Hiriyur

Hiriyur is a town and taluk capital located near Chitradurga in Karnataka renowned for having the oldest dam in Karnataka, built on the Vedavati river, and named Mari Kanive. Hiryur is situated along National Highway 4. Hiriyur is located 160 km north of Bangalore. All the buses from Bangalore going towards Hubli, Belgaum, Davanagere, Bellary pass through Hiriyur. Distance from Hiriyur to Hubballi, Karnataka is 250.0 km and travelling takes around 3 h 26 min via NH48.



Hiriyur has a normally dry climate, with low rain fall. During winter (November - February) night temperature may come down up to 18 degrees. Hiriyur is famous as a centre for regional markets. The 'santhe' attracts people from all over the district. It is also famous for the Mari Kanive, which is an architectural masterpiece constructed during the rule of the Mysore Wodeyars. C.N. Malige is one of the villges of Hiriyur taluk and it is situated between Hulithotlu and Adiralu villages. Sub office to this village is Aimangala.

Vani Vilasa Sagara

Vani Vilasa Sagara, popularly (Mari Kanive) is a dam near Hiriyur Taluk, Chitradurga District in Karnataka. It is the oldest dam in the state. The dam was built by the Mysore Maharajas pre-independence across the river Vedavathi. The dam is an exquisite piece of architecture, an engineering marvel for that time, and provides water to lots of surrounding cities, towns and villages, which are largely dry lands of the Deccan area of Central Karnataka. Distance from Holalkere Rural, Karnataka to Vani Vilasapura Dam is 66.7 km and travel time in this route is 1 h 26 min via SH47 and TH Road.

This dam is the source of domestic water for Hiriyur and Chitradurga. It irrigates more than 100 sq km of land in Hiriyur and Challakere taluks through right and left bank canals. This place is 160 km from Bangalore on the NH-4 highway and 40 km from Chitradurga. The dam was initiated by the regent queen who was a widow of Maharaja Chamaraaja Wodeyar. She is known for her social works which were exemplary. For the construction of this dam royals of Mysore had to pledge royal jewellery due to shortage of money, that is why it was named as "Vani Vilasa Sagara". Vani Vilasa was the name of youngest daughter of the then Maharaja of Mysore. This dam is higher than KRS dam of Mysore.

About Hiriyur Mari Kanive Dam