Bengaluru Weekend Getaway: Explore the 95‑Year‑Old Hulikere Tunnel in Mandya

If you’re scrolling through endless lists of cafés and malls for a quick weekend escape, consider swapping the usual city buzz for something a little… historic. About 139 km south of Bengaluru, nestled in the quiet village of Hulikere near Kalenahalli, lies an engineering wonder that dates back to the late 1920s.

The Hulikere Tunnel, a subterranean canal stretching roughly 2.8 kilometres, was carved out between 1928 and 1931 – a time when heavy‑duty machinery was a luxury, not a given. Yet, with sheer grit and a dash of ingenuity, workers managed to bore a 3.75‑metre‑wide, 4.5‑metre‑high passage through solid earth, creating Asia’s first underground irrigation tunnel.

Back then, the project was a royal endeavour. Maharaja Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar of Mysore ordered its construction, while Dewan Mirza Ismail and the legendary Sir M Visvesvaraya laid the foundation stone in 1928. The cost? A modest Rs 4,56,000, funded by the state, and a labour force that travelled from Kerala, Maharashtra and Punjab, earning just 1.5 to 4 annas a day.

What’s truly amazing is that the tunnel still works. Water flows through its 20‑foot arched entrance, feeding the fields of Mandya district just as it did nine decades ago. In an era when many newly built canals buckle under a single heavy rain, this century‑old conduit stands resilient, a silent testimony to the skill of its builders.

Getting there is part of the adventure. The drive from Bengaluru takes about two and a half hours, winding through the scenic countryside of Karnataka. Once you reach Mandya city, a further 14 km on a modest road leads you to Hulikere village. The journey is perfect for families – instead of the usual cinema or mall outing, kids get to walk through a real‑life engineering classroom.

Visiting the tunnel is straightforward: park near the entrance, admire the towering arch, and then wander down the cool, echoing passage. The atmosphere is oddly soothing; the faint rush of water, the ancient brickwork, and the faint smell of earth create a unique, almost meditative vibe.

So next weekend, ditch the usual routine. Pack a picnic, grab your camera, and head to Mandya. Whether you’re a history buff, a budding engineer, or just someone looking for a peaceful spot away from the city’s hustle, the Hulikere Tunnel offers a rare blend of history, functionality, and quiet charm.