The dream project of the Mysore teenage king, Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV comes to reality after his mother Kempananjammani (Vanivilas Sanidhana) pledges 400 kgs. of gold, silver and diamonds. His project was to construct a dam across the Cauvery for human benefit. Construction cost of this project was Rs 81 lakhs and was revised to Rs 103.43 lakhs. Appointing Sir M Visvesvaraya as the chief engineer was the next wisest thing he did.
The then ruling British government refused to fund this mammoth project. Sir M Visvesvaraya conceived the project to supply Cauvery water to agricultural lands of Mandya and Mysore Districts & for ensuring power supply from Shivasamaduram – hydro electric power station. He formulated the plans after visiting the Aswan Dam in Egypt and designed KRS dam.
The KRS Dam was named after the king of Mysore. The site chosen washed away a small village Kannambadi, which confluenced three rivers – Cauvery, Hemavathi & Lakshman Theertha. Hence the locals call it Kannambadi Katte.
Sage Kanava worshipper of Lord Shiva, his ashram and his village Kanavapuri lie submerged in the KRS dam waters. The planning started in the year 1911 and was completed by 1931. The length of the dam is 2621 mtrs. (8600 ft.) and the height is 39 mtrs. (130 ft.). It was India’s & Asia’s biggest and world’s second largest dam after Aswan Dam of Egypt. The entire dam is built by Mortar (surki) – a locally made mixture of lime & brick powder.
England’s expensive and then scarce commodity cement was not used at all. Automatic Sluice gates were first used here. The automatic flood gates to prevent floods are used here and patented by Sir M Visvesvaraya. Tamilnadu those days objected to the dam. An treaty agreement was signed in accordance for mutual benefit during the times of Viceroy Hardinge and British Resident Sir Hugh Daly. The reservoir is spread over an area of 130 sq.kms. It irrigates 1,20,000 acres of land. It is ironic that Tipu Sultan had plans to build a dam here during his time.
The Brindavan Gardens are located just a level below the dam. Earlier it was called Krishnarajendra Terrace Gardens. Inspiration for this garden comes from the Mugal garden of Kashmir – the Shalimar Gardens. This achievement goes to the then Dewan of Mysore, Sir Mirza Ismail. G H Krumbiegel, Supt. of Parks & Gardens of Mysore, the man behind Bangalore’s Lalbaugh completed this 60 acre garden in a period of 5 years ( 1927-32).
Fruit orchards spread another 75 acres along with two horticulture farms and nurseries which were added to this venture. Brindavan Gardens today consists of fountains, cascading water bodies, channels, water chutes along with flower beds, shrubs, trees, lush green lawns etc.
Today it is a public park, light up every evening at 7pm for half an hour or more… extending for more time during weekends, holidays etc. Dussera during October is festive here. Dancing fountains towards the far north end is beautiful. Boati ng pond is huge and takes one to the wall of the dam.
Goddess Cauvery graces her presence in this water body. Cauvery circle too is a nice photography spot. Public is not allowed on the dam nowadays for security reasons. Entrance to Brindavan Gardens is ticketed. Rs.15/- per adult & Rs.5/- for children. It’s open for public from 6:30 am to 9 pm. Tourist normally throng this place towards evening to enjoy the lighting. I preferred the serene morning, my photographs are proof. One could stay inside the Brindavan Garden premises, one is Mayura – Karnataka tourism hotel or in luxury – The Royal Orchid Hotel in luxury. Best time to visit is during rainy season – the dam is full. Summer sees this dam dry.
About 4 kms behind the dam on a motarable road one can visit the submerged restored Venu Gopal Swamy temple at Hosa Kanambadi village. This project is undertaken by the corporate house – Khodays. It is beautiful. The old submerged Kanveshwara temple here takes another avataar. A lot of lagoons here form picnic spots.
KRS & Brindavan Gardens is 14 kms from Mysore City and 143 kms from Bangalore. One need not go to Mysore if you are traveling from Bangalore, take a turn off after Srirangapatna. The roads are well marked or ask a local man, they all are friendly and eager to help – simpletons! Combining other places around Mysore would be a great idea. Or a stay at any one of the Brindavan hotel’s is rejuvenating. A day trip is also possible if one leaves early. Weekend traffic on Bangalore – Mysore highway is a nightmare nowadays.
Jagdeesh Laxman Singh
aka Jugie Singh
Text & Photography
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