If you are an avid bird watcher, Karanji Lake Nature Park is where you should visit while you are in Mysore. It is considered a bird paradise that attracts many ornithologists and other nature enthusiasts. You get to meet a lot of sundry bird species like the great and little cormorants, purple and grey herons, egrets, black bises, rose-ringed parakeets, green bee-eaters, painted storks and a variety of butterflies.
Karanji lake, Mysore. Photographer Nagesh Kamath
The story behind Karanji Lake Nature Park , Mysore
While it looks like a serene and calm lake now, there is an interesting story attached to the lake park. It was previously Doddakere, a garbage dump which got transformed into an ideal place for the birds to come and hang out. The lake park is situated in the heart of the city. One can get a breathtaking view of the Chamundi hills from the lake park.
The scenic landscape was previously a neglected piece of land which was acquired by the Mysore Zoo authorities in 1976 and was developed in to bird heaven. Initially it had only a couple of painted storks visiting. But slowly the avians all over came to know that this is beautiful nesting ground. Now the lake park is frequently visited by a varied species of birds including the rare Glossy Ibis.
The landscape of the Karanji Lake Nature Park
The park is structured as surrounding the lake and is filled with beautiful landscape gardens. There are plenty of fruit bearing and flower bearing trees and shrubs meant partly to beautify and majorly to attract the birds. The park authorities make it a point to keep the greenery well maintained throughout the year. Cleanliness is a great priority in this park. The entire park is declared as a plastic free zone. It is assured that any tourist will find ample amount of recreating just lazing around through the lush green park.
The biggest aviary in the country
The Karanji Lake Park prides in its status of having the biggest aviary in the country. The aviary is measuring 20 meters in height. 60 meters in length and 40 meters in width. It is erected by utilizing the naturally available trees in the habitat. There is a waterfall and a pond inside the aviary to make the water birds feel at home. The visitors can see a wide variety of pheasants and swans enjoying in their natural habitats.
The bird watch tower in Karanji Lake Nature Park, Mysore
There is a special bird watch tower in the park which might give a happy high to the bird watchers in town. The tower is about ten meters high and it provides a beautiful panoramic view of the park and the lake. From the tower, there is absolutely no hindrance to see the birds if you have telescopes or binoculars handy.
Medicinal Plant Garden
Another interesting feature of the park is the medicinal plant garden at the entrance gate of the Karanji Lake. It has more than a 100 medicinal plants carefully raised and nurtured. The idea behind the medicinal garden is to raise awareness among public about the uses of medicinal plants and the growing need for conservation.
Boating point Karanji Lake Nature Park, Mysore
Half way through the park, you will also find the boating point which will take you to a round trip around the islands in the lake. Either you can hire a pedal boat to venture out by yourself or you can hire a boatman to take you through the trip. You will also find a children’s park and a coffee booth near the boating point.
The butterfly park Karanji Lake Nature Park, Mysore
An island in the lake holds home to a beautiful butterfly park. A lazy stroll through the park will lead you to that bridge which takes you to the butterfly park. You can find almost 4 dozen species of butterflies in this park.
Do you still have doubts about zeroing in on a perfect picnic spot?
How to Reach Karanji Lake Nature Park
Entry to the Karanji Lake is around the corner of the Mysore Zoo on the Lalitha Mahal Road. You have to take the Race Course Road (Mysore Race Club) from the Mysore Zoo and turn left at the junction into Lalitha Mahal Road. Cross the next junction to see the entrance to the Karanji Lake on your left.
Mysore city is well-connected via road and rail from Major cities such as Banaglore and Chennai. The nearest airport is Bangalore International Airport.
- Timing of the Karanji Lake Park is 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
- Tuesday is a holiday.
Also see,