The two rivers originate in Mudigere Taluk of Chikmagalur District of Karnataka along with the Nethravathi (west-flowing river, joining the Arabian Sea near Mangalore), the Tunga and the Bhadra rise at Gangamoola, in Varaha Parvatha in the Western Ghats at an elevation of 1458 metres (near Samse Village).

Though both Tunga and Bhadra rivers start at same source (Gangamoola), they flow separately for some distance and then they later unite with each other at Koodli village.

[citation needed] Piles of granite in varying shades of grey, ochre and pink dominate the landscape.

[2] In this setting the ruins of Vijayanagara and Hampi, the seat of power of the Vijayanagar empire, overlook this holy river, creating a mythological landscape merging sacred traditions about a multitude of significant divinities.

[3] The granite outcrops slowly disappear as the river flows south and the land opens into a long, broad plain ending at the rising slopes of the Sandur hills, rich in iron and manganese, beyond which is the town of Hosapete.

The Tungabhadra Dam was constructed at Hosapete in the middle of the 20th century to harness the river water, aiding the growth of agriculture and industry in the region.

[4][5] The Tungabhadra River then flows east, joining the Krishna in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana border.

[6] According to a Hindu mythological legend, after killing the demon Hiranyaksha, Varaha Swamy (the third incarnation of Vishnu) felt very tired.

Sringeri Sharada Peetham established by the Adi Shankaracharya is the most famous one on the left bank of the Tunga, about 50 km (31 mi) downstream of its origin.

The earlier Shringeri Sharada Peetham established by Adi Shankaracharya is at Koodli, the place of confluence of Tunga and Bhadra rivers.

Hampi one of the important heritage locations being listed by UNESCO is on the banks of the Tunga Bhadra River.

Nava Brindavan, an island where the final resting location of nine holy Madhva saints is in the midst of the Tunga Bhadra River.

[citation needed] A dam was constructed about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) upstream from Shimoga at Gajanur across the River Tunga.

Another major problem associated with TB Dam is increased pollution, resulting in decreasing fish population.

As road and rail transportation increased, it is now supplying water for Kurnool and Kadapa districts, through the K. C. Canal.

It impounds about 15 billion cuft of water and irrigates about 300,000 acres (1,200 km2) amount of land in Kurnool and Kadapa districts.

The livelihood of village fishermen has been harmed by regular fish kills that have exhausted Tungabhadra's fisheries.