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Krishna Raja Sagara

Krishna Raja Sagara Dam

About:

Krishna Raja Sagara also popularly known as KRS is the name of both a lake and the dam that causes it.In 1924[1]. Mokshagundam Visvesvarayya served as the chief engineer. The dam is named for the then ruler of the Mysore Kingdom, Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV.For information about the settlement near the dam and reservoir, see Krishnarajasagara. The dam is across Kaveri River, in Mandya District near Mysore in Karnataka state. There is an ornamental garden attached to the dam, called Brindavan Gardens, making it a popular tourist place and picnic location.KRS is located 12 km from Srirangapatna in Mandya District, Karnataka. The remarkable dam is skillfully built across the River Cauvery and lies very close to Mysore.The dam features 130 ft height and 152 sluice gates. It is built close to confluence of three rivers cauvery, Hemavathi & Lakshmana Teertha. The length of the dam is 2621 meters & height 39 meters. The reservoir itself is spread over an area of 130 Sq. Kms.

The Brindavan Gardens is a show garden that has a beautiful botanical park, full of exciting fountains, as well as boat rides beneath the dam. Diwans of Mysore planned and built the gardens in connection with the construction of the dam. The garden is designed based on the Shalimar Gardens of Kashmir in the Mughal style. KRS Dam was the first to install automated Crest gates during 1920 which was again initiated by Sir. M V. Display items include a musical fountain. Various biological research departments are housed here.These gardens are very gracefully decorated and have many colorful fountains. These fountains are usually decorated with lights, making it a visual treat for the viewers every evening.It is a mesmerizing sight when the whole garden is lit up in the evenings. Today, the Brindavan Gardens is world famous for its ethereal beauty, grandeur and illumination/ musical fountain.

Location info:

Address:
District: Mandya District
Nearest City: Krishnarajasagara/Mysore
Best time to visit: Any time.

Climate/Weather:

 

History:

The dam was built across river Kaveri, the life river for Mysore and Mandya districts, in 1924[1]. Mokshagundam Visvesvarayya served as the chief engineer. The dam is named for the then ruler of the Mysore Kingdom, Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV.The creative beautification of the whole dam complex has been the achievement of Sir Mirza Ismail, the then Dewan of the princely State of Mysore. Horticulture in 1927 started the work of laying out this garden.

Interesting things to do:

Boat rides beneath the dam

The boating pond in the midst of the garden is a location where the visitors can enjoy a boat ride around the famous statue of Goddess Kaveri.

A laser show can be watched.

The festival season of Dusshera (September/October) is celebrated in grand style in Mysore. On the last day, of the 10 day festival, a procession of the state's guards lead the Goddess Chamundi seated on a golden howdah mounted on an elephant. The procession is followed by various tableaux, a visual treat rarely seen anywhere else in the world.
Climb up Chamundi Hills via the steps, starting early in the morning to get a good view of the city as it rises from slumber while getting good exercise at the same time.
For those with a penchant for authentic South Indian vegetarian food, especially light snacks such as dosa and idly with coffee and the like, could try eating at the Mylari hotels (located at Ittigegud and Kuvempunagar) or at Gayathri Tiffin Room (GTR, Chamundipuram).
Those spending a long time in this city can also take nice early morning or late evening strolls at either Kukkarahalli lake or Karanji lake, though the latter is recommended, since the entrance has a fee and thus will reduce any potential nuisance in the form of beggars or vendors that might come and disturb your stroll. Karanji lake also has a butterfly park worth checking out.

 

Interesting things to Visit:

The Maharaja's Palace is one of the important sights in Mysore. Built in Indo-Saracenic style with domes, turrets, arches and colonnades,the Palace is a treasure house of exquisite carvings and works of art from all over the world. Intricately carved doors open on to luxuriously furnished rooms. The majestic Durbar Hall has an ornate ceiling and many sculpted pillars. The magnificent jewel studded golden throne of the Wodeyars is displayed here during the Dasera festival. Illuminated on Sundays and public holidays ,the palace presents a spectacle of breathtaking beauty.
Brindavan Gardens
Located at the KR Sagar Dam [Kannambadi], Brindavan Gardens is one of the best gardens in South India. Spread over 150 acres, Brindavan Gardens has since the 1960s provided the backdrop for many Indian films. Special attractions include the 'Dancing Fountains'. In Dec 2004 the entire garden was revamped with new fountains and lights.

Timings :
Monday-Friday : 6:30 PM - 7:25 PM and
Saturday-Sunday : 6:30 PM - 8:25 PM
Chamundi Hills

A well known 335 metres high landmark,Chamundi Hill can be reached by a 13 km road or by climbing up the 1,000 steps laid out by the Mysore Maharaja in the 17th century.

Half-way up along the stone steps is Nandi, Lord Shiva's Bull, a majestic 4.8 metre monolith.At the top is the 12th century temple of Chamundeshwari, the patron goddess of the Wodeyars.Close to the temple is the gigantic statue of the demon Mahishasura. The summit offers a panoramic view of Mysore's lakes, parks and palaces.

St. Philomena's Church
A beautiful Cathedral, reminiscent of medieval architectural style,is one of the largest churches in the country. Built in the gothic style,the Church is an imposing structure with stained glass windows and lofty towers

Mysore Zoo

The Mysore Zoo was set up under royal patronage in the nineteenth century. Its fauna includes rare and exotic species which are housed in lush, green surroundings. The Zoo is famous for breeding some very rare animals in captivity.

Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, which has emerged as one of finest zoos in the country to breed a wide range of animals in captivity, has embarked on a new venture to set up a state-of-the-art Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre.
As of Jan 2006 the zoo has prepared a Rs 5.5-crore plan to establish the centre and forwarded the same to the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) for approval. The plan envisages procuring a, emergency mobile ambulance for the animals.

The zoo would become the first in the country to have an emergency mobile service to rescue animals fighting for life and cater to animals in and around Bandipur, Brahmagiri, Kanakapura, Madikeri and other wildlife sanctuaries.

The Art Gallery

The Jaganmohan Palace was converted into an art gallery in 1875 and exhibits paintings which date back to that period. The artists of that time used natural vegetable and mineral dyes. The famous traditional Mysore 'gold leaf ' paintings are also exhibited in the gallery, as are oil paintings of contemporary artist like Raja Ravi Varma and Svetoslav Roerich.
Around Mysore

Daria Daulat Bagh Tipu's Summer Palace,built in 1784,is located here.Made of teak,this Indo-Sarcenic structure has ornate and beautiful frescos.It is now a museum and tells eloquently of Tipu's valor and his losing battle against the British.

Fort

It is here that Tipu charged at the British soldiers with his legendary sword.An obelisk in the fort marks the place where he fell -betrayed by his own men.The fort holds within it,a mosque and the Ranganathaswamy Temple.Outside the fort is the Gumbaz,Tipu's tomb with splendid ebony doors inlaid with ivory.

 

Mobile range info:

 

How to reach?

Nearest Railway Station:Bangalore Station.
Nearest Airport:Bangalore International Airport is the nearest airport terminal from the dam.
Road Transport: K.S.R.T.C. buses also ply from Bangalore to K.R.S. and Mysore,many Government and private buses ply often from Mysore City to K.RS .From Bangalore 143kms, Mysore 24Kms

Nearest Visiting places:

  • Vrindavan Garden Fountain at KRS dam
  • Mysore Palace
  • Daria Daulat Bagh, Mysore
  • Tipu Sultan's death place, Srirangapatna
  • Thomas Inman's Dungeon, Srirangapatna
  • Jamia Masjid, Srirangapatna
  • Daria Daulat Bagh, Mysore
  • Colonel Bailey's Dungeon, Srirangapatna
  • Commemorative Obleisk, Srirangapatna
  • Historical Water Gate, Srirangapatna
  • St Philomena's church
  • Chamundi Hill
  • Chamundi Hills
  • Channapatna
  • Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta
  • Kabini
  • Kokarebellur
  • Melkote
  • Nagarhole National Park
  • Nanjangud
  • Nimishambha
  • Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary
  • Shivasamudram
  • Somnathpur
  • Talakad
  • Bandipur National Park

 

Nearest Petrol Pump:

At Mysore.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:

There is a guest house for tourists.

Hotels and Inspection Bungalow provide with boarding and lodging facilities.

Things to carry:

 

Tips & Suggestions:

 

Help Line/Phone Number:

Police Station:100
Nearest Hospital:Srirangapatna,Mysore
Society/Community Phone Number

Krishna Raja Sagara Dam Nearest Attraction

Sivasamudram Island
About 65kms, East of Mysore, you will find the tiny island town of Shivasamudram in Mandya district. Here the River Cauvery meanders to fall into cascading Shivasamudram Falls. This sparking waterfalls flows through the abundant sylvan forest of Karnataka in Deccan Plateau, plunges 320 feet into gorge into a spate, breaking into a cloud of misty foam. The falls are 893 metres wide.....more
Srirangpatnam Island
Situated on the Cauvery River, the island-fortress of Srirangapattana is famous as the former capital of the great kings, Hyder Ali, and his son, Tipu Sultan, the 'Tiger of Mysore'. The ruins of the magnificent fortress that stands here is the main tourism attraction.....more
Karighatta Temples
Karighatta is a hill situated a few kilometres outside the 'island' town of Srirangapatna. It is situated off the Bangalore-Mysore road just before Srirangapatna. The name translates to "Black Hill" in Kannada. The hill has a Hindu temple devoted to a form of Hindu god Vishnu, called "Karigirivasa".....more
Melukote Temples
Melkote located near Mysore in Karnataka houses an ancient shrine to Vishnu, worshipped as TiruNarayana. This shrine is known for its long standing association with the spiritual leader Ramanujacharya. Melkote is also known as Yadavagiri, yatistalam, Vedadri and Narayanadri. ....more
Srirangapatna Temples
Srirangapatna also spelt as Srirangapattana, is city of historic, religious, and cultural hub situated in Mandhya district of Karnataka, just about 13kms from Mysore. A must see place on Bangalore- Mysore Highway. Here you will come across the entire town as an island enclosed by River Kaveri.....more
Srirangapatna Archeology
The river Kaveri surrounds Srirangapatnam , which is 16 km north of Mysore.it was the capital of Muslim Mysore kingdom, which was at loggerhead with the English and the Mysore king.....more
Bhimeshwari Sanctuary
The sparkling blue waters of Cauvery wind through rocks and ravines and fall off the Deccan Plateau to form the twin falls of Barachukki and Gaganachukki.About 35 kms downstream is yet another set of falls called Mekedatu (Goat's Leap).....more
Melukote Wildlife Sanctuary
Melkote Temple Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Mandya District of Karnataka and is about 5 km from Melkote. Meant specifically for the protection of wolf, the sanctuary is divided into two blocks, namely, Mudibetta and Narayandurga. Deciduous scrub forest occupies the sanctuary.....more
Srirangapatna Historical
Srirangapatna also spelt as Srirangapattana, is city of historic, religious, and cultural hub situated in Mandhya district of Karnataka, just about 13kms from Mysore. A must see place on Bangalore- Mysore Highway. Here you will come across the entire town as an island enclosed by River Kaveri.....more
Hemagiri Falls
This place is located 8 Kms from KR pet enroute to Kikere town or Govindhalli. It is better to take the route back, in view of bad roads on the same stretch to reach Kikere town. The river is in full flow during monsoon and it is a treat to watch.....more
Shivasamudram Waterfalls
The Shivasamudram falls is a segmented waterfall since the river Cauvery branches into two separate falls - the western falls known as Gaganachukki and the eastern falls, Bharachukki. Shivasamudram falls is the second biggest waterfall in India and the sixteenth largest in the world.....more
Bheemeswari River
Listen to the sweet hum of the rippling river... Feel the chill of the water... and get to face her majestic beauty by riding down the river in a raft...The Cauvery is one of the most majestic and sacred rivers in the country. Flowing through the thick forests of Karnataka, this river is home to India's only protected fish species - The 'Mahaseer'.....more
Mahadevapura River
Mahadevapura is located in Mandya district of Karnataka in India. A great picnic spot which is quite far away from modern world. A famous spot for film makers shooting nature scapes -for this hamlet by the Cauvery, offers some of the prettiest frames for any cinematographer.....more
Mekedatu River
Mekedatu, in Kannada means Goat's leap, which is situated 98kms south of Bangalore. river Cauvery flows into a deep and narrow gorge, so narrow, that a goat could leap over it and that is how it got its name.....more
Adichunchanagiri Peacock Sanctuary
Located in Mandya District, Adichunchanagiri peacock sanctuary is covered with scrub forest and plantations. The altitude here varies from 770 - 1000 m. The sanctuary was established with the specific purpose of protecting the peacock.....more
Kokkare Belluru/Bellur Pelicanry
Kokkare Bellur (Village of Storks), a small village off the main highway between Bangalore and Mysore, is one of the few nesting sites in India of the spotbilled pelican. In addition, it is also home to hundreds of painted storks.....more
Adi Chunchanagiri Temples
....more