By S.T. Ravikumar
The annual footfall to the Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) Dam and the Brindavan Gardens has shown a steady increase over the years. The Dam’s peaceful atmosphere, breathtaking views and the beautiful Mughal Gardens are attracting tourists from far and wide who want to spend some quality time.
For the record, the KRS Dam is undergoing repair works at a cost of Rs. 38.70 crore where works are being carried out to strengthen the walls, plugging leaks and cementing cracks. Further, a proposal has been sent to the State Government to give the dam a complete makeover with an estimated cost of Rs. 1,300 crore. By further beautifying the garden, the State Government is hoping to double or triple the number of tourists.
As part of the beautification plan, a 312-ft statue of Goddess Cauvery will be constructed with a base of 120 ft. and other attractions include a boating pond, children’s park, penguin park, doll museum, laser and light show, street park on the lines of Hoysala architecture, food court, architecture depicting historical monuments, botanical garden and aroma park.
The entrance gate of Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) Dam. [Pic by M.N. Lakshminarayana Yadav]
Taking the statistics of the last five years, over 30 lakh tourists have visited on an average every year. In 2010-2011, 26,91,496 persons visited the dam. In 2011-2012, the number of visitors were 30,12,608, in 2012-2013, it was 23,79,855, in 2013-2014, 22,80,060 and in 2014-2015, 29,80,112 tourists thronged the dam, say the records available at Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Limited.
The entry fee for an adult at KRS has been fixed at Rs. 20 and children are charged at Rs. 5. The dam collects over Rs. 5 crore entry fee every year. This apart, more than 2.3 lakh vehicles carrying tourists come to the dam every year. According to statistics, in 2011-2012, 4,09,357 vehicles had come to KRS. In 2011-2012, 2,29,963, in 2012-2013, 2,28,896 had come to KRS, in 2013-2014, 2,29,839 and in 2014-2015, 2,29,798 vehicles have gained entry to the dam.
The dam authorities get an annual income of Rs. 1.20 crore by the sale of vehicle parking tickets. The combined annual income through entry tickets and parking tickets is about Rs. 6.20 crore.
The Brindavan Gardens that is scheduled to get redesigned to enhance its aesthetic appeal is 69.82 acres, built along the vision of Sir Mirza Ismail. While the South Brindavan Gardens is 22.70 acres, North Brindavan Gardens is 16.70 acres. There is a boating pond of 20.05 acres, a children’s park of 4.17 acres and a 6.20 acre Maharaja Mantap.
The garden sports a number of rare trees like Cyprus variety and Ficus panda and Ficus Starlite, Foliage plants such as Duranta Plumaria and Euphorbia, flowering plants such as a large variety of Neeriums and Alamandas, Marigold, Salvia, Zannias, Coxcombs, Celosia and Fire Bushes. Laid out on the principles of the famous Mughal Gardens, the Brindavan Gardens has Pergolas (creeper-covered walkways) and Gazebos (shelters).
Apart from rare varieties of plants and flowers, the fountains year are another major attraction, especially in the evenings when water flows amidst colourful lights and music. These include Radhakrishna and Shiva waterfalls, high-pressure fountain, Caveramma, umbrella fountain, crown, rainbow, inverted basket, arch, pyramid, mist and cross.
Due to security reasons, visitors are not allowed to walk on the wall of the dam these days. Tourists can use the down-stream bridge to reach the Brindavan Gardens via the newly-constructed arch.
The 12th century Sri Venugopalaswamy Temple which has now been relocated on the periphery of the Hosa Kannambadi village. [Pics courtesy: Internet]
BACKWATERS ALSO AN ATTRACTION
A large number of tourists throng the backwaters of KRS reservoir, especially during and after monsoon. The backwaters usually reach the edge of the road leading to the 12th century Sri Venugopalaswamy Temple, which has now been relocated on the periphery of the Hosa Kannambadi village.
Apart from watching the beauty of the sun setting over the expansive water body, visitors also pay a visit to the magnificent Sri Venugopalaswamy Temple. The 900-year-old Sri Venugopalaswamy Temple was originally situated in Kannambadi village, which was submerged under the backwaters of KRS reservoir.
The temple used to surface whenever the water level in the reservoir plunged, attracting a large number of devotees. A private firm decided to shift the temple from its original site to a new site on the periphery of the New Kannambadi village.
The temple complex is eye catching and once inside, a visitor feels as if he/she is in some bygone era. With the carvings and gopurams in Dravidian style, the temple is a treat for the eyes though the main deity has not yet been placed.
Have been visiting the Brindavan Gardens atleast once a year every year with guests who visit us. While the gardens lived upto its reputation over two decades ago, from then on its been on the decline. Far too many eatiers and tea shops (which look extremely shabby) have opened inside the gardens with no regulation. There is insufficient placement of garbage collectors resulting in garbage disposal all over the place. The gardens have had little maintainance or landscaping failing to enhance the beauty of the gardens.
For the amount of revenue being collected by the Government the renovation plans come into the domain of “too little, too late”
The fountains are no longer a delight, they fail to enthrall any well traveled visitor and the music fountain is too small and performs a few repetitive actions.
It seems our leaders and managers are failing to keep track of the similar water fountains around the world which are quite a delight to watch. The fountains at Las Vegas, Kuwait, or even in Dubai needs to be considered as worthy examples to be followed or improved upon and similar changes made evenin brindavan gardens. Else it will not be known for its beauty or fountains over the next few decades.