tunga

Tunga is a toponym and surname used in parts of South Asia. The most common reference is to the Tunga River in Karnataka, India.

The river originates in the Western Ghats and flows eastward through the state. It joins the Bhadra River to form the Tungabhadra, a major river that runs across northern Karnataka and into the Krishna River system. The Tunga and its downstream basin contribute to irrigation and agriculture in the region and support local ecosystems.

The area around the Tunga and Tungabhadra is historically significant; the city and ruins of Hampi lie along the Tungabhadra and are tied to the region’s Vijayanagara heritage. The river system also plays a role in regional water management, including dams and reservoirs that support farmland and communities.

Beyond geography, Tunga is used as a personal name in parts of India and among diaspora communities. It also appears in various place names and cultural references associated with the region.

See also: Tungabhadra, Hampi, Western Ghats, Bhadra River.