Bhadra Backwaters, N.R. Pura
The upper reach of the Bhadra reservoir — coracles, islands, and the tiger reserve on the far bank.
East of N.R. Pura the Bhadra spreads out into the upper arms of the reservoir that is finally held at Lakkavalli. The water is quiet, dotted with wooded islands, and the far bank is the western edge of Bhadra Tiger Reserve. Fishing families work it with coracles, and boating — where it is offered — is informal and depends on how full the reservoir is.
What to do here
- Take a coracle out with a local boatman when the level allows
- Watch for river terns and ospreys over the islands
- Photograph the reservoir at first light from the N.R. Pura side
- Combine with Simhanagadde for a full day
The best place in the district for open-water birds — river tern, osprey, cormorant, darter — and the quietest approach to the tiger reserve.
History
The backwaters were created by the Bhadra Project dam downstream at Lakkavalli. Several villages were resettled when the reservoir filled; the drowned country is still visible as stumps and bunds at low water.
Travel tips
About 72 km from Chikmagalur town. Boating is not a booked, ticketed operation here — ask in N.R. Pura on the day. Levels are lowest in April and May, when much of the shoreline is mud.
Please note
Do: wear a life jacket in a coracle and go only with a boatman who provides one. Do: keep noise down near the far bank — that is reserve forest. Don't: swim; there are crocodiles in the reservoir. Don't: buy or encourage fishing inside reserve boundaries.
Stay nearby
Places to stay around Bhadra Backwaters, N.R. Pura
Combine your trip
Places near Bhadra Backwaters, N.R. Pura
Simhanagadde Jain Kshetra
The Jwalamalini atishaya kshetra — a Jain place of miracles, and the district's Jain centre.
Kopada Veerabhadra Temple, Koppa
The temple the town is named for, in the middle of areca country.
DamBhadra Dam, Lakkavalli
One of Karnataka's oldest big dams, holding the reservoir that forms the tiger reserve's western edge.
WildlifeBhadra Wildlife Sanctuary (Muthodi)
A tiger reserve in the coffee hills