Krishna Raja Sagara Dam — universally known as KRS Dam — is one of South India’s most magnificent engineering landmarks, most celebrated tourist destinations, and most vital water infrastructure projects, stretching majestically across the legendary River Cauvery approximately 19 kilometres northwest of Mysuru (Mysore) city in Karnataka. Built at the confluence of three great rivers — the Cauvery, Hemavathi, and Lakshmana Teertha — KRS Dam is a massive gravity dam whose construction was begun in November 1911 and completed in 1931 under the rule of the Mysore Wodeyar dynasty. The dam takes its name from Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV — the visionary Maharaja of Mysore who financed the entire project — and was designed by one of India’s greatest engineers, Sir M. Visvesvaraya, using a mortar called ‘surkhi’ — a mixture of limestone and brick powder — in place of regular cement, a construction innovation that continues to inspire engineers to this day.
KRS Dam has walls stretching 2,621 metres in length and 39 metres in height, with 152 sluice gates, and its reservoir spread over 130 square kilometres — which was the largest reservoir in Asia when it was first built. Today, KRS Dam is an important source of drinking water for Mysore and Bengaluru city and one of the main sources of irrigation water for Mandya and Mysore districts. The dam also ensures power supply to the Shivanasamudra hydroelectric power station — fulfilling a triple mandate of drinking water, irrigation, and electricity generation that continues to sustain Karnataka’s growth.
What elevates KRS Dam from a mere engineering structure to one of Karnataka’s premier tourist destinations is the extraordinary beauty of the Brindavan Gardens — laid out just below the KRS Dam, often described as one of the best terrace gardens in the world, built by Sir Mirza Ismail, the then Diwan of Mysore, whose construction began in 1927 and was completed in 1932. Inspired by the breathtaking Shalimar Bagh of Kashmir in the ancient Mughal style, the Brindavan Gardens feature terraces, fountains, water channels, parterres, lawns, and flowerbeds that represent one of the finest examples of formal garden design in India. The gardens are divided into the South Brindavan (with the famous Cauvery Statue and massive water fountains), North Brindavan (home to the Musical Fountain Show), and the Children’s Garden — together spanning over 150 acres of sculpted beauty.
Krishna Raja Sagara Dam Location
- Address: Krishna Raja Sagara Dam (KRS Dam), KRS Dam Road, Krishnarajasagara, Srirangapatna Taluka, Mandya District, Karnataka — 571607
- Pin Code: 571607
- STD Code: 08236
- Administrative Zone: Srirangapatna Taluka — Mandya District / Mysuru Parliamentary Constituency
|
Reference Point |
Distance |
|
Brindavan Gardens (below the dam) |
Adjacent — at the dam site |
|
Krishnarajasagara Village |
At the dam |
|
Mysuru City Centre |
19 kilometres |
|
Mysuru Junction Railway Station |
20 kilometres |
|
Srirangapatna Town |
16 kilometres |
|
Srirangapatna Railway Station |
15 kilometres |
|
Mandya Town |
25 kilometres |
|
Chamundi Hills (Mysuru) |
25 kilometres |
|
Bengaluru (KSR City Station) |
140 kilometres |
|
Bengaluru Kempegowda Airport |
155 kilometres |
|
Gumbaz, Srirangapatna |
18 kilometres |
|
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary |
3 kilometres |
Krishna Raja Sagara Dam Timings
KRS Dam is open every day from 6:30 AM to 9:00 PM — giving visitors the flexibility of both tranquil morning visits and spectacular evening outings. The Brindavan Gardens share the same opening hours and last entry is typically 30 minutes before closing. The site operates 7 days a week throughout the year with no weekly holiday.
|
Attraction |
Opening Days |
Timings |
|
KRS Dam (main) |
All days |
6:30 AM to 9:00 PM |
|
Brindavan Gardens |
All days |
6:30 AM to 9:00 PM |
|
Musical Fountain Show (Weekdays) |
Monday to Friday |
6:30 PM to 7:30 PM |
|
Musical Fountain Show (Weekends) |
Saturday and Sunday |
6:30 PM to 8:30 PM |
|
Boating (before 6 PM) |
All days |
6:30 AM to 6:00 PM |
|
Boating (after 6 PM) |
All days |
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM |
Krishna Raja Sagara Dam Entry Fee
|
Category |
Entry Fee |
Notes |
|
Adults (Indian) |
₹ 50 per person |
Inclusive of Brindavan Gardens entry |
|
Children (5 to 10 years) |
₹ 5 per person |
Reduced rate for children |
|
Children (below 5 years) |
Free |
No ticket required |
|
Parking |
₹ 100 (inclusive of toll) |
Vehicle parking near the entrance |
|
Boat Ride (one-way before 6 PM) |
₹ 30 per person |
North to South Garden route |
|
Boat Ride (one-way after 6 PM) |
₹ 60 per person |
Evening premium fare |
|
Boat Ride (round trip) |
₹ 30 (before 6 PM) / ₹ 60 (after 6 PM) |
Connects North and South Brindavan |
|
Camera / Video |
Additional charge |
Check at the ticket counter on arrival |
How to Reach KRS Dam
From Mysuru City
Take KRS Dam Road (Mysuru–Krishnarajasagara Road) northwestward from Mysuru city → approximately 19 kilometres — 35 to 50 minutes by road. Frequent KSRTC and private buses operate between Mysuru Bus Stand and KRS Dam throughout the day.
From Bengaluru
Take Mysuru Road (NH-275) southwestward → Mysuru → connect via KRS Dam Road → approximately 140 kilometres — 2.5 to 3.5 hours. Weekend visitors should plan for traffic.
From Srirangapatna Railway Station
Take auto-rickshaw or bus southeastward → approximately 15 to 16 kilometres — 25 to 35 minutes.
From Mysuru Junction Railway Station
Take a KSRTC bus or cab northwestward via KRS Dam Road → approximately 20 kilometres — 40 to 50 minutes. KSRTC buses from Mysuru Bus Stand to KRS are frequent and affordable.
From Mandya
Take State Highway toward Mysuru → turn off toward Krishnarajasagara → approximately 25 kilometres — 35 to 45 minutes.
Road Connectivity of KRS Dam
|
Route |
Direction |
Notes |
|
KRS Dam Road (main access road) |
Northwest from Mysuru |
Primary road — Mysuru to KRS Dam — scenic drive through sugarcane fields |
|
NH-275 (Bengaluru–Mysuru) |
East toward Bengaluru |
National Highway access — Bengaluru travellers |
|
Srirangapatna–KRS Road |
North |
Srirangapatna heritage town access |
|
Mandya Road |
North |
Connects Mandya district |
|
Mysuru City Circuit |
Via KSRTC |
Regular city bus services from Mysuru Bus Stand |
Best Time to Visit Krishna Raja Sagara Dam
The best time to visit Krishna Raja Sagara Dam is between October and February, when the weather is cool and pleasant — the peak tourist season, ideal for sightseeing, photography, and the evening light shows. The monsoon season from June to August is particularly dramatic — as the water level rises due to rainfall, the dam gates automatically open once the water reaches 124 feet, releasing massive white streams of water in a spectacular natural display that is especially beautiful to witness during a night visit.
|
Season |
Months |
Experience |
|
Peak Season |
October to February |
Cool and pleasant — ideal for gardens, photography, and evening light show |
|
Monsoon Season |
June to August |
Water level rises — dam gates open automatically — spectacular water display — dramatic and unforgettable |
|
Shoulder Season |
March to May |
Warm days — fewer tourists — budget-friendly — gardens still beautiful |
|
Festival Season |
October (Dasara) |
Mysuru Dasara coincides — entire region buzzes with festivity |
Best time of day: Evenings — between 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM — when the Brindavan Gardens are illuminated with coloured lights and the Musical Fountain Show transforms the garden into a shimmering spectacle of light, water, and music.
Krishna Raja Sagara Dam Nearby Places to Visit
|
Place |
Distance |
Description |
|
Brindavan Gardens |
Adjacent |
Illuminated terrace garden — Musical Fountain Show — boating — South India’s most celebrated formal garden |
|
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary |
3 kilometres |
Premier bird sanctuary on the Cauvery — crocodiles, otters, migratory birds — best October to March |
|
Srirangapatna |
16 kilometres |
Historic island fortress town — Tipu Sultan’s capital — Gumbaz, Ranganathaswamy Temple, Tipu Fort |
|
Gumbaz (Tipu Sultan’s Tomb) |
18 kilometres |
Magnificent 18th-century mausoleum of Tipu Sultan and Hyder Ali — Persian-style architecture |
|
Mysuru Palace (Amba Vilas) |
22 kilometres |
Karnataka’s most iconic heritage monument — one of India’s most visited palaces |
|
Chamundi Hills |
25 kilometres |
Sacred hilltop temple of Goddess Chamundeshwari — sweeping views of Mysuru city |
|
Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangapatna |
16 kilometres |
Revered ancient Vaishnava temple on the Cauvery island |
|
Mysuru Zoo (Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Park) |
20 kilometres |
One of India’s best zoological parks |
|
Balmuri and Edumuri Waterfalls |
12 kilometres |
Natural waterfalls on the Cauvery — ideal for nature walks and picnics |
|
Nimishamba Temple |
10 kilometres |
Sacred riverside temple near the Cauvery — important pilgrimage site |
|
Mysuru Sand Sculpture Museum |
20 kilometres |
Unique sand sculpture art museum in Mysuru |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Where is Krishna Raja Sagara Dam located?
KRS Dam is located in Krishnarajasagara, Srirangapatna Taluka, Mandya District, Karnataka — PIN 571607 — approximately 19 kilometres northwest of Mysuru city on KRS Dam Road.
Q2. What are the timings of KRS Dam?
KRS Dam and Brindavan Gardens are open daily from 6:30 AM to 9:00 PM. The Musical Fountain Show runs from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM on weekdays and 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM on weekends.
Q3. What is the entry fee for KRS Dam?
The entry fee is ₹ 50 for adults and ₹ 5 for children (5 to 10 years) — inclusive of Brindavan Gardens. Parking costs ₹ 100 and boat rides are ₹ 30 before 6 PM and ₹ 60 after 6 PM.
Q4. What is the best time to visit KRS Dam?
October to February is the ideal period for pleasant weather and the best garden experience. June to August during monsoons offers the dramatic spectacle of dam gates opening — water gushing out in massive streams when the water reaches 124 feet.
Q5. What is the distance from Bengaluru to KRS Dam?
Approximately 140 kilometres — 2.5 to 3.5 hours via NH-275 (Bengaluru–Mysuru Road). Most visitors combine KRS Dam with Mysuru city sightseeing on a day trip or weekend getaway.
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