📍Chiklihole Dam & Reservoir – Coorg’s Scenic Secret with a Unique Design 🏞️✨
Hidden amidst the lush landscapes of Coorg, Chiklihole Dam is not just a peaceful retreat—it’s also a fascinating piece of engineering. Located near Nanjarayapattana, between Madikeri and Kushalnagar, this spot offers the perfect blend of natural charm and architectural curiosity 🌿🛠️.
🌀 What Makes It Unique? Semi-Circular Design: Unlike typical straight dams, Chiklihole features a curved, semi-circular spillway, which creates a stunning cascading effect when the water overflows 💦. It’s a beautiful sight, especially after the monsoon, when the reservoir is full and the flow resembles soft, foamy waves. No Crest Gates: The dam doesn’t have crest gates—water flows naturally over the spillway, making it look like nature itself is in control 🌊. Part of the Cauvery Basin: Built on a tributary of the Cauvery River, the dam plays a quiet role in the region’s water ecosystem. 🌳 Nature & Location Set in a forested area, Chiklihole is just a short drive from Dubare Elephant Camp, making it a great addition to your Coorg itinerary 🐘🌲. The entire area is serene, with only the sounds of birds, breeze, and flowing water to accompany you—perfect for nature lovers and those looking to unplug.
🧺 Visitor Info 🕙 Opening Time: 10:00 AM 🧃 Shops Nearby: Only 3–4 small stalls with basic snacks—carry your own picnic and water 🕰️ Best Time to Visit: Early morning or late afternoon for soft light and cool breeze 🌅🌬️ 📸 Things to Do: Photography, picnicking, walking, or simply sitting by the water and soaking in the peaceful vibe ✅ Final Thoughts Whether you're a photography enthusiast, a picnic planner, or someone who just loves scenic offbeat places, Chiklihole Dam will surprise you. Its unique structure, tranquil surroundings, and natural beauty make it a memorable spot in Coorg—not overcrowded, yet deeply rewarding. 🌿💧📷
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Read moreChiklihole Reservoir, nestled in the heart of nature near Bangalore, promises a serene escape from the urban bustle. The reservoir's tranquil waters and picturesque surroundings create an idyllic setting for a day trip or weekend getaway. With its lush greenery and serene ambiance, Chiklihole Reservoir is a nature lover's haven.
Getting to Chiklihole Reservoir from Bangalore can be a bit of an adventure itself, though. The journey covers approximately 170 kilometers and takes around 4 to 5 hours by car, subject to traffic conditions. Here's how to reach this serene destination:
Route: Depart from Bangalore and head towards Mysore Road (NH275).
Mysore: Continue on NH275 until you reach Mysore. From Mysore, you'll need to continue towards HD Kote Road.
HD Kote: The route to Chiklihole Reservoir will lead you through HD Kote. It's a good idea to use GPS navigation or ask for directions to ensure you're on the right path.
Chiklihole Reservoir: After HD Kote, follow the signs and directions that lead to Chiklihole Reservoir. The journey from HD Kote to the reservoir can be a bit tricky due to the lack of well-marked roads, so patience and navigation tools are key.
However, one major drawback that visitors often face is the parking issue and heavy traffic around the reservoir area. The popularity of Chiklihole Reservoir has led to congestion on the roads, making it challenging to find a suitable parking spot, especially during weekends and holidays. This influx of visitors has resulted in traffic jams and longer travel times, taking away from the peaceful experience that the reservoir...
Read moreAt a distance of 7 km from Dubare, 15 km from Kushalnagar and 24 km from Madikeri, Chiklihole dam is a small reservoir located near the town of Nanjarayapattana. It is one of the popular places to visit in Coorg.
The Chiklihole Reservoir is built across the river Chiklihole flowing through the Cauvery basin of Karnataka. It was built in the year 1985 for the purpose of irrigating the nearby villages. The reservoir is used to fulfill the water demands of 865 hectares of land. With a length of 464.8 m and a height of 25.3 meters, the dam has a gross storage capacity of 5.097 mcm.
The unique shape of the dam in itself is a great attraction for visitors. The dam has a semi-circular structure without any crest gates. With the increase in inflow, the water overflows like foam on a curved structure and offers a breathtaking sight to visitors. The area around Chiklihole reservoir is bestowed with lush greenery and rich fauna and flora of the forest around creating a pleasing setting to spend a few special moments with your family and friends. Watching the sunset from the dam is a wonderful experience. The dense forests and open area make for absolutely awesome picnic spots.
As the place is a remote one, there is no store or shop offering any kind of facilities to travelers. Visitors must come prepared with food, water, and snacks if they want to spend a relaxing day or even a few hours in the vicinity of the dam.
The best time to visit the dam is during the seasons of monsoon and winter (June to March) when the weather is pleasant and the water level increases in the dam.
Timings: 8 AM - 5...
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