Sulekere, Davanagere

Located at a distance of 30 km in the Channagiri Taluk of Davanagere, this lake has a history of 800 years. This lake is the main source of irrigation and it is the second largest lake in the Asian continent. It took 3 years for the completion of the tank and it is also known as Shanti Sagara. The tank receives drainage of 52 square kilometres and it is poured into the gorge built on the stream named Haridra, tributary of Tungabhadra. Legend says that the tank belonged to Swargavati, which was ruled by King Vikramaraaya. The city was submerged and the childless king adopted a male child from the village Gowda of Bilahalli. The child was named Ragiraaya and later the queen gave birth to a girl baby who was born with the blessings of Lord Shiva and she was named Shantava. The tank was built by her and since it submerged the kingdom, she was cursed to be a prostitute and hence the name, Sulekere. The tank also has a stone with the year 1311 mentioned on it.