Krishna Raja Sagara

Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) is a large reservoir and dam on the Kaveri river in Karnataka, created by the Krishna Raja Sagara dam near Mysore and Mandya. The reservoir and the adjacent Brindavan Gardens are among the region’s major irrigation and tourist features.

Visitors commonly see the dam structure itself and the formal Brindavan Gardens, which were laid out alongside the reservoir and are noted for symmetrical terraces, fountains and planting. The reservoir supplies irrigation water and supports a hydropower installation as part of the regional water-management system.

The dam and reservoir were developed in the early 20th century under the patronage of the Mysore royal family, with Sir M. Visvesvaraya as the chief engineer, and were completed in the early 1930s. The complex has since served irrigation, power generation and public recreation purposes.

The site sits on the Kaveri river in Mandya district, roughly north of Mysore city in southern Karnataka; it is commonly visited as a day trip from Mysore and nearby towns.

• Construction: Construction was completed in the early 1930s under the patronage of Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV with engineering oversight from Sir M. Visvesvaraya.

What to See #

• KRS Dam: The concrete gravity dam structure across the Kaveri river that creates the reservoir and includes sluices and hydropower installations built during the early 20th century.
• Brindavan Gardens: Terraced ornamental gardens adjoining the dam, laid out in the 1930s and noted for fountains and evening illumination that form the site's principal visitor attraction.