Places to visit near Mysore – Tourist places Sightseeing
Tourist Places to Visit Near Mysore :
Srirangapatnam
16 km from Mysore is Srirangapatna, The island fortress that was once capital of Hyder Ali and Tipu sultan, the tiger of Mysore. It is named after ‘Sri-Ranga’, the presiding deity of this little town.
Bagh
The Gardens of the wealth of the Seas, on the banks of river Cauvery, was Tipu’s favourite summer retreat. Built in 1784 in the Indo-Saracenic style, the palace is made of teak and has ornate and beautiful frescoed. An elegant room serves as a Museum where Tipu’s gold embroidered tunic, his coin collection and some western paintings and engraving are on display. Top in the list of tourist places to visit near Mysore.
Fort
With his legendary and sword Tipu attacked the British soldiers from here. An obelisk marks the place where Tipu fell, betrayed by his own men.
Gumbaz
The tomb of Tipu Sultan, has splendid ebony doors inlaid with ivory, black pillars creating a dramatic contrast with the cream walls of the building, a magnificent dome and delicate minarets. Traditional gardens lead to the Mausoleum. Top in the list of tourist places to visit near Mysore.
Jumma Masjid
This mosque is where Tipu Sultan offered his ‘namaz’. Persian inscriptions tell us the 99 names of Allh and date the period of construction of the mosque to 1787 A.D.
Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple
It is blend of Hoysala and Vijayanagara styles of architecture. Images of Vishnu can be seen on Pillars, ceiling and domes. The image of god is represented by the seven-headed serpent, after whom the island and its oldest structure were named. Top in the list of tourist places to visit near Mysore.
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctury
Just 4 km from srirangapatna and 18 km from Mysore is the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary. This bird watcher’s paradise is home to many exotic birds, some from as far as Syberia and North America. Little boats take near the tiny islands where he birds nest on tall trees. Crocodiles amazing in the sun are a familiar sight too. Top in the list of tourist places to visit near Mysore.
Nanjangud
It is an important pilgrim centre, 23 kms south of Mysore. The Nanjangudeshwara Temple here, is built in the Dravedian style and is one of the biggest temples of its kind in Karnataka.
Somanthapur
35 km from Mysore, Somanthapur is renowned for 13th century Hoysala temple in honour of Channakeshava, Janardhana and Venugopala. Of the 3 most famous Hoysala temples in Karnataka, this was the last to be built in 1268 AD. History states that the temple was commissioned by Somnath, a religious minister of the Hoysala King, Narsinha III. This beautiful temple with its star shaped base was conceived and created by Jana Kachari, perhaps the era’s best architect and sculptor. The exterior walls have fine frescoes of passages from the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Bhagavatha Geetha.
Melkote
50 km north, is the sacred pilgrim centre of Melkote. The Vaimudi Festival in March-April, attracts more than one lakh devotees. Melkote is also known for its handalooms.
Bandipur National Park
80 km from Mysore, the Bandipur National Park is one of the most beautiful wildlife centres with rare species of animals and birds. Organised safaris let you watch these creatures in their natural habitat. A number of jungle resorts dot this area. Bandipur was also chosen as a centre for the Project Tiger launched in 1973, by the WWF to save the tiger. Top in the list of tourist places to visit near Mysore.
Cauvery Fishing Camp
82 km east of Mysore, at Bhimeshwari, is a paradise for anglers. Mahasheer, the finest game fish is round here.
Shivasamudrum
85 km from Mysore is Shivasamudrum, where the river Cauvery cascades down in two picturesque waterfalls. Falling from a height of 75 m into a deep rocky gorge, these falls are best during the monsoon .Asia’s first hydro-electric project, set up in 1905 is 1.5 km away. Top in the list of tourist places to visit near Mysore.
Nagarhole National Park and Kabini River Lodge
Nagarhole National Park and the Kabini River Lodge are a nature-lover’s delight. Here is a rich variety of wildlife: elephants, gaur, chital, sambar even tigers and leopards. Here too are more than 250 species of birds. Top in the list of tourist places to visit near Mysore.
Talakad
Situated on the banks of the river Cauvery, the holy place of Talakad is completely buried beneath sand dunes. Its temples are opened for ceremonial worship on special occasion once in 12 years.
