When you think about the greatest tourist places with waterbodies, terms like beaches, lagoons, lakes or even waterfalls come to mind. But what about dams? These might not be the most natural marvels one looks for, but they are the feat of engineering that promises to be on your list of the best travel spots. One such marvel is the Krishnarajasagar Dam. Beyond its useful purpose, the dam serves as a brilliant force that tackles the power of nature and amazes tourists on every visit. Let us know more about this dam and why you should visit this in our travel guide.
Overview Of Krishnarajasagar Dam
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KrishnaRajaSagara Dam, or KRS Dam, is a massive gravity dam that is situated close to the confluence of the Cauvery, Hemavathi and Lakshaman Tirtha rivers in Mandya, Karnataka. Originally constructed to supply water to Mandya and Mysore, the dam bears the name Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV of Mysore. However, it finally turned into a source of water for Bangalore, a city that was expanding quickly. It is currently one of the most picturesque locations in the area and a popular tourist destination.
Surrounded by dazzling rivers, gardens and fountains, the location has served as the backdrop for multiple films due to its breathtaking appearance.
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Key Facts About Krishnarajasagar Dam
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The dam is an important destination for tourism in Mysore. You can see it obstructing the flow of heavy water rifts during monsoon season. The dam provides the primary supply of drinking water for Bengaluru, Mysore and Mandya. The water is also used for irrigation in these regions.
Moreover, the dam fuels the hydroelectric power plant at Shivanasamudra with electricity supply. The Mettur dam in the Salem district is the brother dam of KRS Dam. It stores the water that is released from this dam and flows into the urban areas of Tamil Nadu.
The dam bears the name of Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV, the Maharaja of Mysore, who oversaw its construction. The KRS Dam took three decades to build, starting in 1911 and ending in 1931. Talking about size, the dam is around 40 metres high and 2621 metres long. Some of the arches even have automated doors. During its construction, the Krishnarajasagar Dam 130 square kilometres of reservoir was the largest in all of Asia. The dam is in proximity to an attractive park called Brindavan Gardens. The Kaveri river on which the dam is built is referred to as South India’s Ganga. The river travels 765 kilometres southeast through the states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka before dropping into the Eastern Ghats and a series of magnificent falls.
Places To See Near Krishnarajasagar Dam
Here are some of the places to see near Krishnarajasagar Dam
1. Brindavan Gardens
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The botanical park and boat excursions beneath the dam are important draws here. These are the features of the exhibition garden known as Brindavan Gardens. Maharaja Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar constructed the Brindavan Gardens with great joy. German botanist Gustav Hermann Krumbiegel designed the garden and today, it is a great tourist place to visit.
The gardens were designed and constructed in tandem with the dam’s construction by Sir Mirza Ismail of Mysore. Another good option for touring is the Ranganathittu Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary shows the region’s topography as a mix of rural and agricultural terrain, sporadic tree distribution and remnants of native vegetation. The sanctuary is home to a diverse array of migratory and local birds. Large populations of about 220 species of birds have been reported here.
Entry Fee: INR 15, per person
Timings: 9 am to 11 pm
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2. GRS Snowpark
If you are trying to include the elements of fun and amusement in your trip to the Krishnarajasagar Dam, a 30-minute drive will take you to the fulfilling GRS Snowpark. GRS is three universes combined into one place. Spend a joyful and amusing day with your loved ones and friends. Here, you can enjoy real snow inside a -6°C winter wonderland. For the first time in India, there are over fifty wet and dry rides in a family-friendly water park. Also, you can enjoy the GRS Updown Museum, an upside-down photography destination. Snow activities at GRS Snow Park include sledging, bridge crossings, snow slides, and frozen cafes.
Entry into the snow park requires the use of socks. We charge reasonable prices for our winter snow socks. Stringent hygiene and safety procedures are in place here. GRS offers lockers, change rooms, GRS Cashless bracelets, and much more. There are also a number of food stalls and eateries.
Entry Fee: Adults (Above 4.5ft): ₹449, Child (3ft to 4.5ft): ₹349, Infants (Below 3 ft): Free, Senior Citizens: ₹349
Timings: 11:00 AM to 07:00 PM
3. Cauvery Sai Dhama
Image Credit: Shaan Sengupta for Wikimedia Commons
Cauvery Sai Dhama is one of the locations where you can directly encounter the holy spirit, on the banks of the Cauvery River. The 300-year-old shrine of Vanadevata is located on one side of the Sai Mandir, and the 150-year-old Omkareswara Temple of Lord Shiva is located on the other. Here, the original Dhuni embers from Shirdi were brought and dedicated. Since then, the Dhuni (holy fire) has been blazing constantly for more than ten years.
This peaceful location, close to Mysuru in the Mandya district, is a religious and spiritual retreat for many visitors to the Krishnarajasagar dam. Here, you can meditate and possibly even have a personal encounter with the divine! Recreational activities like Yoga and spiritual meditation are also offered amidst a peaceful environment. In this spiritual sanctuary, you will get closer to your inner peace and the almighty.
Entry Fee: Free with paid inclusions like Yoga classes
Timings: 5 am to 10 pm
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4. Bram Woodcrafting Studio
Image Credit: Tony Hisgett for Wikimedia Commons
For those who fancy art and sculpting, there is a brilliant interest option near the Krishna raja Sagar dam. The Woodcrafting Studio is home to local and international artists who work hard to create amazing wood crafts all year round. The company create and produces furniture made of solid wood of excellent quality. Located in Mysore, the studio values the equitable development of all of its members and collaborates to produce excellent wooden artwork while offering a memorable experience. Being an artisanal workshop, Bram’s top goal has always been to produce pieces that are as well-made as possible, adhering closely to carpentry fundamentals and incorporating innovative engineering and workmanship to keep our art current. For visitors and travellers, there are options for hourly classes or they can just admire the wood sculpting being done and the artists’ work here.
Entry Fee: Free with paid classes
Timings: 9 am to 6 pm, Monday to Friday
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The Krishnarajasagar Dam is not just for travellers but also history buffs and avid nature lovers. The iconic structure depicts how human architecture combines with the fierce power of nature. From enjoying the nearby locations to zoning out and watching the visuals of the reservoir, you can do so much at this dam. So book your trip to Karnataka today and include this in your itinerary.
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Cover Image Credit: Santdevil for wikimedia commons
Frequently Asked Questions About Krishnarajasagar Dam
Can we walk on the Krishnarajasagar Dam?
No, you cannot. The top of the dam is strictly prohibited from access by tourists. It's quite dangerous getting close to the top of the dam.
What is so special about Krishnarajasagar Dam?
The Krishnarajasagar Dam is a special type of gravity dam which are not common these days. The dam was the first of its kind to install automatic shutting doors back in its time. Also, the dam has a huge history of helping the people of Mysore overcome drought seasons. Today, the dam is a top tourist destination on the Kaveri River. It supplies the majority of the water needed by the Mysore districts. The water from this dam is the primary source of drinking water for the entire regions of Mysore, Mandya and nearly all of Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka. It also serves water for irrigation in nearby areas.
What are the timings of Krishnarajasagar Dam?
The dam can be accessed from 6:30 in the morning to 9 pm in the evening.
What is the best time to visit the Krishnarajasagar Dam?
The ideal time to visit KRS is during the monsoon season. From June to August, the KRS Dam's water level rises. It's worth taking in the sight of enormous white torrents of water pouring forth at this time of year.
Which is the most famous dam in Mysore?
Located on the Kaveri River, Krishnarajasagar Dam is the most famous among tourists and locals. KrishnaRajaSagara Dam, or KRS Dam, is a massive gravity dam that is situated close to the confluence of the Cauvery, Hemavathi and Lakshaman Tirtha rivers in Mandya, Karnataka. Originally constructed to supply water to Mandya and Mysore, the dam bears the name Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV of Mysore.
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As a Travel Content Writer, I live to conquer the world of globetrotting with words. With my unquenchable thirst for storytelling, I believe that my words will inspire you to travel around the world’s breathtaking landscapes. As for me, I am an unapologetic selenophile, who loves to wander around in a starry night!
