The heritage corridor of Mysore and the old city of Srirangapatna is full of many attractions that give visitors a glimpse of Karnataka’s rich legacy of art and culture. Take a break from the prosaic routine of the city life with a trip to the royal cities of Karnataka. Spread across 60 acres, the beautifully landscaped Brindavan Gardens were completed in 1932 and are one of the places to visit in Mysore.
The three-terraced gardens feature many attractions. Water fountains adorn the finely manicured grounds of this sprawling area and some of the main flora found across the Gardens includes beautiful Ficus trees and flowering plants like celosia, marigolds and bougainvilleas. The larger area around the Brindavan Gardens is a haven for plant lovers and professional horticulturists. One can find the latest growing techniques being demonstrated and different breeds of a wide variety of fruits, flowers and other plants in these large plantations.
Brindavan Gardens- Quick Facts
- Timings: 6.30 AM to 8.00 PM
- Entry Fee: INR 15/- per adults and INR 5/- per children between 5 and 10
- Music Foundation Show: 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm
- Visit Duration: 2 to 3 hours
- Address: KRS Dam Road, Krishna Raja Sagar Dam, Mandya – 570005 (MAP)
- Phone: +91 80 2657 9231
Plant Sculptures and More
One of the striking features of the Gardens is the works of topiary. The intricately trimmed shrubs take the shape of animals and provide many photo ops for excited visitors, about 2 million of whom visit the gardens every year. Visitors can take walks under the shade of the pergolas, passageways covered by creeper plants and rest under one of the many gazebos that speckle the area.
Musical Fountains and More
One of the biggest attractions of the Brindavan Garden is the musical fountain, a choreographed play of water bursts synchronised with tunes of songs. Many come to view these fountains at night, where they are displayed in their full glory.
There many popular fountains in the Brindavan Gardens. Some of them are the Cross-channel fountains, the umbrella fountain, the pyramid fountain and the inverted basket fountain.
Four Main Areas
The gardens are divided into four main areas – the Main Gate, North Brindavan, South Brindavan and the Children’s Garden. Based on the same style as the India Gate the main gate area opens up to rose gardens on either side.
The South Brindavan is the area near the famous Cauvery Statue and attractions here include the large water fountains on the Kaveramma Circle. Cypress plants and other flowering plants grow on the sloping terraces and the lit fountains are a main attraction in the evenings. The South Brindavan also features a glass house with ornamental plants. Guests can also purchase some of these plants here.
The Kaveri River splits the North and South Brindavan areas. The main features of the North Brindavan are the four separate terraces where you can witness picturesque flower beds and rows of ornamental trees. There are small fountains with coloured lighting that add to the decor of this section. The North Brindavan also comprises of a nursery.
A visit with kids would warrant a trip to the children’s park which features slides and other structures for the young ones to indulge in.
Nearby Attractions
The Brindavan Gardens are part of a larger area of plantations and gardens. A large fruit orchard next to the Brindavan Gardens spreads over 75 acres. It is a great place to learn about horticulture and fruit growing and employs the most modern models of farming. There are more farms in the vicinity and there is also cacti garden which can be visited.
History and Layout of the Gardens
The Brindavan Gardens are the result of the efforts of Sir Mirza Ismail, who was the Dewan of the erstwhile Mysore princely state. The gardens are part of the Krishnaraja Sagar Dam complex. The design was inspired by the famous Mughal gardens of yore. The Brindavan Gardens are split by the Kaveri River, and guests can enjoy boat rides on the water.
How to Reach Brindavan Gardens
The Brindavan Gardens and surrounding complexes are a must visit when exploring Karnataka. Located 24 kms from Mysore and 143 kms from Bangalore, they are a big tourist attraction with many transport options.
By Road
The Brindavan Gardens are just a short drive of around 24 kms from Mysore City. There are many public transport options like buses or you can hire a cab or rented car.
By Rail
Mysore railway station is the closest railhead to Brindavan Gardens and it takes a half an hour drive to complete the 18 km distance.
By Air
For those flying into Mysore airport, the Brindavan Gardens are 33 kms away, a short fifty-minute trip on the ring road.
The Brindavan Gardens have welcomed millions of visitors ever since they opened during the days of the royals. A great way to take a break from the constant buzz and stress of daily life, the gardens offer a peaceful respite with open landscapes and a full palette of nature’s most glorious colours. Spend a day exploring the many delights of this green paradise and soothe yourself with the calm waters of the Kaveri River in the background.