6 BACKWATERS IN KARNATAKA

At a distance of 5 km from Sakharayapatna, 63 km from Kemmangundi and 25 km from Chikmagalur, Ayyanakere Lake is an ancient lake situated at the eastern base of Baba Budan Range hills. This is the biggest lake in the Chikmagalur district and the second largest lake in Karnataka. Ayyanakere is also called as Dodda Magoda Kere and it is surrounded by beautiful hills.

This lake believed to have been constructed by Rukmangada Raya, a ruler of Sakharayapatna. It was renovated in 1156 AD.....

At a distance of 10 Kms from Chikmagalur & 50 Kms from Kemmangundi, Hirekolale Lake is a beautiful manmade lake amidst beauty and surrounded by high mountains. The famous hills of Mullayanagiri can be viewed from here. This lake was built to supply water to Chikmagalur town and irrigation of lands in surrounding villages.

This place can be easily accessed from the town of Chikmagalur. It can be visited throughout the.....

At a distance of 29 Kms from Madikeri, 3 Kms from Kushalnagar, 7 km from Bylakuppe & 12 km from Dubare Elephant Camp (close to the main road between Madikeri - Kushalnagar), Cauvery Nisargadhama is an island formed by the River Cauvery. This man-made island was built in 1988 and is spread over a sprawling 35-acre land. It is very scenic location and famous picnic spot for families.

The island is filled with thick bamboo groves, sandalwood and teak trees and surrounded by the Kaveri.....

At a distance of 29 km from Madikeri and 15 km from Kushalnagar, Dubare Elephant Camp is an elephant training center situated on the banks of the river Cauvery in the district of Kodagu, Karnataka. It is an important base for the Karnataka Forest Department's elephants. Dubare elephant camp is a project undertaken by forest department and jungle lodges & resorts. It also offers river rafting facilities in River Cauvery.

This camp has plenty of elephants which are trained under.....

At a distance of 34 Kms from Madikeri & 10 Kms from Kushalnagar, Harangi Dam is built against a small stream, a tributary of river Cauvery at Hadgur village. The dam is 846 meters long with a height of 47 meters. The dam attracts large crowd during the monsoon season when the gates are opened and the water is released. The backwaters are spread across several acres with small islands in the middle and thick forest on the banks.

There is a small garden near the dam and a stone statue of.....

At a distance of 52 km from Kemmangundi, 20 Kms from Tarikere, 78 km from Chikmagalur & 31 km from Shimoga, Bhadra Dam is a magnificent Dam built across Bhadra River near Lakkavalli village.

The dam offers wonderful views of the surrounding hills. There are several small islands formed by the reservoir and these islands are shelters for migrating birds. Boating facility is available in the reservoir. The forests & valleys surrounded by the dam are rich in wildlife and the reservoir is.....