Karanji Lake - Park / Boating / Birds Sanctuary — Attraction in Karnataka

Karanji Kere, located on the outskirts of Mysore, is a peaceful and picturesque spot that offers a refreshing escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. This serene lake and its surrounding area are perfect for nature lovers, bird watchers, and anyone looking for a quiet retreat amidst lush greenery. Known for its tranquil environment, Karanji Kere is one of Mysore's hidden gems, offering both natural beauty and a chance to experience local wildlife in an unhurried, peaceful setting. Scenic Beauty and Natural Surroundings Karanji Kere is a large, well-maintained lake surrounded by expansive green lawns, wooded areas, and a variety of local flora. The lake itself is stunning, with calm waters reflecting the surrounding trees and sky. The area is well-kept, with paved pathways for leisurely walks, benches to sit and relax, and shaded areas to enjoy a picnic. The lake's peaceful atmosphere makes it an ideal spot for those seeking a tranquil retreat. One of the lake’s standout features is its proximity to the Chamundi Hill, creating a beautiful backdrop to the scenic views. The whole area feels untouched, offering a perfect escape into nature. Whether you’re strolling along the lake’s edge, enjoying a boat ride, or simply soaking in the surroundings, Karanji Kere exudes a sense of calm that’s hard to find in more commercialized attractions. Bird Watching and Wildlife Karanji Kere is particularly well-known for its bird watching opportunities. The lake is home to a variety of migratory birds, especially during the winter months, making it a popular spot for bird watchers. The surrounding park area has a dedicated bird sanctuary, where you can spot a wide range of birds in their natural habitat, from local species to migratory ones that stop by during their seasonal journeys. If you're a nature lover or a photography enthusiast, the bird sanctuary is a true highlight, offering ample opportunities to observe and capture the beauty of the birds in flight and on the water. In addition to the birds, the area is home to various species of butterflies, small animals, and lush greenery, creating a rich and biodiverse environment. Activities and Attractions Apart from bird watching, Karanji Kere offers a range of activities that make it an enjoyable destination for all ages. You can enjoy a peaceful boat ride on the lake, where you can appreciate the surrounding nature and the occasional sight of water birds gliding by. The boating experience is serene and gives you a unique perspective of the lake and its surroundings. The nearby Karanji Kere Park also offers a small but pleasant zoo, which is home to some exotic and local animals, adding a touch of fun for families with children. The zoo is clean and well-maintained, making it a nice complement to the natural beauty of the lake. While the zoo is relatively small, it offers a pleasant and educational experience, especially for younger visitors. Visitor Experience Karanji Kere provides a calm, laid-back experience perfect for those looking to escape the more crowded tourist spots in Mysore. The lake is a popular spot for locals who come here for walks, picnics, or just to enjoy the serene environment. Although it’s not as famous as some of Mysore’s other attractions, such as the Mysore Palace or Chamundi Hill, Karanji Kere offers a more peaceful and refreshing experience, away from the hustle of the city. The park is family-friendly, with spacious grounds for children to run around and explore, while adults can relax by the water or enjoy a quiet boat ride. The clean and well-maintained facilities, along with friendly staff, contribute to the overall positive experience.

Final Thoughts A serene and picturesque natural oasis in Mysore, ideal for nature lovers, bird watchers, and families looking for a...

Karanji Lake is a lake located in the city of Mysore in the state of Karnataka, India. The lake is surrounded by a nature park consisting of a butterfly park and a walk-through aviary.1] This aviary is the biggest 'walk-through aviary' in India.[2] There is also a museum, the Regional Museum of Natural History which is located on the banks of this lake. The total area of Karanji lake is 90 hectares. While waterspread area is about 55 hectares, the foreshore area measures about 35 hectares.[3] Karanji lake is owned by the Mysore Zoo Authority.[4] Mysore Zoo gets a revenue of an average of Rs. 50000 per day from ticket sales to enthusiasts who visit this lake.Karanji Lake was one of the favourite haunts of migratory birds like herons and egrets. But the lake started getting polluted when sewage from the nearby residential areas were let into the lake. This pollution led to the destruction of aquatic life in the lake and with the food-source getting depleted, the migratory birds started to avoid the lake.[In order to prevent the destruction of this lake and to renovate it, help was sought from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation (KUIDFC) and Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK). These three organisations came together and undertook the restoration activities of this lake.[3] Financial help to the tune of Rs. 12 million was provided by ADB and ZAK undertook the restoration work with the co-ordination of KUIDFC.

The first step undertaken was to stop the sewage from entering the lake. Other restoration activities included removal of polluted silt, de-weeding of the entire lake surface, removing 30 cm of silt from the lake, restoration of feeder channels, construction of a jetty to start boating facility, and the construction of a bridge to the newly created 'butterfly park'. A watch tower was also constructed to view the birds and study their behaviour. A giant fountain which can spew water up to 40 feet has been recently added as an attraction.[5] A nursery of medicinal plants is also present here.The aviary constructed on the shore of the lake has a height of 20 m, length of 60 m and width of 40 m making it India's biggest walk-through aviary.[2 The aviary was set up at a cost of Rs 3.8 million. It includes an artificial water fall and two small water bodies. Water from the Karanji lake is pumped inside the aviary in the form of a stream while the used water is discharged into the lake.[7] It has about 40–50 birds of 17 species.[6] Hornbills, peacocks, white-peacocks, turkeys and black swans are some of the birds found in this aviary. This aviary was temporarily closed in the year 2006 to prevent the break-out of...

Karanji Lake, located near the heart of Mysuru, is a peaceful retreat for nature lovers, bird watchers, and families looking for a calm, scenic outing. Sprawling over 90+ acres, this lake is surrounded by lush greenery and well-laid walking trails, making it ideal for a slow-paced nature walk, especially during the early mornings or late afternoons.

One of the standout attractions here is the walk-through aviary, which is said to be one of the largest in India. It offers a unique chance to get up close with a variety of exotic birds in a semi-natural habitat. But what truly delights visitors are the free-roaming peacocks — often seen gracefully strolling through the gardens or perched quietly on tree branches. Watching these majestic birds up close, sometimes dancing or spreading their feathers, is a memorable experience — especially for kids and photographers.

The lake itself is serene and photogenic, with boating facilities available (mostly pedal boats). The boating experience is pleasant and gives you a quiet view of the lake surrounded by trees and birdlife. The walking path around the lake is shaded and relatively clean, with benches and small bridges that make it easy to rest and enjoy the surroundings.

However, despite its natural charm, there are a few points that might disappoint some visitors. First and foremost is the entry fee, which feels quite steep for a public nature park. The parking fee also feels unreasonably high considering the simple infrastructure available. For what is essentially a self-guided park visit, the pricing could be better balanced.

Another aspect that could be improved is maintenance. While the core areas like the aviary and main walking trails are well-kept, some corners of the park could use better upkeep. On weekends and holidays, the park tends to get crowded, which takes away from the tranquility that it otherwise offers.

Despite these drawbacks, Karanji Lake still holds its charm. It's a rare place within city limits where you can spot so many birds, enjoy a quiet walk, and even sit by the water without the constant noise of traffic. For first-time visitors to Mysuru, it can still be a worthwhile stop — especially for those traveling with children or anyone with an interest in birds and peaceful...