KRS Backwaters

Date: 17-May-15

This time, Rajath was with us in Mysore. My sister-in-law’s family had planned an afternoon trip to KRS Backwaters, a place I had heard a lot about but never visited.

Before the trip, Thilak told me about the ancient Venugopala Swamy temple that used to get submerged in the backwaters during the monsoon and reappear when the water level receded. However, Bhava explained that the historic temple had been carefully relocated to a safer location to preserve its heritage. The thought of seeing this famous temple and the backwaters made me even more excited about the journey.

Discovering the Blue Lagoon

Bhava mentioned that one of his office gardeners, Siddaraju, was from a village near the KRS Backwaters and had offered to show us around the area. We were ready to leave by 2:30 PM, and Siddaraju joined us near Hebbal at around 3:00 PM. From there, he guided us towards the backwaters. The drive itself was beautiful, and Siddaraju turned out to be the perfect guide for the day.

The moment I caught my first glimpse of the backwaters, I was stunned. The place is popularly known as the Blue Lagoon, and it was easy to understand why. This was also my first time seeing the KRS Dam. The massive reservoir stretched far into the distance, creating a breathtaking landscape. The surroundings were calm, clean, and remarkably peaceful.

Ayush immediately stepped into the water and spent some time playing, while the rest of us simply sat back and admired the scenery. Little Avyukth was perhaps the happiest child I had ever seen. He seemed to enjoy the serenity of the place just as much as the adults did. In the middle of the reservoir stood a small temple-like structure surrounded by water on all sides. This was the location where the original Venugopala Swamy Temple had stood a few years earlier.

Siddaraju pointed towards the newly relocated temple complex, visible in the distance approximately 1 km north of the original site. At first, it appeared quite small, but when we zoomed in on our photographs, we realized how grand and beautiful the temple actually was. We spent nearly half an hour near the backwaters, chatting, enjoying the scenery, and taking photographs.

Unfortunately, the weather had other plans. For the previous three days, Mysore had been experiencing heavy evening showers, and that day was no different. By around 5:00 PM, dark clouds had gathered overhead, and the weather looked increasingly threatening. Reluctantly, we decided to leave.

Hospitality beyond words

Our next destination was the newly relocated Venugopala Swamy Temple, located approximately 9 km by road from Brindavan Gardens. However, on the way, Siddaraju extended a warm invitation to visit his home.

The simple sincerity in his invitation was touching, and he seemed genuinely delighted when Bhava accepted. Looking back, visiting his home turned out to be one of the most memorable parts of the day. His house was located in a small village called Chikkana Halli, very close to the KRS Backwaters. The village itself was beautiful, peaceful, and exceptionally clean.

Thilak and I had always wanted to spend time in a traditional village and experience life in one of those charming old houses. That wish finally came true. Almost everyone in the village seemed to know Siddaraju. As we entered his home, we were immediately struck by its beauty and simplicity. It was a traditional village house with a warmth and character that is difficult to find in modern homes. His family welcomed us with genuine kindness and offered fruits from their home. They were humble, warm-hearted, and incredibly hospitable. The affection and respect with which they treated us left a lasting impression. Sometimes, the people you meet become the highlight of a journey, and this was one such experience.

When the rains took over

After spending some time with Siddaraju’s family, we decided to leave. Just as we were about to reach our car, the skies opened up and it began pouring heavily. Following Siddaraju’s suggestion, we took shelter in a nearby empty house.

The rain showed no signs of stopping. Even after twenty minutes, it continued relentlessly. Yet, nobody seemed impatient. The village looked magical in the rain. The fresh greenery, the old houses, the quiet surroundings, and the sound of the downpour created a scene that felt almost timeless. Nature was truly at its best.

We waited a little longer, and when the rain finally eased, we resumed our journey. By then, it was already 6:30 PM, and the rain was still quite heavy. As a result, we had to abandon our plan of visiting the relocated Venugopala Swamy Temple. Instead, we followed the route suggested by Siddaraju and headed back home, reaching Mysore at around 7:30 PM.

Travel snapshot

It turned out to be an amazing trip. Ironically, we never visited one of the main places we had planned to see. Yet none of us felt disappointed in the slightest.

The peaceful backwaters, the scenic drive, the unexpected village visit, and the incredible hospitality we experienced made the day far more memorable than any sightseeing itinerary could have. Some journeys are remembered for the attractions they offer. Others are remembered for the people you meet along the way. This trip belonged to the second category.

A heartfelt thanks to Siddaraju for giving us such a wonderful experience and showing us a side of rural Karnataka that we will never forget.

• Onward: Mysore Home (Vijayanagar) > Hebbal > KRS Backwaters > Chikkanahalli
  Return: Chikkanahalli > Ilavala > Mysore Home (Vijayanagar)
• Total Distance (To & Fro): 35 km

Route Map