Karanji Lake is an urban lake and nature park in Mysuru, Karnataka, with a walk-through aviary, gardens and other park facilities. It’s a good stop for time outdoors, and its location beside the Regional Museum of Natural History makes it easy to pair with a museum visit.
- Location: Mysuru, beside the Regional Museum of Natural History
- Park scale: 90 acres; more than 100 years old
- Facilities: Walk-through aviary, gardens, bird-watch tower and pedal boating
- Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; closed Tuesdays
- Tickets: Published prices differ between the Mysuru Zoo authority and district administration
Getting to Karanji Lake
Karanji Lake is 2.6 km from the Sub Urban Bus Stand, 3.9 km from the railway station and 11.6 km from the airport, according to the Mysuru District administration. From Hotel Sepoy Grande Mysuru, it’s about 6.1 km to the lake; Sepoy Grande is a hotel in Mysuru.
The district administration places the lake 3.9 km from the railway station and 2.6 km from the Sub Urban Bus Stand.
Lake, aviary and park features
Karanji Lake combines a large urban waterbody with a nature park managed by the Mysuru Zoo authority. The authority says the lake covers 90 acres and is more than 100 years old, and its facilities include a walk-through aviary, bird-watch tower, Palm Garden, Bambusetum, butterfly park, orchidarium, children’s play area, forest nursery, walking track, toilets, free potable water and pedal boating.
The site’s history includes a change in purpose: after serving as a municipal waste-dumping ground, the lake was handed over to Mysuru Zoo in 1976 for protection and development.
Hours, tickets and visitor rules
The Mysuru Zoo authority gives the park’s hours as 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with closure every Tuesday. Opening hours and charges can change, so check the official site before you go.
Published lake-entry charges differ: adult tickets range from ₹10 to ₹60, while child tickets range from ₹5 to ₹30, with age categories varying between the published tariffs. Both tariffs list free entry for children below 5; confirm the applicable rate before setting out.
The district administration gives still-camera charges of ₹10 and video-camera charges of ₹25, plus boating charges of ₹25 per adult and ₹15 per child. Ask at the entrance about current charges and any rules for your visit.
Combining the lake with nearby attractions
Karanji Lake pairs naturally with the Regional Museum of Natural History, which Mysuru Tourism describes as being on the lake’s banks. You can plan the two stops together, checking each venue’s current opening details before you go.
For another animal-focused visit, the Mysore Zoo visitor guide covers the nearby zoo.
The Regional Museum of Natural History offers a different kind of stop alongside the lake’s outdoor setting. Its visitor guide covers the museum.
A one-day Mysore route can help place the lake among the city’s other sights.
FAQs
What is Karanji Lake?
It’s an urban lake and nature park in Mysuru, managed by the Mysuru Zoo authority. The park includes an aviary, gardens, a walking track and pedal boating.
Is Karanji Lake open every day?
No. It is closed every Tuesday and has published hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
How much does entry to Karanji Lake cost?
The published adult and child entry charges differ, so confirm the applicable rate before your visit.
Can you go boating at Karanji Lake?
Pedal boating is available, with published adult and child charges of ₹25 and ₹15 respectively.