Srirangapatna
This island fortress of Tippu Sultan is situated on the Bangalore-Mysore Highway at about 25Kms from Mandya. This history-rich town was the capital of the Warrior-Kings Hyder Ali and his sonTippu Sultan - The Tiger of Mysore.
Krishna Raja Sagara Dam and Brindavan Gardens:Located 19 kms North-West of Mysore is the KRS Dam and the ornamental terraced Brindavan Gardens. The swirling Musical Fountains dancing to the rhythm of soft music and colourful Lights transform this place into a fairy land in the evenings, attracting thousands of visitors.
Kuntibetta is a small hill ideal for trekking. It is actually two hills, namely Kuntibetta and Bheemanabetta, near the town of Pandavapura. It is believed that the exiled Pandava brothers and their mother Kunti spent some time here.
The ruins of Tipu's Palace can be found at Srirangapatna, 16 km north-east of Mysore. It is about 150 m away from the Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple.
Tomb of Tipu Sultan and his father Hyder Ali is situated at the south-eastern end of Srirangapatna. Built by Tipu Sultan in 1784 for his parents, this is an elegant square tomb chamber surmounted by a brick built dome. Tipu was buried here in 1799.
Mandya Jain Temple, located at a distance of 42 km from Mysore and 100 km to the south west of Bangalore, enshrines the idol of Bhagvan Ananthanatha Swamy in the kayotsarga posture. Besides the idol of Bhagwan Ananthanatha Swamy, idol of Goddess Padmavathi Devi is also seen inside the temple sanctum.
Gumbaz:Tippu's Fort at Srirangapatna holds within it the Juma mosque and the Ranganatha Swamy Temple. Outside the fort, is the Gumbaz, the tomb of Hyder Ali and Tippu Sultan.The Masjid-e-ala mosque built during Tipu's time(1784) was completely painted by the "Baburi" motif which was later whitewashed by the British.
Satyagraha Soudha Shivpura:A monument to mark the freedom struggle at Maddur in particular and Mandya district in general, this is an architecturally unique building located on Bangalore Mysore Highway, 80 K.M. away from Bangalore and 25 K.M.s from Mandya.
Shimsha: A fine Inspection bungalow overlooks the deep and verdant Shimsha valley where the river Shimsha joins the Cauvery. This place is reached by the road that branches off from the main Maddur-Malavalli-Kollegal road.
Kaveri Fishing Camp:Kaveri Fishing Camp, at Bhimeshwari. A paradise for anglers with the rich Mahaseer fish found in abundance. Karnataka Jungle Lodges and Resort, Bangalore manages this Fishing Camp.
Hosa Holalu Temple:The Lakshminarayana temple is a magnificient example of Hoysala architecture of the thirteenth century. The intricate carvings in stone depict various images from the Mahabharata and other epics.
Sriranganatha Temple :
Temple of Lord Vishnu in the sleeping posture on the Great Snake Anantha, is one of the Largest Shrines in the State. The temple represents a mixture of Vijayanagara and Hoysala Styles of Architecture.The architecture and wall carvings of this temple are astounding. Outside the temple, handicrafts made locally are sold at a very reasonable price.
The lake of Tirumalasagara is 6 km from Melkote. It is where the Hoysala King Bittideva accepted the Vaishnava faith under the patronage of the sage Ramanujacharya. Nambi Narayana Swamy and the Venugopala Temple on its bank are two beautiful examples of Hoysala architecture.
Adichunchanagiri Peacock Sanctuary:Located in Mandya District, Adichunchanagiri peacock sanctuary is covered with scrub forest and plantations. The altitude here varies from 770 - 1000 m. The sanctuary was established with the specific purpose of protecting the peacock. Other fauna seen here includes bonnet macaque, fruit bat, jungle cat, common mongoose and hare.
Daria Daulat Bagh:
Built in 1784, this Summer Palace was one of Tipu's favourite retreats. Made of teak, this Indo-Saracenic structure has ornate and beautiful frescoes. Now, a museum houses some of Tippu's belongings There are mural paintings on the walls of the ground floor depicting Tippu's Military Campaign against the British.
Shivanasamudra falls
The river Shimsha , a tributary of the Cauvery, has its fall in Malavalli taluk in Mandya district, located at about 60 Kms from Mandya.The Cauvery at Shivanasamudra falls (in Mandya district) has twin jumps, Gaganachukki and Bharachukki, one km away from each other and their water has been harnessed for production of power from 1901. Falling down from a height of 75 m into a deep gorge,these falls are best during the monsoons.1.5 kms.away is Asia's first hydro-electric power project set up in 1901.
Kokkrebellur
Small village at about 40 Kms from Mandya. Entire village waits eagerly for the arrival of winged guests every year with whom villagers have developed a relationship of reverence.During October/November every year, the village turns home to migratory birds. Flocks of painted storks (ibis leucocephalus) and spot billed pelicans (pelecanus philippenis) descend on the hamlet to build their nests and rear their young ones.
Melkote
Around 35 kilometres from Mandya city is to be found on a hilly tract comprising some of the oldest rock formations on the earth's crust. Nestling in the heart of these hills lies the temple town of Melkote or Tirunarayanapuram (as it is also called ).
Bheemeshwari Wildlife Sanctuary is situated between the cascades of Mekedatu, Barachukki and Gaganachukki in Mandya District. It is a perfect picnic spot with verdant forest, steep valley and beautiful streams. It is the natural home for Mahseer fish and a variety of exciting animals. Fauna includes wild boars, monkeys, jackals, crocodiles, otters, leopards and deers.
Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the districts of Mysore, Bangalore and Mandya in Karnataka. The Cauvery River forms the northern and eastern boundary of the sanctuary.The sanctuary is occupied by dry deciduous forests and some patches of scrub forest. Inhabitants include tiger, leopard, elephant, wild pig, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, four-horned antelope, Malabar giant squirrel, grizzled giant squirrel, common otter, and hare. Reptiles include marsh crocodile, turtles, python, cobra, Russells viper and banded krait
Basaralu Temple:The Mallikarjuna Temple at Basaralu is a good and highly ornate specimen of Hoysala architecture, built in the thirteenth century by Harihara Dannayaka, during the rule of the Hoysala King Narasimha II. Two fine elephants with animated appearance flank the doorway of the porch.
Brahmeshwara Temple, Kikkeri:Situated about eight miles from K.R.Pet town and ten miles from Sravanabelagola, this temple is a fine specimen of Hoysala architecture. It was constructed in A.D.1171, during the rule of the Hoysala King Narasimha I, by a lady named Bammare Nayakiti.The architecture of this single-celled temple features a magnificent stone tower and beautifully carved pillars. Narasimha Temple of Hoysala period is an ancient temple situated to the south east of the famous Ranganatha temple at Srirangapatna at a distance of 100 yards
Hemagiri:Hemagiri in K.R.Pet Taluk, about six miles from K.R.Pet Town, is on the bank of the river Hemavati. The left bank of the river has a continuous strip of grand and fascinating foliage
Kaveri vana:The musical fountain in the well maintained "Kaveri Vana" gardens in front of the D.C. Office attracts hundreds of visitors every Sunday.
Brindavan Gardens
The Krishna Raja Sagar dam (in Sriranagapatna Taluk) was designed & constructed by renowned architect Sir.M.Vishweshwaraiah in 1932 during the regime of Sri. Krishnaraja Wodeyar - IV. It is built close to confluence of three rivers cauvery, Hemavathi & Lakshmana Teertha. The length of the dam is 2621 meters & height 39 meters. The reservoir itself is spread over an area of 130 Sq. Kms.
Ganjam:
Housing the mortal remains of Tipu Sultan, his father Hyder Ali and his mother, the Ganjam has splendid ebony doors inlaid with ivory. Tippu's favourite Tiger stripes cover the walls.
Sri Nambinarayana Temple, one of the temples of Mandya district that is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Located at Thondanur, this temple is constructed by the Hoysala dynasty and closely resembles the Chennakesava Temple at Belur and is over 1000 years old.
Sri Keshava Perumal Koil is located at Bindiganavile in Mandya District of Karnataka. This temple is built in Dravidian style of architecture and it is an ancient shrine popular among Hebbar Iyengars, a sub-sect of Vaishnavas. The temple is dedicated to Sri Channa Keshava Perumal, who resides along with Sri Sowmyanaayaki Thaayaar.
Ugra Narasimha Temple is one of the famous temples of Mandya district, built by the Hoysala Dynasty. This is a fine reflection of architectural poise. This particular temple enshrines the 7 ft high shining black idol of Lord Narasimha with eight hands and three eyes, killing Hiranyakashipu and wearing the viscera as garland.
Ranganathittu
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, 4 Kms to the South West of Srirangapatna, is home to several exotic species of birds. Emigrant birds of all types notably pelicans and storks can be found here. Ranganatittu Bird Sanctuary that allows a close view of birds, both exotic and familiar and of crocodiles that resemble mud banks. Birds from as far away as Siberia make this their home.
Tannur Lake:Among the many lakes in the district, the Tannur lake which was also called the Moti Talab, in the Pandavapura Taluk, is an old lake with historical association. It is situated about 3 miles to the left of the seventh mile of the Pandavapura Railway Station- Nelligere Road. |
KarnatakaDistrict 
