India GOLakes in Hampi
Hampi stands on a river, the Tungabhadra, and its lakes are tanks and reservoirs around it. Sanapur Lake is a reservoir in a bowl of golden boulders on the north bank, Pampa Sarovar is a small sacred lotus tank near Anegundi, and the Tungabhadra Dam at Hosapete holds back the river itself. Further out, the village tank at Ankasamudra is one of Karnataka's great stork colonies.
The lakes one by one
Two of them are on the far bank, two are a drive away.
Sanapur Lake
An irrigation reservoir among golden boulders on the Anegundi side, about 4 km from the Virupapur Gaddi crossing or a 25 km loop by road via Kamalapura. Villagers take visitors out in coracles, and by late afternoon the boulder shores fill with people waiting for the sunset. Sanapur Lake
Pampa Sarovar
A lotus-covered tank behind Vali Parvata near Anegundi, counted among the five sacred lakes (sarovars) of India. Tradition places here the penance of the goddess Pampa, identified with Parvati, and Shabari's offering of berries to Rama; her cave sits by the water beside the small Pampambike and Pampapathi shrines. Free; shoes off at the shrines. Pampa Sarovar
Tungabhadra Dam and Gardens
At Hosapete, about 15 km from the ruins: terraced gardens and a Japanese-style park below the dam, an aquarium and a long view over the reservoir from the crest. The musical fountain plays at about 7 pm and entry is approx. ₹20; timings drift, so confirm locally.
Ankasamudra
A centuries-old village tank about 40 km out that the villagers themselves turned into a heronry. In the nesting season the acacias standing in the water carry thousands of painted storks, Indian cormorants and ibises; some 240 bird species have been recorded. It was declared a bird conservation reserve in 2017 and later listed as a Ramsar wetland.
Swimming and boats
Sanapur Lake looks inviting, but the warning boards are there for a reason: depths and undercurrents are deceptive and crocodiles have been sighted. Watch the cliff-jumpers rather than joining them. On the river, Karnataka Tourism requires life jackets for the whole coracle ride, whatever your swimming ability, and rides may be restricted or paused in heavy monsoon rain or strong currents, when the river rises and the crossings stop.
The river itself
The Tungabhadra is the water most visitors actually spend time on. Coracles (round bamboo boats turned with a single paddle) leave from the ghats near the Virupaksha and Kodandarama temples, at approx. ₹500–1,500 per boat depending on the route; details on boat rides in Hampi. The river here is protected: India's first otter conservation reserve was declared on a 34 km stretch of the Tungabhadra from Mudlapura to Kampli, taking in the Hampi heritage stretch; the river is also known for its soft-shell turtles. When the dam upstream releases a big monsoon flood, the riverside monuments go under water, as in August 2019, when the Purandara Mantapa near the Vittala Temple was half submerged.
When to go
October to February is the comfortable season for all of them. Pampa Sarovar is best early in the morning, as the lotuses open; Sanapur in the late afternoon, for the sunset on the water. The dam looks best from October to March, with the reservoir full after the monsoon, and Ankasamudra's season is November to February. Month-by-month figures are on the Hampi weather page.
FAQ
Where is Sanapur Lake?
On the north bank of the Tungabhadra, on the Anegundi side, about 4 km from the Virupapur Gaddi boat crossing. By road it is a 25 km loop via Kamalapura.
Which river flows through Hampi?
The Tungabhadra. Its Hampi stretch is part of India's first otter conservation reserve.
Are there beaches in Hampi?
No: Hampi is inland. The nearest coast, at Gokarna, is about 250 km away as the crow flies; the Gokarna page has the beaches.
Can you swim in Sanapur Lake?
It is not advisable: the warning boards point to deceptive depths and undercurrents, and crocodiles have been sighted.
Is Pampa Sarovar free to visit?
Yes. It is a working shrine, so shoes come off at the temples by the water.
What time is the fountain at Tungabhadra Dam?
The musical fountain plays at about 7 pm. Entry is approx. ₹20 for the gardens and fountain; confirm timings locally.
Sources (3)
Facts checked: 15 October 2026. Prices and hours are approximate; check locally.
The full catalogue, hidden spots and districts on the map, plus “nearby” mode.
Open in India GO