Krishna Raja Sagara Reservoir

Address: Krishnarajasagara, near Mysore, Karnataka 571607, India

Website: https://ksndb.nic.in/ (Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring may have related info)

Hours: Gardens usually open early morning to evening (approx. 6:00am-7:00pm); dam area accessible daytime hours

Admission: Free to view reservoir; Dam and gardens open daily. Boating and entry to certain areas may require local permits or fees.

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.

Krishna Raja Sagara is about 20-25 km northwest of Mysore city center (approx. 30-40 minutes by car). Regular buses and taxis run from Mysore; the nearest railway is Mysore Junction. The Brindavan Gardens are adjacent to the dam and have a separate entrance.

• Visit at sunrise for clear views of the ornamental Brindavan Gardens and to watch the morning light on the dam structure.
• Combine a trip with Mysore city (approx. 20 km away) for palaces and markets-KRS is often paired with a day trip to Mysore.
• Check water-release schedules if planning to see the dam gates or boat rides-operations are sometimes announced locally.