Vani Vilas Sagar: Karnataka's oldest dam

Near Hiriyur, the Vedavathi river is held back by one of the oldest dams in Karnataka – Vani Vilas Sagar, known locally as Mari Kanive.

A royal project

The dam was built by the erstwhile Kingdom of Mysore and completed in 1907. It is named after Vani Vilasa Sannidhana, the queen regent of Mysore, during whose time the project was taken up to bring irrigation to this dry part of the Deccan plateau.

Why visit

• A stone-masonry dam set in a narrow valley between hills.
• Gardens and viewpoints popular with families at weekends.
• When the reservoir fills after a good monsoon, the outflow is a spectacular sight.

Tip: check local news for water levels before a visit – the spectacle depends on the rains.