Navilutirtha Dam

Navilutirtha Dam, also known as Renuka Sagar Dam, is a dam and reservoir built across the Malaprabha River near Saundatti in Belagavi District, Karnataka. Constructed in 1974 as part of the Malaprabha irrigation project, it creates the Renuka Sagar reservoir. The site is notable for its scenic water spread, surrounding hills, and proximity to the Renuka Yellamma Temple, serving both irrigation and drinking water needs.

Visitors can expect a large earthen and masonry dam across the Malaprabha River forming the expansive Renuka Sagar reservoir surrounded by low hills and agricultural landscape. The area offers open viewpoints over the water, a dam wall and spillway visible during water release, and quiet surroundings suitable for sightseeing and photography. There are roadside parking areas and informal viewpoints; no major commercial development at the dam site itself.

Constructed in 1974 across the Malaprabha River under the Malaprabha Irrigation Project, the dam was built to provide irrigation to Belagavi, Dharwad, Gadag and Bagalkot districts and to supply drinking water to Hubballi-Dharwad and surrounding towns. The reservoir created is named Renuka Sagar.

The reservoir is named Renuka Sagar after Goddess Renuka Yellamma, the presiding deity of the famous Renuka Yellamma Temple at Saundatti nearby. The Malaprabha River and Navilutirtha area hold local religious importance for pilgrims visiting Saundatti.