My sister and me always had an extended summer holidays, as my uncle’s family from Delhi would be visiting Mysore every year for their summer holidays. Our holidays would end in May and their holidays would start from June. We two and our two cousins would have fun together, chatting, laughing, relishing mangoes and jackfruit, reading and of course visit all the tourist spots without fail in Mysore for the umpteen time.
One of our expedition that we always enjoyed was an early morning walk from home to Kukkarahalli Kere (Lake). This lake was 1Km away from our old home in pristine surrounding with a 1Km tank bund on which we could walk and also rest on some of the stone benches with bougainvillea creeper as a canopy. While going back home we used to break our fast at Ramya, the drive-in restaurant and tuck into Idli and Vada drowned in piping hot Sambar or a Ghee Masala Dosa.
Thankfully my parent’s new home is less than a Km away from Kukkarahalli Kere. So, a visit to Mysore remains incomplete without a walk around the lake. Now, Kukkarahalli Lake has been restored and a convenient path is laid all around the lake for the walkers. The total distance one can cover walking all around the lake is around 3.5 Km.
Many types of migratory water birds and land birds can be spotted like Heron, Sand Piper, Painted Storks, Pelican, White small Egret, Ducks, Snake bird, Black Cormorant, Black Egret, King Fisher, Weaver Bird, Grey Horn Bill, Sun Bird, Wagtail etc., We have even spotted a snake swimming!…the lake is full of surprises. You can enjoy a view of the Chamundi Hills from the North Western part of the lake. The tiny ripples of water lapping the edges of the lake are a sight to behold! A walk around the lake is not only physically beneficial, but is also therapeutic to the hectic and humdrum corporate mind. The calmness of the water, fresh air and the chirpy land and aquatic birds engulfs and refreshes you.
Birds everywhere!
Picture (L – R) – Little Grebe, Glossy Ibis, Darter/Snake Bird, Red watled Lapwing, Purple Moor Hen, Spot billed Duck
Many types of beautiful wild flowers, weed flowers, grass and foliage growing all around the lake add to the beauty. We spotted wild Passion flowers, which was a treat to the eye and senses.
Picture (L – R) – Passion Flower, Purple weed flower, Hyacinth Flower
During monsoons you can see many different shapes of mushrooms sprouting on the ground. Snails walk on the path to give you company.
A well manicured garden is maintained at one end of the tank bund.
Place Statistics:
Type of Place: Lake
Situated: Saraswathipuram, Mysore
Distance: Mysore is 140 Kms from Bangalore
Type of transport: Mysore is connected by both Rail and Road. Autorikshaws or Taxis can be hired to reach the lake.
Facilities: Rest room and drinking water
