Places near Bangalore to visit that are on the bank of river Kaveri(or Cauvery) and are suitable for a day trip or picnic. Here is a summary of all the places that could serve as a reference.

· Muthathi

· Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary

· Sangama, Mekedatu and Chunchi falls

· Shivanasamudra - Gaganachukki and Bharachukki waterfalls

· Talkad

· Balmuri Falls

· Hogenakkal

· KRS dam and Brindavan gardens

THE KAVERI BELT AROUND BANGALORE: MUTHATHI

There are many places close to Bangalore and Mysore along the banks of Kaveri that make perfect spot for a day trip or pleasent picnic to to cover each of these places one at a time, starting with Muthathi.

Muthathi is probably the nearest place from Bangalore on the banks of the river. It is a small village, near which the river runs shallow and wide. Road to Muthathi runs parallel to the river and makes a pleasent drive. While you are there, you can dip into the waters and enjoy the feel of the running water. The good thing about the place is that it does not get very crowded in the weekends(At least yet!) and even if it does, there is enough open space that you can always find some nice and empty area near the bank for yourself.

Other than loitering by the river, the approach to the village is a nice drive through dry deciduos forests where you might spot wildlife if you are lucky. One of the specialities of this region is the highly endemic grizzled giant squirrel which are rare and hardly seen.

Grizzled Giant Squirrel

Muthathi Information

The best thing about Mutathi is that it is just 90 minute drive once you leave the town. Drive on the Kanakapura road through Kanakapura and Sathanur. Turn left at Satanur and drive for another 30 minutes to reach Muthathi. You drive through the hills and wilderness of Cauvery wildlife sanctuary and get good views of the river. There is no accomodation available in Muthathi village but nearby Bheemeshwari has a resort run by Jungle Lodges and Resorts. Advance booking is necessary. Pack your food before you leave the town since there are no restaurants available. Nearby places that can be visited include the Bheemeshwai Jungle Lodge which is famous for angling activities. It is known as one of the best places to catch Masheer fish. Also close by are Mekedatu, Chunchi falls and Kaveri Sangama where river

SANGAMA, MEKEDATU AND CHUNCHI FALLS

Sangama is the confluence of two rivers – Arkavathi and Kaveri(Cauvery). This place is around 2 hours drive from Bangalore and can be done on a two-wheeler or a four-wheeler. Arkavathi will be just a small stream for most of the year and will have some water during the monsoons. It is best to visit the place in rainy season when kaveri is running full of water.
The last 5kms of the drive to Sangama is quite interesting. The road takes a steep dip into a valley and offers a nice view of the running river. The waters here are shallow and wide, so you can walk around in the water or take a dip. When you are done, you can walk through the forest, along the banks of the river for around 3kms and reach Mekedatu. You also have the option to take a bus, but most people prefer to walk. As you move towards Mekedatu, you notice the river getting narrow, until at some point there is hardly a 20 feet distance between the banks. The river runs ferociously at this point and has formed beautiful soft structures on the rocky banks. Legend has it that the channel was so narrow that sheep would jump across, and hence the name Mekedatu(Meke = sheep, datu = cross in Kannada).
Around 5kms before Sangama is a waterfall on the river Arkavathi. You would not find much water most of the year except in the monsoons.

Information

To reach Sangama, drive on Kanakapura road from Bangalore. You need to leave the highway after Kanakapura and take a left. Inquire once you reach the town. Another option is to take a circuitous route by driving on the highway till Satanur and taking a left from there. Once you are in Sangama, you can take a bus that keeps shuttling between Mekedatu and Sangama. But most people prefer to walk leisurely along the riverbank. To go to Chunchi falls, take a left turn around 5km before Sangama. There is a sign on the road which you will not miss.
Nearby places to visit include Muthathi village in Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, Galibore fishing camp and Jungle Lodges at Bheemeshwari

Arkavati meets Kaveri.

RANGANATHITTU

In Ranganathittu, real estate for birds must be very precious. So many birds come there that they probably fight for space. Ranganathittu is a series of small islands near Mysore, formed by river Kaveri. These islands offer good isolation and protection for the birds and hence is flocked by a lot of them.
Most common migratory visitors include painted storks, open billed storks, white ibis, darters, spoonbills and night herons. You can find some or the other kind of birds most of the year but best time to visit is in winter when it is full of migratory birds. A birding enthusiast can see many resident types other than the visitors, which includes parakeets, hornbills, kingfishers and many more. Very well known residents are a pair of river terns who have grown used to humans and do not mind people getting close to them.

River Tern with eggs

A pair of Openbilled Storks

The place is maintained by forest department which provides boats for visiting the islands. A typical boat ride lasts for 15 minutes and can be extended by paying additional fees. Good time to visit would be early in the morning or in the evening hours. 

Ranganathittu Information

Ranganathittu is located just off Bangalore - Mysore highway, close to Srirangapattna and is around a 120kms from Bangalore. Start early from Bangalore so you can reach there before the sun is high. Morning times are best for bird watching, but keep in mind that the place is open only between 8.30 and 5.30. From Bangalore, drive on the Mysore road till you reach Srirangapattana, continue further for another 3kms and then turn right. After driving for another 5 minutes in this road, you reach the right turn to the sanctuary. Drive for 5 more minutes on the banks of a small canal to reach the sanctuary. If you plan to visit just Ranganathittu, it would be easier take ksrtc buses early in the morning, get down at Srirangapattna and take a rikshaw to the sanctuary.

Nearby places to see include Tipu's fort, his grave at Srirangapattna and Sangama where two branches of Kaveri - Poorvavahini and Paschimavahini re-unite. This place being very close to Mysore, you can also visit this city of palaces if you have time. 

SHIVANASAMUDRA - GAGANACHUKKI AND BHARACHUKKI WATERFALLS

Shivanasamudra is probably the largest waterfall in the region after Jog Falls. The place is also credited for hosting the first hydroelectric project in India. Here, Kaveri splits into two, falls into a valley in two separate places called Gaganachukki and Bharachukki and re-unites downstream. A good lot of water falls down from both the waterfalls. Gaganachukki especially is a steep fall where water gushes down with great velocity. The two waterfalls are around a 15-minute drive apart and make beautiful picnic locations.

Shivanasamudra can be approached either via Bangalore – Mysore road or Kanakapura road. If you are taking Mysore road, you need to turn left at Maddur and drive some distance. On Kanakapura road, keep driving for around 120 kms on the highway. Shivanasamudra is very close to the highway. Kanakapura road is usually devoid of much traffic and is preferred way for driving. The roads are not very good and it may require 3 hours to cover the distance, so plan to leave early. There are no hotels close by and no accommodation or restaurants available on location. Nearby places to visit include Talkad, which has nice sandy shores by the river and a few historical monuments.

TALKAD

Talkad is another place on the banks of Kaveri ideal for a day trip or picnic. One would be surprised to see seashore like sandy banks here. You will miss the waves though.

People often come here in big groups to spend some time in the wide-open area on the banks, play some games and spend a good time. If you wish to, you can wade through neck deep waters and walk to the other side of the river in summers. You can also hire coracles and take a short trip on the river. Talkad also hosts some historical temples just a short walk from the riverbank, recently unearthed by archeological department.

The road to Talkad runs right next to the river for a considerable distance. The water you see here are surprisingly deep turquoise like the sea. To reach Talkad from Bangalore, take Mysore road and drive till Maddur and turn left. The road from Maddur is narrow and not in good condition but manageable. Nearby places to visit include Shivanasamudra falls.

BALMURI FALLS

If you watch Kannada movies, you have most likely seen this place in one or the other movie. A small checkdam constructed here across Kaveri has made this an excellent pinic rendezvous. In late winter and summer, shallow water running on the dam platform and the falling water attracts people in plenty. It is fun to sit under the fall and let the falling water give a massage your back. Good time to visit is winter season when there is just enough water in the river. Balmuri is very close to Ranganathittu and both of them can be covered together in a day. 

HOGENAKKAL FALLS

You get the feel of the river running nearby when you enter the sanctuary enclosing Hogenakal waterfall. Suddenly, there is plenty of vegetation and little habitation, the road keeps going down and down into the valley indicating the probability of finding a river. A 15 minute of quite drive into the forest leads you to a busy and noisy village(or call it a marketplace) or Hogenakkal.

The real action begins with the boatmen, even before you get to see the waterfall. You realize that you need a coracle to go there, and approach the boatmen expecting to pay may be a 20, 30 or 50 rupees. You would be in for a big surprised when they ask you for a 500! Heavy bargaining can bring it down considerably but they are pretty smart businessmen and they know you wont go back easily after coming this far!
This is another big waterfall on the Kaveri river after Shivanasamudra. Though not as high as the earlier one, it is equally magnificent, with the river falling into a narrow gorge in several bursts of water. There is no wide open space where you can stand and watch the fall; you need to hire a coracle and get right into the gorge to be able to see it. The boatmen can take you really close to the falling water, sometimes to make the water splash into you if you wish. River here is only a little wider than Mekedatu but much mellow, flows through a narrow channel surrounded by rocks on both sides which are carved into strange shapes by the river. Boatmen say water is probably a 100 feet deep here. The channel looks lovely and the rocks look as if they were carved by an artist!

There are many such bursts of water in Hogenakkal

Another attraction are local kids who can show you their diving skills, for a fee. They can dive for you from a height of around 30 feet into the water and climb straight up back on the rocks in no time, all for mere Rs.5 from the spectator. There is competition within them and you may be offered a discount! A little downstream to the river is a wide plane where day trippers and picnic crowd spend most of their time, but you don't really find a good shelter anywhere there. Men can attempt a massage offered by the local masseur but is best avoided.

Hogenakal Information

Hogenakal is around 150km from Bangalore. You need to take Hosur road and drive through Hosur and Krishnagiri, turn left after Krishnagiri and reach Dharmapuri. Drive into Dharmapuri and ask for directions to the fall. Another 30km drive takes you to Hogenakal. Roads are pretty good till Dharmapuri and then will slow you down a bit. Expect a two and a half hour journey. No food or accommodation available at the location and it is good to pack your lunch before you start. Starting early from Bangalore helps, as it can get really sunny as the day goes.

KRS - KRISHNARAJASAGAR DAM AND BRINDAVAN GARDENS

KRS is the largest dam built on the river Kaveri in Karnataka. It is around 130km from Bangalore. It was built in pre-independence time by famous diwan of the then Maharaja of Mysore - Sir M Visvesvraya who is well known for engineering many more such large scale projects. The reservoir of the dam looks endless and seems to have oceanic proportions. The wall of the dam is several kilometers long. Just besides the dam is the well known scenic garden - Brindavan Gardens. It has numerous fountains that it is known for. The best attraction is the musical fountain which attracts a lot of people during the weekends.

Fountains in KRS. In the background is the wall of the dam

Information

Krishnaraja Sagar dam is close to Ranganathittu and Srirangapattna. A trip to KRS can be combined together with a visit to Ranganathittu. Take Mysore road from Bangalore and drive for around 100kms till you reach Srirangapattna. Drive further on the highway for a few more minutes and turn right. This is the same road that takes you to Ranganathittu. Continue driving here for 10 minutes and you will see a right turn to KRS which is further 10 minutes drive from here. Best time to visit would be Sunday evening to view the musical fountains. You can start on Sunday morning and visit Ranganathittu, come back to Srirangapattna and visit Tippu's grave and Sangama, and then go to KRS in the evening and return to Bangalore.