Jewels of Mysore

The company of pelicans, herons and silent lake

Stirs the inner thoughts makes your spirit awake

Today we are going to talk about jewels of Mysore which shines like diamond when daylight dances on it. Yes we are talking about Kukarahalli and Karanji Lake which is in true sense real jewels as when one goes there gets totally lost in the scenic beauty of its flora and fauna.

Fistly I will talk about Kukarhalli Lake which is bursting with visual appeal. When one enters the place, gets captivated by the calmness of lake and at the same time chirping of spot billed pelicans and black crowned night herons takes the viewer in another world.

There is a long walkway for joggers, dotted with stone benches to sit and relax under bougainvillea plants shade to relax. The place is full of calmness and energy as there is burst of flora and fauna. It has attracted many poets and writers towards it, like poet laureate Kuvempu. He got inspired by the serene lake and penned down many of his works. It stirs the inner thoughts and gives the mind food for thoughts.

The Kukkarahalli Lake gives an immense peace to the visitors and it is always enthralling experience to be in such a panoramic beauty.

 Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar was responsible for getting the lake created, in the year 1864, to provide water for irrigation to about 10,000 acres of land outside the city. Kukkarahalli Lake was created in the year 1864, to provide water for irrigation for areas outside the Mysore city. Dewan Poornaiah feeder canal, 27 km long, which passes through Hinkal, Bogadi, Kudremala and Manasagangotri outfalls into the Lake. Later on the lake was also used as a source of water supply to the city. Total area of Kukkarahalli lake is about 104 ha and the water spread area of the lake is 62 ha.  The lake is located at the heart of the city within the campus of Mysore University. The lake is partly bird sanctuary and partly aquatic habitat. Over the years, sewage and excessive land encroachments and blockage of water flow sources almost led to the eutrophication of the lake. The University of Mysore and the citizen forums of Mysore continue to make efforts to preserve the lake by implementing several remedial measures.

Now let’s move to Karanji Lake, the feel you get while walking on the largest aviary of India amidst the large bamboo trees will take your mind to some distant peaceful place. The beautiful natural setting of colorful and bright butterflies, sound of swaying stalks of towering bamboo trees, calmness of lake, and call of peacocks is signature of karanji lake. Explosion of visual appeal is there as large variety of fauna along with orchid garden attracts you and make you go away from reality.

When you are engrossed in such a natural beauty, Regional Museum of Natural history is there to create environmental awareness and to depict floral, faunal and geological wealth of the southern region of India.

The bewitching lake was formerly a part of the Mysore Zoo and is under the control of Mysore Zoo Authority. The Karanji Lake measures around 90 hectares, out of which 55 hectares is the water area, and 35 hectares is the foreshore area. It was initially constructed by the King of Mysore as a percolation tank to serve as source of drinking water for residents and was used for other chores like bathing, washing, etc. It became a property of Mysore Zoo Authority in 1976.

Karanji lake also known as Fountain Lake is ideal place for bird-watchers. There are around 147 species of birds which given mind peace amidst natural setting. This area presents amazing opportunities to get a glimpse of birds such as Sandpipers, Asian open bill storks, herons, egrets and grey pelican, etc are some of the common migratory birds that can be spotted here.

If you are mesmerized by butterflies then this place is right for you as it boasts of more than 45 captivating species of butterflies. One can see various host plants and nectar plants which have been planted here to facilitate breeding and sustenance of butterflies. These plants have also been brought from hill stations and other regions like Malnad. The butterfly park is inside an island in the lake. The path through the park eventually takes you to the bridge to the island which is a home to color bursting butterflies. It is a perfect place for relaxing and to get lost in the scenic beauty of nature as the area is adorned with lush greenery and abundance of fauna.

Large swaying stalks of bamboo trees and the call of elegant peacocks

Sparkling lake and sweet smell of orchid will give you a pleasant shock.