Visavad ni Vav
Visavad is a small village that lies on the Dwarka-Porbandar Highway. Visavad is an ancient place which used to be called Vishnupad. It is famous for the Mool Dwaraka temple. Adjacent to the temple complex is a stepwell, built in the 13th century, similar in design but much smaller in proportion to that of Adalaj Vav in Ahmedabad. Locals call it Jananavapi. It has an L-shaped plan, with stairs leading down to the well. The entrance to the well is through a mantap which has a pyramidical tower on top and a bench with backrest on either side. As one descends the stairs and at the turn is the first of the three pyramidical towers covering the three pavilions of the longer side of L. The middle tower has a storey, while the last and the third one has two storeys. The niches in the vav have idols of deities including Vishnu, Brahma and Surya.
Vani Vilasa Sagara
Much before KRS dam was constructed, the erstwhile Mysore state had built a huge dam in another part of the state. The reservoir created by the dam is picturesque and could potentially be a wonderful tourist spot.
Vani Vilasa Sagar is a reservior created by the dam of the same name in Hiriyur Taluk of Chitradurga district in Karnataka. The dam is also known as Mari Kanive and is built across River Vedavati. It was built by the erstwhile rulers of Mysore state, the Wodeyars. Initiated by Dewan Seshadri Iyer, the construction of dam was started in August 1898 and it took 9 years to complete it in August 1907. The dam is named after the Queen Regent of that time Sri Vani Vilasa Sannidhana(mother of Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar after whom KRS is named). The dam is a major water source for Chitradurga town and irrigates the Hiriyur and Challakere taluks.
The machines for the dam gates have been imported from England, just like in KRS, from a company called Ransomes & Rapiers Limited of Ipswich.
The reservoir could be a wonderful spot for water sports and can be developed as a tourism circuit along with Chitradurga fort.
Location : 13.887311, 76.489596
Getting there : From Bangalore, take NH4 upto Hiriyur. Take the Hosadurga road from Hiriyur town. Vani vilasa sagara is around 20kms from Hiriyur.