What do you usually find between two mountain ranges? A valley with a river flowing through it, perhaps. Block the flow of water by building an obstruction between the mountains and what do we get? We have a dam that can be used for irrigating farm lands and generating hydroelectric power. We have food, we have water and we have electricity. We have solved many of the problems faced by the human race. If only things were that simple. Read about a dam that is a favourite destination of tourists in Hospet, only second to the other tourist hot spot - the ruins of Hampi.

The Tungabhadra Dam (TB Dam) to the north of Bangalore is situated 5 kms from Hospet town and is the largest dam in Karnataka. Stand at either end of the dam and view the enormous amount of waterpower the dam stores. Built across the river Tungabhadra, the stored water is shared between the states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The drive to the dam winds through hills with brown patches of soil and green streaks of vegetation. The narrow roads snake through small colorful houses that dot the side of the road. The crisscross of telephone and power lines ruin an otherwise perfect picture.

If you were one of those lucky ones who visited the dam in the 90's, you could have walked over the whole length of the dam. But now, due to security reasons, entry is restricted to places at each end of the dam. The view from any point is equally spectacular. The perfect place to get a breathtaking view of the surroundings is from a building in the shape of a lighthouse atop a small hill by the side of the dam. A small garden maintained by authorities at the base of the dam is also worth seeing. When full, the water body in the dam resembles a large sea and the sight is inviting. You feel like having a swim or at least just to float. But those foolhardy enough to attempt this had better beware! It is a dangerous spot to indulge in such activities.

The flow of water from the dam can be viewed in all its glory on August 15 each year. With the advent of monsoon in the month of May-June, all the spillway gates are closed and water is stored in the dam. It is not released unless it reaches the danger mark. On Independence Day, all the 33 spillway gates are opened and water gushes out in a symbolic representation of the jubilation in the hearts of thousands of Indians when India gained Independence. The sight is beyond description!

The amount of water released is so titanic that the surrounding areas get inundated with water and a couple of low-lying bridges situated a few kilometers down the river get waterlogged. The spectacle continues into the night with the illumination of the dam adding to the beauty of the show. Thousands of people throng here to watch this grandeur and every vantage point near by is taken.

Photos and text by Vinod Chandra B V

|