 Brief
A famous historical place on the Bangalore-Mysore highway, Srirangapatna is an island fortress, from where ruled, the kings of Mysore and the famous father and son, Hyder Ali Khan and Tipu Sultan. An island town encircled by river Cauvery, Srirangapatna is very near to Mysore as well as the sandalwood and teak forests, wild life and bird sanctuaries, which give the place a lush fresh, look. A place of much antiquity and chequered history, the temple of Lord Sriranganatha, is said to have been built by the Chieftain Thirumalaiah in 894 AD. The once capital of Hyderali and his son Tipu Sultan, The Tiger of Mysore, Srirangapatna remains in a ruined state recalling the Battles fought and the past glory.
History
A place of much antiquity and chequered history, Puranic tales reveal, that sage Gauthama worshipped the presiding deity of the town, Sri Ranganathaswamy, and he did penance here. The towns history, however, goes back to the 9th ,when the temple of Lord Sriranganatha is said to have been built by the Chieftain Thirumalaiah. During the 12th century Srirangapatna was a part of the famous Hoysala kings. A naturally protected town, a fort was built around it in the 15th century, by a local chieftain, during the Vijayanagar reign. Realising the strategic position, the growing powerful rulers of Mysore, took possession of Srirangapatna in 1610 AD and shifted their capital here. In the 18th century, the Marathas attacked Srirangapatna and forced heavy payments. Hyder threw back the Marathas, and saved the Kingdom. In 1799, Tipu fought a fierce Battle (Battle of Mysore) against the British and fell bravely defending his capital. Srirangapatna remains in a ruined state, recalling the Battles fought and the past glory.
CultureClimate & Geogaphical Location
The climate is very moderate and pleasant throughout the year with a slightly higher temperature, during summer. Winters are warm and sunny. 16 Km from Mysore and southeast of Karnataka on Bangalore-Mysore highway, Srirangapatna is an island town encircled by the river Cauvery.
How to Reach
Srirangapatna is well connected by rail, road and air. By air, Bangalore is the nearest airport at a distance of 123 km and is well connected to Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bhubaneshwar, Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai, Nagpur and Visakhapatnam. By rail, Mysore is the main railhead and is well connected to Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, Delhi, Bangalore, Hassan and Arsikere. By road, Srirangapatna is linked by a good network of roads to Bangalore, Mysore and other parts of the state. It is connected by regular bus services to all the important places to the neighbouring states Kerala, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Goa and Tamilnadu. Deluxe buses are available from Mysore at 16 Km to/from Bangalore Madurai, Trichur, Udhagamandalam, Coimbatore, Kozhikode, Udipi and Mangalore.
Tourist Places
Sriranganatha Temple
One of the largest temples in the State and of great local importance, the town assumes the name from this presiding deity, Sri Ranganatha. Built in the Dravidian style of architecture, with a lofty tower at the front, it consists of a Mahadwara with a huge tower and a pillared hall. Devoted to Sriranganatha, the colossal image of Vishnu, is in a reclining position on Adisesha, the seven-hooded serpent. Sage Gautama is believed to have worshipped Sriranganatha in this temple. Daily worship is conducted at the temple. A procession in a decorated chario,t is also held once a year on the auspicious day. According to an inscription in the temple, Hoysala king Ballala II is said to have made gifts to the temple in 1210 A.D.
Daria Daulat Bagh
Daria Daulat Bagh or the garden of the wealth of the sea, was the summer palace of Tipu Sultan. Built in 1784, this Indo - Saracenic structure made of teak has ornate and beautiful frescoes. Now a museum, it tells eloquent stories of Tipus valour and his loosing battle with the British in a series of paintings. The four big wall paintings portray the procession of Hyder Ali Khan and Tipu Sultan leading their troops, a graphic representation of the battle in which both father and son defeated the British Colonel Baillie and his army with the assistance of the French army. Portraits of several then ruling chiefs are also portrayed on the palace walls.
The Gumbaz
At the eastern end of the town, is an imposing structure in the midst of the lovely Lal-bagh garden, with a high-rise platform and having a verandah of polished black basalt pillars all round, Hyder and Tipu, the two great martyrs, lie buried. Tipus mother is also buried beside them. Tipu built the Gumbaz, for the sake of his father, in the famous Lal Bagh of Srirangapatna. Other members of their family are also buried at the place. Somewhat in the fashion of the famous Tajmahal, Gumbaz is an impressive structure, surmounted by a dome with minarets at its angles. The other things of importance are the other dungeons, gates of the fort and flagstaff cavalier, Tipus racket court etc.
Jumma Masjid
Jumma Masjid is a fine structure with two lofty minarets. An inscription here reveals, that it was built in 1787 A.D. Adorned with cornices and floral bands, the minarets have metallic kalasas at the top. A climb of 200 steps leads to the top of each minaret. The minarets are visible from a distance, as one drives down the Bangalore-Mysore road.
Sangam
A little away from the Gumbaz is the Sangam, the confluence of the two branches of the river Cauvery. It is a bathing ghat and also a picnic spot.
Dungeon
Adjacent to the temple, is a dungeon in which Tipu Sultan ,had imprisoned the captured British soldiers and officers. It was in this dungeon, below the ground surface, that Tipu had imprisoned Col. Bailey, a British officer, whom he had captured in one of the Mysore wars.
Ranganathittu bird sanctuary
On the rocky islands of the river Cauvery, on the way to Krishnarajasagar lies Ranganathittu bird sanctuary. A natural island with the river flowing amidst greenery, make it a beautiful spot,where thousands of birds from far off places, crossing continents and oceans, all the way from Siberia, Australia and even North America, migrate here.. The onset of monsoon rings the bell and migratory birds start arriving from far off lands. They engage in courtship, lay eggs in the nests all around, and sing in their myriad voices, transforming the air all around into a cacophonic orchestra. One can watch hundreds of birds ,of various feathers, flocked together on the big trees, which are studded with nests. The birds dart through the branches and splash over the water looking for food in the deep waters of the Cauvery. White Ibis, Painted Stork, Open Bill Stork, Little Egret, Darter, Spoon Bill, Pond Heron, Night Heron, Purple Heron, Cattle Egret, Cormorant, Blue Jay, Bush chat, King Fisher, Whistling Teal, Weaver Bird, Wild Duck, Peafowl and various other exotic birds make it, their temporary homes. Boats are available to go round the island and to have an enthralling experience, offered by nature. The best time to visit the sanctuary is between June and October.
Others
FORT - It is from here, that Tipu started his attack, against the British. An obelisk in the fort marks the place, where he fell - betrayed by his own men. The fort holds within it a mosque and the Ranganathaswamy Temple.
PLACE OF TIPUS DEATH - At a distance of about 1/4 km to the northeast of the Ranganatha Temple, marks the spot, where Tipu Sultan lost his life, fighting against the British.
TIPUS PALACE - About 150 yards east of the Ranganatha Temple, one can see the mound and ruined walls of the Lal Mahal, which was once a magnificent palace inhabited by Tipu Sultan.
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