N R Pura history unravels as Bhadra backwaters depletes

The drastic reduction of water quantity in Bhadra backwaters this summer, reveals several interesting historical facts to those who are history enthusiasts. The remains of Lingapura arch bridge, Old Shimoga road, connectivity routes narrate century old stories.

N R Pura which was earlier called as Yedehalli was part of Lakkavalli taluk till 1882.

Yedehalli was sub-taluk till 1897 and it was named as Narasimharajapura from the day Narasimharaja Wodeyar visited Yedehalli in 1915. This area was considered as the centre of paddy cultivation as paddy was grown here in highest quantity in the State prior to the construction of Bhadra dam. With the construction of Bhadra dam submerging the agricultural land in the backwaters, the generation old rich culture, economy and connectivity routes to different towns were destroyed.

But, now the decrease in the quantity of water in backwaters has opened up the remains of the past, narrating the good old stories. Lingapura arch bridge in the backwaters can be viewed if one travels for about five kilo meters from the taluk centre via Old Shimoga road. Though the bridge was submerged in water 60 years ago, the bridge is still intact, showcasing the technological proficiency. The bridge was built using pure Indian technology century ago during the British administration.

Old road

One could reach Shimoga by travelling for about 38.4 kilo meters by travelling on this old road. But now one has to travel for about 55 km in the long route to reach Shimoga. Elders in these villages remember the bus stand that located near the arch bridge from where they used to board the bus to travel to Shimoga.

If one visits this area, one can witness the gravel road that connects Shimoga, reminds people’s existence in Haleda Nivasa, Devale Koppa, Lingapura villages, Koteda Nivasa temple, Ganapathi temple and Venkataramana temple.

Recollecting the good old days, a senior villager L Nagaraj says that his family owned land in Kanakalli village. Everyday three buses belonging to Shankar Company used to ply to Shimoga. But many villagers including him had to lose their land due to dam construction.
The fertile land and the rich heritage of this Malnad region was destroyed with the construction of the dam, that in turn helped to solve drinking water crisis.