Raveesh Kumar: Chitradurga Trip : Vani Vilas Sagar, Jogimatti and Murugarajendra Matha

Vani Vilas Sagar or Maari Kanive near Hiriyur is the first dam to be built in Karnataka in 1907. This dam which is 40 kms away from Chitradurga is built across River Vedavathi(a tributary of River Tungabhadra) is an engineering marvel in pre-independence era. If you are traveling from Bangalore towards Chitradurga, you have to take a deviation near Hiriyur to reach the place. Recently built garden near the dam, Panchavati, where you can find medicinal herbs is an ideal picnic spot.

Vani Vilas Sagar Dam

Jogimatti, a hill station is 10 km away from Chitradurga town. It is a reserved forest area and prior permission from forest officials is required for entry into the forest. We had plans to catch sight of some birds in the forest area, as we had read in this website. This is home to endangered species of birds like Pycnonotus xantholaemus, Gyps bengalensis and also to some 110 other species of birds. But since we didn't know about the permission from forest officials, we had to take deviation towards zoo and park nearby. Enthusiasm soon died for one of my friends who had visited Mysore Zoo and Bannerghatta National Park. Anyway, peacocks, cheetahs, deers, tortoise are there to greet you. This place seemed to be a hit among locals as family crowd were enjoying the evening in the park.

Peacock in Jogimatti zoo

Murugarajendra Brihanmatha in Chitradurga town is one place where you can find lush greenery all around in a rocky town. Matha has a garden and zoo in its premises. Emu bird from Australia is an attraction here.

Murugarajendra Matha, Chitradurga

When in Chitradurga, you feel as if wind mills are ubiquitous here. You can see it everywhere. Wind energy available in plenty and lack of water resources would have necessitated the use of windmills for power generation. Chitradurga trip was a memorable one. Especially, Chitradurga fort which was amazing. Still, I felt that we have not explored the fort fully. My friend, Guru will surely agree with me.