Brindavan Gardens, Mysore – Beautiful Escape from the City’s Scene
Built across the famous Cauvery River, the Brindavan Gardens in Mysore is a beautiful lush green spread around 19 km (12 mi) from the main city of Mysore. The garden is visited by millions of tourists every year since it was constructed and opened for public in 1932 by the Diwan of Mysore, Sir Mirza Ismail.Brindavan Gardens – A Quick Glance
Established in: 1927-1932
Built by: Sir Mirza Ismail
Famous for: Recreation, Entertainment, Nature-lovers
Size: 60 acres
Timings: 6:00 am to 8:00 pm
Music Fountain Show Timings: 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm (Monday-Friday) and 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm (Saturday-Sunday)
Visit duration: 3-4 hours
Entry fee: INR 50 and INR 10 (for children below 10 years)
Boating fee: Round trip (From North Garden to South Garden): INR 30 (before 6 pm) and INR 60 (after 6 pm)
Best time to visit: October to February (preferably during evenings)
Brindavan Gardens – An Overview
The famous Brindavan Gardens, Mysore is one of the best terrace gardens in the world and a must-visit spot while exploring Mysore. The spectacular garden is located about 19 km (12 mi) away from Mysore by the side of River Cauvery right below the Kanambadi Dam.The construction of the garden was planned and initiated by Sir Mirza Ismail, the Diwan of Mysore in the year 1932. Today, the garden is visited by millions of tourists every year from all over the globe.
The beauty of the lush green spread of the garden is something that makes the Brindavan Gardens, Mysore stand out. The place is neat and well-maintained with its grassy green slopes and splurging fountains to add to its scenic beauty. The garden is the best explication of an exotic terrace garden originally constructed under the reign of Krishnaraja Wodeyar, the then king of Mysore.
Brindavan Gardens, Mysore is a place for everyone who is looking for some fresh air amidst nature’s lap. It is pure bliss to spend an evening here with illuminated fountains, botanical park, extensive species of flora, and of course the memorable boating experience.
Architecture and Construction of Brindavan Gardens
Originally built during the reign of Krishnaraja Wodeyar, the then king of Mysore, the credit for its planning and construction goes to the then diwan of Mysore state, Sir Mirza Ismail. He was the brain behind the ideation, conceptualization, and modelling of the garden spread across more than 60 acres and laid out in three terraces ending in a horseshoe shape. The design of the garden is inspired by Hyder Ali who built Lalbagh Botanical Gardens at Bangalore in an earlier time, which was much popular.A government of Karnataka enterprise, Cauvery Niravari Nigama (Cauvery Irrigation Corporation) is now doing the maintenance of the garden, which spreads much beyond its own 60 acres and spreads to its adjoining fruit orchard covering the area of 300,000 m2 (75 acres) and 2 horticultural farms, Nagavana (30 acres) and Chandravana (5 acres).
History of Brindavan Gardens
The history of Brindavan Gardens, Mysore dates back to 1927 when the construction had begun. The structure was built in the complex of Krishnaraja Sagar Dam (KRS Dam) in the Srirangapatna taluk of Mandya district.The gardens were ideated and planned by Sir Mirza Ismail, the then Diwan of Mysore who wanted to enhance the natural beauty of the region near KRS Dam. It took him 5 years to complete the dam with the help of the Department of Horticulture and the dam was completed by the end of 1932 and was opened for public visit.
The design and planning of the Brindavan Gardens have been inspired by the spectacular Shalimar Bagh of Kashmir, as well as from Lalbagh Botanical Gardens at Bangalore. The typical design of the garden follows the signature ancient Mughal style.
The garden is currently maintained by the Cauvery Irrigation Department, Government of Karnataka.
Main Attractions at Brindavan Gardens
The Brindavan Garden, Mysore comes alive especially during the evenings. The pavements are lit up with vibrantly colourful lights, including some typical yellow lamps glowing under the trees offering a different look to the garden all over.The major attraction is the Light Show and Musical Fountain which is a beautiful array of musical fountains. Coupled with laser lights, these fountains are customized to synchronize with music and come alive when the garden is all lit up during the evening. The water flow is controlled by digital methods, and an aquatic organ runs to operate the entire show.
The nearby dam comes handily in generating water pressure to fuel these fountains putting up a visual treat with a vibrant display of water dancing at the tunes of several popular songs and compositions. The songs played here vary from soulful instrumental to patriotic songs to famous international tunes. Visitors are also allowed to visit a rain shelter and a gallery within the garden premises.
You can also buy different bright coloured bangles that glow in the dark to perk up the ambience. The crowd swarms up during the evenings to watch the most-awaited fountain show. The majority of the visitors come here to enjoy the shows, there are many who are interested in evening strolls and even in stargazing to relive the nostalgia.
Horticulture Farms at Brindavan Gardens
There are two beautiful horticulture farms in the Brindavan Garden – the Naguvana Horticulture Farm and the Chandravana Horticulture Farm.Located near the main entrance is the Naguvana Horticulture Farm which is spread over a wide area of 30 acres of land housing different types of plants. There is the Horticulture Training Centre of the Department of Horticulture to train the local youth.
The Chandravana Horticulture Farm is relatively smaller than the Naguvana Horticulture Farm and is situated right in the heart of the River Cauvery covering a total area of 5 acres. The farm mainly grows mango trees and coconut trees predominantly.
How to Reach Brindavan Gardens
Located at Mandya town near the KRS Dam Road, Brindavan Gardens, Mysore is about 19 km (12 mi) from the main city of Mysore. Regular bus services operated by state government ply at consistent intervals from the city’s bus stand to the garden. It takes around 15 minutes from the bus station to reach the garden.There are auto rickshaws and taxi services too which can be availed to reach the Brindavan Gardens.
The nearest railway station is Mysore with great connectivity with all parts of Karnataka as well as from different cities within the country. High frequency train services run from Bangalore to Mysore.
The nearest airport is at Mangalore which is 109 km (68 mi) away from Mysore city. Bangalore international airport is 173 km (107 mi) away.
See More in Mysore:
Chamundeshwari Temple – At the Top of the Chamundi Hills