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Venugopala Swamy Temple on the KRS backwaters
The Venugopala Swamy Temple at Hosa Kannambadi, on the backwaters of the KRS (Krishna Raja Sagara) reservoir, is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm, with the main puja at 9 am and 6 pm. Photography, video and drones are strictly prohibited inside. The 12th-century Hoysala temple spent some seventy years under the reservoir before it was taken apart stone by stone and rebuilt on higher ground.
A twelfth-century Hoysala temple that was drowned, dismantled and put back together, in that order. When the KRS reservoir filled after 1930 the village went under, and the temple spent some seventy years below the water, showing itself only in drought years. The Khoday Foundation then had every one of its 16,000-odd stones photographed, numbered, taken apart and rebuilt on higher ground at Hosa Kannambadi, where worship has resumed. At full reservoir the backwaters come up close to the outer walls. Late afternoon, with the light low over the water, is the hour to be here.
Seventy years underwater, then moved to higher ground stone by numbered stone
Temple timings and puja
According to the temple's official site:
- Open: daily, 9 am to 6 pm.
- Mahapuja: every day at 9 am and 6 pm.
There is no separate opening time for the backwaters: the temple compound sits on their edge, so the hours above are the hours of the visit. Late afternoon, when the light lies low over the water, is the hour to be here; with closing at 6 pm, aim to arrive by 4:30 or 5 pm.
✅ Rules for visitors
The temple publishes a short list of rules, and they are stricter than at many temples:
- No cameras — Videography, photography and drones are strictly prohibited. Mobile phones can be used outside the temple; inside, their use is restricted.
- No food or drink — Eating and drinking are prohibited in and around the temple premises.
- No offerings — Devotees are asked not to offer money, flowers or fruit during the puja or at any other time.
- Quiet and clean — Keep the cleanliness, sanctity and calm of the temple. The rules do not set a dress code; modest clothing is the usual courtesy at a working temple.
The drowned temple: history
The temple was built in the 12th century in the Hoysala style, around the same time as the Chennakesava Temple at Somanathapura, in the village of Kannambadi. When the KRS dam was planned in 1909, the village was condemned to submersion; the Maharaja of Mysore, Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV, had a new village built for its people and named it Hosa Kannambadi, "New Kannambadi". The main idol of Venugopala, Krishna as the flute-playing cowherd, was moved to a new temple there, and by 1930 the old complex was under water.
For some seventy years the temple surfaced only when the reservoir dropped in drought years, most visibly around 2000. The Khoday Foundation, led by Sri Hari Khoday, then took on the move: the original was filmed, more than 16,000 photographs were taken, and every stone was marked and numbered before it was taken apart and rebuilt about a kilometre north of the old site. Excavation began on 23 May 2003, and the final ceremonies were held in November 2017.
When the reservoir is full, at 124.80 ft, the backwaters reach the outer walls.
How to reach the temple and the backwaters
The temple is at Hosa Kannambadi in Mandya district, about 30 km from Mysuru and 9 km by road from Brindavan Gardens at the KRS dam, according to the temple. The usual way is by taxi or car from Mysuru, and it pairs naturally with an afternoon at the dam and Brindavan Gardens.
❓ FAQ
What are the Venugopala Swamy Temple timings?
Open daily from 9 am to 6 pm. Mahapuja is held every day at 9 am and 6 pm.
What are the opening hours of the KRS backwaters at the temple?
The backwaters here are seen from the temple grounds, so the temple hours apply: 9 am to 6 pm.
Is photography allowed at Venugopala Swamy Temple?
No. Photography, videography and drones are strictly prohibited; phones can be used outside the temple.
Is jeans allowed in Venugopala Swamy Temple?
The temple's published rules do not mention a dress code. Modest clothing is the usual courtesy at a working temple.
How far is Venugopala Swamy Temple from Mysore?
About 30 km from Mysuru and 9 km by road from Brindavan Gardens, according to the temple.
Is there an entry fee?
The temple's site does not mention an entry fee, and the India GO database lists entry as free.