Kukkarahalli Lake

Kukkarahalli Lake also recognized as Kukkarhalli Kere is located in the heart of the south Indian city of Mysore. The phrase ‘Khere’ means lake in a local Kannada language. The lake is just next to the Manasgangotri, University of Mysore and also adjoins the area of the Kalamandir, Rangyana and the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) campus, which has been separated by the Hunsur Road.

Kukkarahalli Lake was constructed by Dewan Poornaiah in 1864 AD and is sprawled over an area of 120 acres, along with its wide space it also houses more than 180 bird species with most of them being aquatic ones. The lake also houses to as many as 30 species of migratory birds that fly all the way from far flung areas such as the cold environs of Siberia, to breed here in the region. The lake is also known for providing lung-space to the city.

It is believed that Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar (1794–1868) of the Mysore Dynasty the king of Mysore was accountable for the foundation of the lake as it was initially built for providing irrigation water to about 4000 hectors of land in the suburbs of the city.It was also a source of providing drinking water in the city but as of now sewage and blockade of water has led to the water pollution in the lake.

The inspirational waters and the compelling beauty of the nature here in the lake region has inspired the writers and poets in the past as Karnatakas poet laureate, late Kuvempu (Dr. K.V.Puttappa) and renowned English writer R.K Narayan have contributed to the literature with the inspiration of the natural beauty of the region. The lake is also employed by the naval wing of the National Cadet Corps to give boat-pulling training to its cadets for the boat-pulling competition.

Karnataka State Tourism division also provides boating facility with both motor and paddleboats. The place is an ideal spot for a weekend getaway with its serene and relaxing ambience enfolded in the nature.