The famous Brindavan Gardens at Krishnaraja Sagar has come back alive with vibrant colours and shapely fountains.

The Cauvery Niravari Nigam (CNN) has more or less completed the Rs. 3.52 crore facelift programme, bringing back the original glory of this popular tourist-destination. Developed over six decades ago by Sir Mirza Ismail, when he was the Dewan of Mysore
State under Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, the unique terraced garden had suffered in its charm and look of recent. Its eye-pleasing illumination and myriad of fountains had reached pathetic state with neglected care and maintenance, often resulting in public
complaints.

Responding to the public criticism, the Government of Karnataka entrusted the face-lift project to the CNN, eight months ago. The face-lifted garden was expected to be thrown open by the Dasara but, financial and other constrains delayed the work and the garden and fountains sporting a new look are now drawing bigger crowds.

By redesigning the fountains into different shapes, around 900 colour bulbs throwing different rainbow shades adding charm to them, BNA Technology Consulting Company of Bangalore has brought about a new pleasing look into the entire garden. While the non-functional fountains have been put to order, newly designed springs like new-wave fountain, snake-fountain, and Russian fountain have made the gardens enchanting. Some of them are functioning with digital technology and said to be the first of its kind in the country. The earlier charm, musical fountain, has also been made more attractive.

Similarly, at the surface of the row fountains of the terraced gardens tiles have been laid to offer a cleaner look of gliding waters and to avoid accumulation of weeds and dirt. As these fountains earlier operated through gravitation of level of water in the KRS dam and suffered when the water level went below the gravitational level, a newly installed pump-set will now ensure water to the channels and keep the fountains playing all through the year. For the purpose, the garden power line has been stepped up from 4.6 kv to 11 kv. The lawns too have received a better illumination now.

When the dam saw overflowing waters last year, after three successive years of poor inflow, the Brindavan Gardens attracted a large number of tourists. Now, its old glory back, the garden is expected to further improve its draw of visitors.

Irrigation Minister Mallikarjuna Kharge, who formally opened the renovated gardens on December 12, announced that the Krishnarajasagar Hotel, overlooking the gardens, would be commissioned again, like its counterpart, Hotel Metropole in Mysore.