Sankey Tank is one of the ideal places to spend a relaxed day in Bangalore. The tank is situated in a convenient location in the western part of the city. It is in the middle of the suburbs of Malleshwaram, Vyalikaval and Sadashiva Nagar. The lake is spread across an area of 37.1 acres. At its widest the tank has a width of 800 m or 2624.7 ft. The large water body is a source of attraction for the locals as well as the tourists coming to Bangalore.
The lake is under the care of the State Forest Department.
History of the Sankey Tank
This manmade tank was constructed in the year 1882 under the supervision of Colonel Richard Hieram Sankey of the Madras Sappers Regiment. The tank was built to meet the water supply demands of the Bangalore city at that time. It was linked to the Miller’s tank and Dharmambudhi tank. The tank was also known as Gandhadhakotikere at that time as the Government Sandalwood Depot was located near the lake.
Initially the water of the tank was very putrid. But after a lot of sincere efforts the tank today has pure water.
The beauty of the Sankey Tank
Sankey Tank is one of the major lakes of Bangalore. This artificial lake is surrounded by a picturesque garden. The most exciting thing about this lake is that during the winter season the lake is converted into the nesting grounds of a plethora of migratory birds. The placid water of the lake and various birds flocking nearby is a sight to behold.
On any day the lake is the perfect place to enjoy a walk as a cool breeze always blows over the place. Visitors can enjoy the greenery of the lake in the company of chirping birds. The colourful benches surrounding the water body add to the natural beauty of the Sankey tank.
The tank has been recently renovated by the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation. The surroundings are clean and well maintained. The tank is a rich reserve of various species of fishes and aquatic plants.
Main attractions of the Sankey Tank
The Sankey Tank offers several attractions for the visitors. The tank includes a landscaped park and a swimming pool towards the southern direction while the northern side has a Forest Department nursery.
The covered walkways of the tank are ideal for jogging. The park is a calm place to sit and behold the beauty of the surroundings.
The Mayura Sankey Boat Club
Visitors can enjoy boat rides in the water of the tank. The Karnataka State Tourist Development Corporation maintains “The Mayura Sankey Boat Club” at the Sankey Tank. The boat club has a large number of boats of various kinds such as pedal boats, row boats, motor boats, etc. Visitors can rent boats during specified hours to enjoy a trip of the tank. The boats can be hired for riding on the water or visiting the island situated in the middle of the tank. The island on the tank offers an amazing view of the surroundings covered in water. It is a great place to relax in a serene atmosphere.
The tank is often frequented by local visitors as a picnic spot for weekend trips. There is an exclusive tank built specially for the purpose of idol immersion during the Ganesh Chaturthi festivals.
Best time to visit the Sankey Tank
The best time to visit this lovely attraction of Bangalore is during the months of summer. As Bangalore has a pleasant weather throughout the year, the tank can be visited at any time of the year. However, as the tank is an ideal place for sightseeing and outdoor activities like boating, it is best to avoid the rainy season while visiting the tank.
Timings for visiting the Sankey Tank
- The tank is open for public visit on all days of the week except Friday.
- Timings of the tank: 6.00 AM to 8.00 PM
- Weekly Holiday: Friday
- Timings to hire boats: 6 am to 10 am and 12 noon to 5 pm
How to reach the Sankey Tank
Bangalore is a city that can be easily accessed from all parts of the country through all major means of transport, including the railway network, the airways and the bus services from the nearby destinations.
The lake can be effortlessly reached from any part of the city.
There are taxis, cabs and autos that can be hired for a ride to the tank. Several BMTC buses also ply on that route via Bhashyam Circle.
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