Select Country
This city was built by Krishna Deva Raya in 1520 AD, a famous ruler of Vijayanagara Era. He built this city in memory and honor of his mother Naagalaambika. The former name of Hospet was Naagalapura, but people called it as Hosa Pete, meaning- a new city. Naagalapura is still the name used by tourists coming from the West. The Tungabhadra Dam is one of the major reasons why Hospet is so famous. Tourists from all over the country visit this place in order to witness one of India’s oldest Dams.
One of the oldest Dams built in India post-independence, Tungabhadra Dam is also known as Pampa Sagar. Tungabhadra Dam is built across the Tungabhadra River, a tributary of River Krishna. The Dam lies in Hospet in the Ballari district of Karnataka and has a whopping capacity of 135,000 million cubic feet. It was built by Dr. Thirumalai Iyengar. It is a very famous tourist destination in Karnataka. The history and unique architecture of the Dam attract tourists all throughout the year. Moreover, the places near the Tungabhadra Dam have major historical importance. This Dam acts as a lifeline for the entire area in Hospet as it provides electricity, water for irrigation and helps prevent floods. The Dam gets filled during the rainy season and water is supplied through the canals for the rest of the year for multi-purpose use. The Dam site has become a famous tourist attraction and is perfect for a family picnic.
The river Tungabhadra is a wonder in itself. If you are a religious person, you will especially love to know that Tungabhadra River is considered sacred in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. This river was mentioned in the epic Ramayana by the name Pampa River. It is believed that River Tunga is a form of Lord Vishnu while Bhadra refers to Lord Shiva as these rivers meet at the confluence in Koodli. This belief indicates there is no distinction and only one god exists. The strong religious belief is evident as you can witness around 108 shiva lingas carved on a rock on the banks of Tungabhadra. The religious aspect of the river causes thousands of devotees to visit every year.The Dam is the abode of many exotic and beautiful birds. Humans are always attracted to witness the unseen or rarely seen. These birds are rare as you cannot find them around normal villages and water bodies. You can spot flamingos, storks, greater spot-billed pelicans. Over the years after the construction of the Dam, these birds have made the Dam their habitat. The river is rich with various species of fish and other aquatic animals. Tourists visit this reservoir in order to spot these rare birds and enjoy fishing with family and friends. Tungabhadra Dam has become a popular picnic spot in the area over these decades.
It is most ideal to take a stroll along the Dam in the afternoon or evening to feel the cool breeze around the calm river. If you what to know what the most beautiful part of a trip to Tungabhadra is, let me tell you that it is undoubtedly the sunset. Watching the orange sun sinking into the river bed gradually takes away all worries along with it and leave behind only a peaceful mind. You can visit this Dam with your family and spend some quality time over a picnic lunch. When visiting this Dam, make sure not to miss the sunset, as it is a beautiful sight to behold. After the awesome sunset, you can enjoy the light and sound show of the musical fountain. Sometimes you don’t need to go on adventures to release your stress, just spending time with your family and talking your heart out to your loved ones in a beautiful, peaceful environment can lift the heavy burdens from your heart.
Since Hospet lies in Karnataka, it experiences a tropical climate. If you want to visit Tungabhadra Dam, then here are the seasons experienced by this place.
The summer season kicks in during the month of March to April. During this time, the temperature varies from 33 to 43 degrees Celsius. The summer season makes Hospet very hot and dry, therefore, if you cannot tolerate heat, then it is not advisable to visit during this time. If you are visiting Hospet during the summer, then make sure to carry light clothes that will allow your skin to breathe. Since summer is the off-season here, you might get cheap deals. Also, do not forget to carry sunglasses and sunscreen.
Hospet receives heavy rainfall during the monsoon season. The Monsoon season starts in June and continues until the end of August. During this time, you can visit this place as temperatures become bearable and pleasant. If you are planning to visit this place during the monsoons, make sure that you carry your umbrella and extra clothes in case you get wet.
Winter sets in from November and continues till February. During this time, the temperature falls making it perfect for traveling. Winter is the best time to visit Hospet because of the pleasant weather. If you want to visit Hospet, then the window from September to February is perfect. You can carry warm clothes during the winter season as nights might get a bit chilly.
Purandaradasa Aradhana is a festival held in Hospet to celebrate the birthday of the famous poet, Purandaradasa.
Another festival which is celebrated in a massive way is Diwali. This festival is celebrated with loads of enthusiasm here. During Diwali, people visit the Virupaksha temple in Hospet.
Another major festival of Hospet is the Hampi festival, or better known as Hampi Utsav. It is celebrated in the month of November. This festival is a major attraction of this place. During this festival, you will get to experience dance shows, puppet shows, fireworks, live music, pomp procession, etc.
There are various options for accommodation in Hospet. From budget hotels to the really luxurious ones, Hospet has all types of accommodations to offer according to your budget. Few famous and luxurious hotels in Hospet are Hotel Malligi, Royal Orchid Central Kireeti, Shanbhag Towers International, Krishna Palace, etc.
Tungabhadra is located in Hospet, a place of historical importance. The capital city of the ancient Vijayanagara kingdom, Hampi, is only 16kms from Tungabhadra.
Situated at the entrance of Hampi, this is one of the major tourist attractions near the Hospet Dam. This palace served the Vijayanagara Empire for many years. If you want to visit this place, then you can access this place from the Hampi Bazar.
This marvelous structure is only 23 km away from the Hospet Dam. By car, it will take about 40 mins to reach this place. The Queen’s bath is constructed over a large area and has got a lot of history attached to it. This monument has verandas, Rajasthani balconies, and a gallery. In between these, lies the enormous bath. This bath is also known as a step bath as there are many steps which lead to the pool. Earlier there was a waterfall through which perfumed and cool water flowed down into the tub. All this water was controlled by underground drainage. Today most of the structure has been reduced to ruins.
The Archaeological Museum is only 23 km from Hospet Dam. This museum hosts ancient artifacts and items with archeological significance. This museum is located in the small town of Bellary. All these artifacts were shifted to this museum in 1972. Before that these artifacts were stored in elephant stables by the British. The museum has 4 galleries and a corridor that encircles the entire building. From this museum, you can get a good view of the Hampi Valley.
Among the 4 galleries, the first one exhibits artifacts and sculptures of the Saiva sect. Savia is a faith/religion and few artifacts of this faith displayed in this gallery are statues of Ganesha, Bhikshatanamurti, Shakti, Kartikeya, Virabhadra and Mahishasuramardini. In the middle of the gallery Nandi, Shivalinga and Dwaramantapa are kept.
The second gallery of the museum houses artifacts related to war like arms and armory. It also displays metal artifacts like copper plates, brass plates, etc. The third gallery displays different types of coins – silver, and gold – that were used in the Vijayanagara period. The fourth gallery displays ancient antiquities which belong to the protohistoric and prehistoric periods.
The Lotus temple, also known as Kamal Mahal, is located among the ruins in Hampi. This structure was a part of the Zenana, a place where the Queen and other royal women resided during the reign of the Vijayanagar Empire. Unlike most of the monuments in Hampi that are in ruins, this one is still intact. This monument is known as the lotus temple because the structure of the temple resembles a lotus. The central hall of the monument is shaped in the form of a lotus bud and the doors are shaped in the form of lotus petals. This structure reflects a mixture of both Indian and Islamic architectural styles. A wall surrounds this 2 storied temple. The unique thing about this temple is that it had a cooling system that kept it cool in the summers. The Kamal Mahal was truly ahead of its time.
Therefore, if you are looking for a historically rich and peaceful vacation, then Hospet is the place for you. On your next vacation, visit this place and be amazed by the brilliant structure of the Hospet Dam.
Please go back to portrait mode for the best experience
April 15, 2024 
