness is the River Tungbhadra, which is supposed to be full of high tides. The Krishna River becomes furious especially between the months of June and August. Other Rivers which contribute to the furiousness are Koyna, Bhima, Kundali, Malaprabha, Ghataprabha, Yelra, Warna, Dindi, Musi, and Dudhganga River. 

Ecologically, this is one of the disastrous rivers in the world, in that it causes heavy soil erosion during the monsoon season. It flows fast and furious, often reaching depths of over 75 feet (23 m). 

Ironically, there is a saying in Marathi (language of Maharashtra) "sunt vaahate Krishnamaai" which means "quiet flows Krishna". This term is also used to describe how a person should be, as quiet as Krishna. 

 But, in reality, Krishna causes a high degree of erosion between June and August. During this time, Krishna takes fertile soil from Maharashtra, Karnataka and western Andhra Pradesh towards the delta region. 

11. Krishna river-Mythology 

As per the legend Krishna River is the Avatar of Lord Vishnu. This condition of Lord Vishnu is because of curse of Savitri whom he enchantised by transforming himself as her husband. 

The two rivers Veena and Koyana are supposed to be Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati. The four other rivers, viz: Koyana, Venna, Savitri and Gayatri, come out from the bull's mouth apart from Krishna and they all travel some distance before merging into Krishna. 

12 .Black soils of Krishna 

Most of the soil found around the banks of Krishna River are black soils, red soils, latarite soils, alluvium, mixed soils, red and black soils and saline and alkaline soils. Out of these the black soil is especially used in various Ayurvedic Medications to treat various skin diseases ( New information to me). 

13.Historical kingdoms along  Krishna river 

Krishna river rises at Mahabaleswar in Maharashtra in the west and meets the Bay of Bengal at Hamasaladeevi in Andhra Pradesh, on the east coast. It also flows through the state of Karnataka. 

The delta of the river is one of the most fertile regions in Bharat and Krishna delta was the home to ancient Satavahana and Ikshvaku sun dynasty kings. 

The international Kalachakra festival was celebrated in the presence of Dalai Lama in Amaravati, the capital of imperial Satavahanas who held sway over South India for 400 years and a great seat of Buddhist learning and wisdom. 

14 Current cities along Krishna River 

Sangli is the largest city on the river Krishna in Maharashtra state while Vijayawada is the largest city on the River Krishna in Andhra state . 

15.Tributaries details 

Its most important tributary is the Tungabhadra River, which is formed by the Tunga River and Bhadra River that originate in the Western Ghats. Other tributaries include the Koyna River, Bhima River (and its tributaries such as the Kundali River feeding into the Upper Bhima River Basin), Malaprabha River, Ghataprabha River, Yerla River, Warna River, Dindi River, Musi River and Dudhganga River. 

The rivers Koyna River, Vasna, Panchganga River, Dudhganga, Ghataprabha River, Malaprabha River and Tungabhadra River join Krishna from the right bank; while the Yerla River, Musi River, Maneru and Bhima rivers join the Krishna from the left bank. 

 Three tributaries meet Krishna River near Sangli. Warana River meets Krishna River near Sangli at Haripur. This spot is also known as Sangameshwar. Panchganga River meets Krishna River at Narsobawadi near Sangli. These places are very holy. 

 16. Lord Dattatreya 

It is said that Lord Dattatraya spent some of his days at Audumber on the banks of river Krishna. Temples like Dattadeva temple, which is very dear to the people of Maharashtra is located on the banks of Krishna at Narasoba Waadi and Audumber near Sangli. 

Sangameswaram of Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh is a famous pilgrim centre for Hindus where Tungabhadra and Bhavanasi rivers join Krishna. sangameswaram temple is now drowned in the Srisailam reservoir and visible for devotees only during summer when the reservoir's water level comes down 

17. Krishna Bridges 

17.1 Irwin Bridge, Sangli – 

This is one of the oldest, historic and largest bridges   built on river Krishna during the British rule. This Bridge is built of Red   coloured stone and has two passages to climb down in the middle of the bridge   and view the river water. The Ex Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Late Shri   Vasantdada Patil who led the freedom struggle in Western Maharashtra himself   jumped into river Krishna from Irwin Bridge when he was chased by the British   army. 

17.2 Ankali Bridge, Sangli – 

This is also one of the oldest bridges built during   the British rule. This bridge connects Maharashtra to Karnataka state. 

18.Chathrapathi sivaji and river Krishna 

There are many popular temples on Krishna River & Wai is also one of the popular & ancient city located on this holy river. There is a big 7 constructions called " Ghat" on his banks. 

There is " Krushnabai Utsav" celebrated for 1–2 months during January to February on these ghats. This utsav is celebrated because it is said that, Krushnabai gave Victory to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj against The Aphajhal Khan. This celebration is more than  350 years old. There is a big Ganpati mandir constructed in 1764 & it is so popular. 

19.Dams 

There are many dams constructed across the Krishna river. Some of them are 1.  Basava Sagar Dam 2  Almatti Dam 3.  Srisailam Dam 4.  Nagarjuna Sagar Dam 5.  Prakasham Barrage 6.  Jurala Dam 7.  Dhom Dam 8.  narayanpur dam 9.Amar DAM 

20.Krishna Basin 

Krishna Basin extends over an area of 258,948 km² which is nearly 8% of total geographical area of the country. The basin lies in the states of Andhra Pradesh (113,271 km²), Karnataka (76,252 km²) and Maharashtra (69,425 km²). 

Krishna river rises in the Western Ghats at an elevation of about 1337 m just north of Mahabaleshwar, about 64 km from the Arabian Sea and flows for about 1400 km and outfalls into the Bay of Bengal. The principal tributaries joining

Krishna are the Ghataprabha, the Malaprabha, the Bhima, the Tungabhadra and the Musi as told earlier. 

Most part of this basin comprises rolling and undulating country except the western border which is formed by an unbroken line of ranges of the Western Ghats. The important soil types found in the basin are black soils, red soils, literate and lateritic soils, alluvium, mixed soils, red and black soils and saline and alkaline soils. 

An average annual surface water potential of 78.1 km³ has been assessed in this basin. Out of this, 58.0 km³ is utilisable water. Culturable area in the basin is about 203,000 km², which is 10.4% of the total culturable area of the country. 

21.Floods 

In 2009 October Heavy Floods occurred, isolating 350 villages and leaving millions homeless which are never seen in over 1000 years and resulted in heavy damage to Kurnool, Mahabubnagar, Guntur, Krishna and Nalagonda Districts. 

Entire Kurnool city was  surrounded by 10 feet water for nearly 3 days. With water inflow of 1.11 million Cusec at the Prakasam Barriage, which is surpassed previous record of 1.08 Million Cusec recorded in the year 1903. 

22.From my friend and group member Sri Saikrishnan 

I think it is very appropriate to add the following interesting information sent to me by Sri Sai Krishnan  about Krishna river is added now. 

  It is recorded that most of the problems in the states of    Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra are due to this river- not only geographically, but also politically. Near Bagalkot in Karnataka is the        famous Almati Dam. The height of this dam is the cause of bitter fight  between Karnataka and AP. Similarly, the utilisation of the river in        Maharashtra under the Upper Krishna Project, is a source of friction   between  Karnataka and Maharashtra ( of course, you will find the name of         Karnataka in all river disputes, be it Krishna or Kaveri!!). One of the off shoots  of the Bagalkot project is the total submersion of the old Bagalkot town with all its historic charms. The disappearance of this holy town is resented    by the Veerashaivas as this town is closely linked to the Saint  Basaveshwara. 

Tungabhadra is also another river giving periodical warnings. Last year's  total devastation of Mantralaya must still be fresh in the minds of        everyone. This river which is the confluence of two contributing rivers-  Tunga and Bhadra- has lot of historical and pilgrim sites on its banks.         The  mighty Vijayanagar Kingdom ( Hampi ) Mantralayam on the banks of Tungabhadra. 

Sringeri ( Tunga banks ) and Bhadravathi ( Badra banks ) are some of the important places. Most of the well known Dasar Namas in Kannada        were composed either on the banks of Tungabhadra or Krishna.