Introduction

Channapatna is famous for its lacquerware toys and is aptly called "gonmbegala ooru" meaning toyland. It is situated about 60 kilometer (37.5 miles) southwest of Bangalore and 40 kilometer (25 miles) from Mysore, in Ramanagaram district. The toy industry affects almost the whole town in some way or the other. More than 6000 people are an active part of it – there are 254 home manufacturing units and 50 small factories here.

It was Tipu Sultan who invited artisans from Persia to train local artisans to make toys out of ivory wood or Ala mara, as it is locally known. Over time, other woods -- including rubber, sycamore, cedar, pine and teak – started being used. After a spell of decline, the industry is now being revived by the Karnataka Handicrafts Development Corporation. The craft is now protected as a geographical indication (GI) under the World Trade Organization.

Apart from toys, Channapatna is also famous for its raw silk and coconut products. Around 20 kilometer (12.5 miles) away is the Maloor Aprameya Swamy Temple. It has the famed Ambegal Krishna whose beauty inspired Purandhara Dasa. Maloor is also known as Dakshina Ayodhya. Other religious places around the town are the Kengal Aanjaneya Swamy Temple, Kanva Maharshi Math, Bevoor Math and Brahmanya Theertha Brundavan. There are around 30 Mahdavi mosques in Channapatna.

Other attractions include the Kanva Reservoir, 13 kilometer (8.12 miles) away, with an automatic siphon system, the Revana Siddeswara Betta and the Kokkare Bellur bird sanctuary where you can find spot-billed pelicans and painted storks.

Special Attributes

Channapatna is also known as toyland because of the lacquerware toys it produces.

Nuisance

The site is peaceful, and free of irritants.

Dressing restrictions

No such restrictions. Dress in whatever you find comfortable

Connectivity

There are many buses operating to Channapatna from Bangalore's main bus stand in Majestic. Alternatively, you can hire a private taxi.

Enjoyed by

All

Exposure

The weather is fairly pleasant, like Bangalore's. But it could get sunny in the afternoons.

Avoidable Season

The monsoon since your time outdoors will be curtailed.

Facilities

Basic, prepare accordingly

Things Not Allowed

No such restriction

Tip

There are many tourist attractions around Channapatna.

Type of site

Activity, cultural, religious