Bheemeshwari - History, Timings & Entry Fee

At a distance of 103 km from Bangalore City Junction and 58 km from Mandya and 84 km from Mysore Junction, Bheemeshwari is a small town in Mandya district of Karnataka. It is located between the Shivanasamudra Falls and Mekedatu on River Cauvery. This is one of the popular tourist places to visit near Bangalore and a well known place for the activities of trekking and adventure near Bangalore city, apart from being a famous Bangalore weekend getaway for one day trip.

Bheemeshwari is a great spot for eco-tourism and is a natural habitat for the Mahseer fish found in the waters of the Cauvery River. Mahseer is considered as one of the finest game fish in the world. A number of fishing camps have been developed here where professional and amateur anglers can catch mahseer. The surrounding lush forest cover is home to many animas like elephants, wild boars, monkeys, jackals, crocodiles, otters and leopards; as well as a variety of water birds like herons, ibis, cormorants and kingfisher.

Bheemeshwari is also a great place for trekking and boating. Tourists can participate in adventure activities like river rafting on the Cauvery, enjoy a coracle ride, take a nature walk to just sit back and indulge in bird watching.

Bheemeshwari is surrounded by lush green forests and lies in the midst of steep valleys, this place is ideal for trekking and there are a number of trekking trails here. One can trek to Doddamkali which lies 7 km from Bheemeshwari, an isolated place that is ideal for bird watching that also offers opportunities for rafting and fishing. Galibore is 16 km away from Bheemeshwari. This place is also a natural habitat for fish and attracts large number of anglers. This is a catch and release camp so if you do manage to catch a fish, you have to release it back. There is an elephant camp site near the Cauvery Fishing Camp and you can trek this route, along the river through the jungle trail.

The best time to visit is just after the monsoons, between August and February. This is the best time for bird watching as river terns, fishing eagles, wood peckers, kingfishers and other water birds flock around the area. These waters are full of dangerous crocodiles and anglers should take precaution and try not to venture onto the banks completely alone.

Accommodation options in Bheemeshwari range from tented cottages to log huts at various fishing camps. These camps offer tents with essential facilities including mosquito nets, cots and bathing facilities.