The Brindavan Gardens is one of the most famous landmarks of Karnataka state. Located in Srirangapatna Taluka near the Krishnarajasagara dam across Cauvery River, Brindavan Gardens is a major attraction of the town. It took 5 years to build the Gardens from 1927 to 1932. It is estimated that around 2 million tourists visit the garden every year.

Spread over an area of 60 acres, the Brindavan Gardens have two horticulture farms, named Nagavana and Chandravana, and a fruit orchard spread in 75 acres adjoining it. The Garden is maintained by the water from Cauvery Niravari Nigama. One of the major attractions of the Garden is the vast greenery comprising ficus tress, foliage plants such as Duranta Plumaria and Euphorbia, flowering plants such as Bougainvillea and Marigold among others and water fountains. Other attractions are the topiary works, which are sculptures of animals created by clipping and shaping shrubs artistically and pergolas which are pass ways created by creepers.

The Gardens come alive at night when musical fountains come to the fore with the accompaniment of hit songs. There is also a boating facility in the small lake located amidst the garden. The Garden is open to public on all days and an entry fee is charged.

The Garden was renovated in 2005 and approximated 50 million rupees were spent on the massive works which included the sprucing up of musical fountain with a digitized system and the repair work of other fountains which were dysfunctional. The Garden was closed in 2007 for some time following the Cauvery water dispute.

History

The Brindavan Gardens is one of the most beautifully laid out terrace gardens in the world and is  renowned for its natural beauty and symmetric design, attracting people from all over the world, not just India. The credit of creating the garden goes to Sir Mirza Ismail, a Dewan in the Mysore princely state. He suggested that something be done to create a beautiful surrounding around the Krishnarajasagara dam. It was then proposed to build a garden around it, in the lines of Shalimar Gardens of Kashmir. The design is inspired from Shalimar Gardens and has a number of terraces, running and cascading water channels, water chutes, flower beds, green lawns, shrubs, trees and more.

The Garden is around 143 km from Bangalore and just 24 km from Mysore city. The dam where the Garden is located was named after Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV during who reign the construction of the garden was done. The garden was built under the supervision of Chief Engineer Sir M. Vishveswaraya. The river Cauvery, one of the main rivers in South India, across which the Garden is built, divides the Garden into two parts.

Attractions

The main attraction of the garden is the lush greenery. There are terraces, musical fountains, running water channels, flower beds, shrubs, flowering trees, water chutes, lawns and more. These make the Garden such an attractive place that just mere walking around it makes one feel refreshed and energetic.

One of the main popular attractions is the mini lake with boating facility amidst the Garden. One can take a ride around admiring the serene nature and the grand statue of Goddess Cauvery. If during day time, one can admire the lush green environment and beautiful flowers and animal sculptures around, then it is the evening when one can groove to the rise and fall of musical fountains to the accompaniment of popular music.

The musical fountains are no doubt, the major attraction here. A water, light and music show is created with the synchronized movement of water. A laser show is also now on to entertain visitors. People can enjoy the show from a gallery specially erected for the purpose.

It is not just plants, and flowers that complete the Brindavan Gardens but fruit orchards, two horticulture farms, many varieties of ornamental plants and flowers, illuminated flower beds and so on. The terraces where ornamental and flowering plants are located are another attraction.

Information to Visitors

The Senior Assistant Director of Horticulture, K.R.S, maintains the garden.

Garden Timings

6.30 A.M. to 9.00 P.M.

Facilities

Hotels and Inspection Bungalow provide with boarding and lodging facilities.

The Royal Orchid hotel in the gardens is a perfect place to relax and recharge you.

Transport

Many Government and private buses ply often from Mysore city to KRS. K.S.R.T.C. buses also ply from Bangalore to K.R.S. and Mysore.

Entry Fee

Rs 50/- fee is charged for using a camera.

Illumination Timings

• January-September: Mon-Fri 7.00 to 7.55 p.m. 6.30 to 7.30 p.m.
• October-December: Sat-Sun 7.00 to 8.55 p.m. 6.30 to 8.30 p.m.
• Videography is prohibited.

Best Time to Visit

Any time of the day is best to visit the Garden. If you are a nature lover and love to spend some leisure moments energizing yourself, then day time is best but if you are a fan of musical foundations, then visit the Garden after sunset, when the whole atmosphere is charged up with the rising of colorful water fountains which seem to be dancing to the music.

How to Reach

Buses are available from the main city to the gateway of the Garden. From there, you will have to walk at least 1.5 km to reach the main Garden. You can also take auto rickshaws and private taxis to reach the Garden.