Random Scribbling: Mavathur Lake/Dam, Kanakapura, Ramanagara District

25 February 2023

The rural world bounding the Bengaluru city is enrapturing for city residents like me. Individuals who miss the native village like me, these rural beauties bring back memories. One such lake is Mavathur dam located near Kanakapura. We decided to visit the Mavathur lake situated south of our location. Visiting South beauties is time consuming for us since more than an hour is needed to penetrate city traffic. This does not reduce enthusiasm to explore the natural beauties.

We started around 11:30AM and reached Kanakapura around 1:45PM. The city traffic was manageable and the car moved in medium pace. It was only after 15kms into Kanakapura road, the car took pace. The highway 4 lane is intermittently completed with unfinished stretches seeing no signs of development.

The problem happened while following google maps to the destination. The map shows shortest route but not the appropriate route needed to drive. Unfortunately, we turned back in between due to narrow and weak roads. First attempt frightened us. The overflowing water from field was draining down the path over the weak base. So out of fear, we backed out. On the way back, we consumed the packed home lunch and decided to skip the dam and move to different location. When enquired with locals, they said car can easily go and asked us to try other route.

The other route was easy but the entry gate was closed. We saw few vehicles which crossed us from distance. We decided to drive back and see if we can make it in second attempt. A picture before we retry!

Trust locals and not maps for rural navigation

Next attempt, we thought of giving it chance. Serendipity struck us! A villager rode behind us and showed us right path. He stopped us and guided us to take wider alternate route. He confirmed that the one shown by google maps is not fit for four wheelers. Since it was detour, google maps did not show that path for driving. He also expressed that google maps shows the route which we opted but actual route is the different deviation. In fact, that was the most appropriate road for driving four wheelers. Before we decided to take the right route, I stopped nearby the fields prepared for cultivation. Perhaps, paddy cultivation? But there were birds probing the fields for possible meals. I traced wood sandpiper initially.

Perhaps I even spotted wooly necked stork but it flew away. The biggest jackpot was this tiny bird. The little ringed plover :-). What a moment! I was happy to spot this speck amidst the large field. The bright sunshine was enough to picture the tiny beauty clearly. I took series of pictures as not to miss this opportunity! Here are selected few!

I thought it was wood sandpiper but it turned out to be green sandpiper. Glad I didn't ignore it while funneling my attention towards little ringed plover

The drive continued along the route mentioned by villager. Wow! that was fantastic. Wider road, no risk. Despite being mud road, cars can easily glide through the path and reach destination without risk! Within 10mins, we reached the destination. Trust the locals to reach destination. Maps do not have complete picture of the location. There is no way to customize maps to provide comfortable route for selected vehicle than showing faster ones.

A walk for nearly 1km would lead us to base of dam where pier is constructed to view the lake wide open. What a view I would say! The beauty of lake coupled with bounded nature was mesmerizing sight. The strong winds transformed the lake to tiny sea. The blowing winds evoked mini tides which were striking the crest of dam. In fact, this is a static dam where the excess water is made to freely flow along spill way. The deep blue water, the clean nature, the blooming vegetation was compelling. The avian creatures too were thriving. Here are pictures!

The lake has overall three piers. Two of them are caged watch cabins and the other is open. The one which is near to open pier is tricky to reach with kids and hence we avoided. The third one is near the parking area

Not a waterfall!

The visitors have pinned this place as waterfall. Sorry to disappoint, but its not a waterfall. The excess water from lake overflows over the retaining wall when lake is full. This provides a feel of waterfall during rainier days. This is kind of artificial waterfall. However, there is no stopping you having fun in this artificial waterfall sourced from fresh water lake. Currently, the flow is not to the mark to cross the threshold.

Here is picture of spillway

And its course. This path doesn't seem to safe from this view. Perhaps the entrance is relatively safe for playing if authorities allow.

About dam

The history of the dam is unknown. The villager informed that the dam saw renovation around 40years back when it was collapsed. The water is used for irrigation purpose primarily paddy, coconut and silk cultivations. Earlier farmers were growing sugarcane but now its discontinued due to lack of sugar factory. This place does not have proper protective covers, hence one needs to be heedful of their moves. Play with highest care. The official dam entrance was closed during our visit. From other side, one can reach the dam sight and enjoy the views of splendid nature. The car cannot reach the spill-way spot but two-wheelers can easily ride.

Climbing mud ramp at entrance leads you to one of the lake shore. One can enjoy water play here as well but with caution! The pier was locked during our visit

Mavathur lake/dam is worth repetitive visits! Overall an idyllic ideal location for bird enthusiasts and nature photographers. Please do not litter the place with plastic or alcoholic wastes.

Route

Follow maps till 2kms before destination. From there, trust locals. There is wider and safer road past the village. When the mud road outsets, at the junction, maps asks you to turn left. In fact, you need to turn right which leads to short Basaveshwara temple. This road leads wider mud road which in turn

Don't take this route as mentioned by google map

Instead take below route. The Y junction is the differentiator

While we concluded sight seeing of the dam, I started my bird hunting. Couple of shots I could manage with my camera. I missed the robin and small minivets this time. The minivets were too close but hidden within foliage. Focusing was difficult. Soon they moved to distant tree.

A cormorant in flight over the lake.

Pied Bushchat (female)

Common Iora

I caught up with wood sandpiper too on return path

Will you stop capturing more? It's nearly sundown and I need to fill tummy before I can rest for day. Your presence is creating troubles!

While driving on mud road, I encountered grey francolin but it escaped to distant bushes. This is 2nd miss for me, first being near Gundamagere Lake.

On the way back, the roller was patiently perched on electric line. It did not mind me getting closer. Only concern it had was the loud noise of shutter which baffled the bird. To thank its patience, here is complete shots of the bird. Sweet bird no need to creep up!

Here is a short video from our visit. Please do not render the dam sight shoddy 🙏. There are already umpteen alcohol bottles strewed all along. This place is not official tourist destination. Just enjoy the lap of nature. Carry the trash along with you