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Markonahalli Dam

Markonahalli Dam

About:

A large minor irrigation project dam built in 1942 by the British.Markonahalli Dam is a dam built across the river Shimsha in the Kunigal Taluk of Tumkur district. It was built by Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, the king of Mysore under the guidance of his Diwan, Sir M Visweswaraiah.Constructed across river Shimsha, the dam serves as a water source for almost 4000 villages for agriculture. Shimsha is a sub-river of Kaveri and one of the three rivers which flow in Tumkur district. The dam has an automatic siphon system, very first to be of that kind in Asia - thanks to the great Sir MV. When the water inflow increases and water level reaches 88ft, extra water goes out of the dam unmanned. There is no need of any person to be present to open the gates. Main reason to implement this system is, if water increases by another 4 ft, the famuous temple of Sri Siddalingeshwara in Yediyur will drown.

Location info:

Address:Across the river Shimsha in Kunigal Taluk
District: Tumkur
Nearest City: Yediyur
Best time to visit: Jan to Dec

Climate/Weather of Markonahalli Dam:

 

History of Markonahalli Dam:

A large minor irrigation project dam built in 1942 by the British. It was built by Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, the king of Mysore under the guidance of his Diwan, Sir M Visweswaraiah.The dam has an automatic siphon system, very first to be of that kind in Asia

Interesting things to do:

 

Interesting things to Visit:

  • Mangala dam
  • Small hillock crowned by a Venkataramanaswamy temple
  • Oldest Stud farm currently managed by UB Group
  • Kunigal Dodda Kere
  • Age-old temple dedicated to Someshwara and Parvathi at Kunigal.

Mobile range info:

 

How to reach Markonahalli Dam?

Nearest Railway Station:Bangalore to Tumkur
Nearest Airport:Bangalore International Airport
Road Transport:93 KMs from Bangalore/Bangalore Mangalore NH 47

Nearest Visiting places in Markonahalli Dam:

  • Yediyur - 2 KMs
  • Kunigal stud farm (Horse breeding farm, owned by Vijay Malya)
  • Kunigal lake (famous through the folk song 'Moodal Kunigal kere')
  • Deepambhudi lake - 26 KMs from Kunigal
  • Huliyurdurga - another picnic & small trek point - 22 KMs from Kunigal

Nearest Petrol Pump:

Lot of petrol bunks on the national highway.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation nearby Markonahalli Dam:

There are no hotel/lodges avilable near dam. Alternate options - Kunigal/Yediyur.

Things to carry:

Drinking water, Stuffs to pla outdoor games (viz Volleyball, Footballa etc), Camera (But don't take the snaps of the dam - security reasons).

Tips & Suggestions for Markonahalli Dam:

 

Help Line/Phone Number:

Police Station:100
Nearest Hospital:Hospitals at tumkur
Society/Community Phone Number

Markonahalli Dam Nearest Attraction

Aralaguppe
There are Hoysala temples here belonging to the last days of the Hoysala dynasty. The Kalleshwara temple of the much older Noramba dynasty is famous here. Noramba dynasty ruled the Karnataka area at the same time as the West Ganga dynasty and built many temples here.....more
Shimsha River
Shimsha is a river that flows in the state of Karnataka, India. It is one of the tributaries of the river Kaveri, which is one of the major rivers of South India. The river originates in the southern part of the Devarayanadurga hill in the Tumkur district of Karnataka and flows for about 221 km. before joining the river Kaveri....more
Kaggaladu Heronry Sanctuary
A nondescript village in Tumkur district wakes up each year to the raucous cries and colourful plumage of painted storks and grey herons as they nest on old tamarind trees amidst the houses. This is the only place in Karnataka where these species nest side by side.....more