The Lingambudhi Lake is a freshwater lake located in the city of Mysore. The lake is one of the few surviving water bodies of the city. The beautiful lake is a reserve of rich bio-diversity. The water body is situated in Sriramapura, at a distance of around 8 km from the city centre. The lake is surrounded by a blanket of greenery.
The water body is one of the favourite spots among nature lovers to spend some quiet moments away from the buzz and din of the city. It is an ideal place to sit and allow the mind to relax completely.
History of the Lingambudhi Lake, Mysore
The Lingambudhi Lake was built in the year 1828 under the supervision of the then Maharaja of Mysore, Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar. It is believed that the lake was named after Lingajammanni, a member of the Wodeyar royal family. The lake was built to provide irrigation facilities to about 200 acres of land in the surrounding areas.
The water body did not enjoy any special privilege since its construction in 1828 and till the later part of 1980s. It was simply considered as another common village lake situated on the outskirts of the city of Mysore. The water body served as a source of drinking water and irrigation for the villagers. It was also used as a rich source for fish produce. The lake was a good spot for washing clothes and cattle of the villagers. The people belonging to the village of Lingambudhi Palya, a small settlement near the lake, also used the water body for performing a number of religious rites.
However, in 2001 the Forest Department woke up to the need to conserve the lake. It proposed the lake to be declared a protected area. The proposal took two years to be accepted and implemented. Finally in the year 2003 the Lingambudhi Lake was declared to be a protected forest area. The ownership and responsibility for the maintenance of the lake now lies with the Forest Department.
The beauty and attraction of the Lingambudhi Lake, Mysore
The Lingambudhi Lake in Mysore is a place of abundant natural beauty. The surrounding greenery of the area enhances the charm of the lake. The serene water and the soothing environ creates a tranquil atmosphere. Though the lake is not well developed like some of the other famous lakes of Karnataka, this large water body has its own unique attractions that force people to visit it from far and near. It is a popular spot for watching various species of birds and butterflies.
Birds at the Lingambudhi Lake, Mysore
The major attraction of the lake is the presence of several species of wonderful birds. In fact, the lake is a bird watcher’s delight. It is one of the prominent destinations in Karnataka to observe a variety of bird species that arrive at the lake from far off places like Central Asia and Eastern Europe. It was once considered to be the flying highway of winter migratory birds. A huge number of migratory birds used to arrive at the lake during the winter season for the purposes of nesting and breeding.
Among the various species of birds found at the lake are Shoveller , Pintail, Garganey, Common Teal, Spotted Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Black bellied Tern, Gull billed Tern, Brown headed Gull, Black headed Gull, European Roller, Eurasian Curlew, Curlew sandpiper, Pallas Grass hopper Warbler, Terek Sandpiper, Pied Avocet, Tickell’s Green Leaf Warbler, Thick-billed Green Pigeon, Verditer Flycatcher, Red-necked Phalarope and many more. Some of the migratory birds that visit the lake belong to rare species of the world. It is one of the few selected spots in Karnataka that is used by Pelicans and Darters for foraging.
Butterflies at the Lingambudhi Lake , Mysore
The Lingambudhi Lake is a unique spot that offers the pleasure of watching a variety of butterflies. The lake has been found to attract all the five families of butterflies. According to a study conducted on the lake for a period of over a decade, 107 species of butterflies have been spotted near the water body. The vegetation surrounding the lake supports butterfly population. Like the birds, several species of migratory butterflies also visit the lake for the purpose of roosting. Among the famous butterfly species spotted at the lake are Cadaba spp, Critalaria spp, Cassis spp, etc.
Timings for visiting the Lingambudhi Lake, Mysore
The Lingambudhi Lake is open for public visit at any time of the day. There is no entry time or entry fee associated with this lake.
How to reach the Lingambudhi Lake, Mysore
Mysore is a city that is conveniently located. It can be accessed by several means of transport from various parts of Karnataka and beyond. There is a small airport in Mysore that connects the city to Bangalore. The rail network has trains that connect Mysore to various other cities, especially those located in the southern part of the country. There are frequent bus service between Mysore and the neighbouring cities and states, including Bangalore.
The Lingambudhi Lake can be accessed by various modes of transport from Mysore. Visitors can reach the place by hiring taxis and cabs. There are a number of buses that carry passengers from the city bus stand to the lake. The lake can also be accessed by private cars.
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