Gangamoola is one among the hills in the Western Ghats range which is located in the Chikmagalur district of the Karnataka state. Gangamoola is also referred as Varaha Parvata, and is known for being the source of three main holy rivers of Karnataka, Tunga, Bhadra and Netravathi. Gangamoola has the honour of being a part of UNESCO designated World Heritage Site.

Gangamoola is a section of the Gangamoola – Aroli – Gangrikal range of Western Ghats in Chikmagalur. It is situated at an altitude of 1458 meters above sea level; the hill is surrounded by the Kudremukh National Park. The hill is densely forested. The surrounding area of the hill is rich in magnetite-quartzite deposits which yield iron ore.

Gangamoola is the origin of three rivers, Tunga, Bhadra and Netravathi.

River Tunga from its origin flows in a north-easterly direction towards the towns of Sringeri, Thirthahalli and Shimoga. River Tunga joins River Bhadra at Koodli, a place near Shimoga.

River Bhadra from its origin flows in east and then north-east passing the town of Bhadravathi.

Nethravathi River from its origin flows west, passing the towns of Dharmasthala, Uppinangady and Mangalore before joining the Arabian Sea.

Attractions of Gangamoola include a temple of Goddess Bhagavathi and a 1.8 m Varaha image inside a cave. Gangamoola cannot be visited during the monsoons.

It is also a hotspot with more than 107 species of birds.

Source:

http://www.karnatakaholidays.com/gangamoola.php

http://www.travelchacha.com/cities/kudremukh/gangamoola.html

http://www.deshigypsy.com/ghoomakarpedia/Karnataka/Chikmagalur/gangamoola-chikmagalur.html