Srirangapatnam Tourist Destination Karnataka

Location (Best time to visit September to March)

Srirangapatnam is situated on the banks of River Cauvery in the South Indian state, Karnataka. This tourist destination is at a short distance of 16 km to the north of Mysooru. Srirangapatnam is 140 km away from Bengaluru. 

The Past

Founded in 1120 AD by Udayaditya, the brother of Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana, the town of Srirangapatnam has got its relevance in forming the history of South India especially the history of Mysooru.

The serene spot Srirangapatnam is an island encircled by the sacred River Cauvery and is the native place of “Mysore Tiger” Tipu Sultan and Hyder Ali. They are the courageous rulers of Mysore who have relentlessly and fearlessly fought against the ruthless British rulers of India in the 18th Century. These two mighty rulers bear reputation for keeping away the British from South India for almost half a century. Srirangapatnam is also noted for its temple dedicated to Lord Sriranganatha.

Originally, Thirumalaiyah, a chieftain, built the town. He has taken initiatives to construct a temple dedicated to the reclining form of Vishnu locally called Srirangnath from which the town coined the very name. Historians opine that though confirmed Muslims, Tipu and his father Hyder Ali were the frequent visitors of the temple. 

The sage Gauthama Budha is said to have visited and stayed on one of the islands nearby Srirangapatnam. Gauthama worshipped Lord Sriranganatha and the figure of Gauthama along with Godess Kauvery is also enshrined inside the temple that is mainly dedicated to Lord Ranganatha. 

Places to Vist

Major landmark of the town is Sriranganatha Temple. Its sanctum sanctorum enshrines the massive idol of the deity of Lord Sriranganatha reclining on Adidesha, the mythological serpent. The black idol is carrying a golden crown of mastered craftsmanship. It is a 10th Century temple. As an instance of religious harmony recommended by Tipu Sultan, the temple still possesses some silver vessels and pearl jewelers donated by him. As it is a Vaishnavite temple most of the priests are Srivaaishnava Archakas. Friday is the auspicious day with a series of prayers for which great masses are formed. 

The temple is noted for its harmonious amalgamation of Hoysala and Vijayanagara style of architecture. In the inner entrance, on the two pillars (Chaturvimshati pillars) one can see the carved figures of various forms of Lord Vishnu. The temple has attained its completion of construction through three different stages. Hence the exquisite icons represent both these styles. 

The Srirangapatnam fort is regarded as the second strongest and the very tactful fort, has a lot to say about its founder Tipu Sultan’s unparallel chivalry and bravery. The elephant gate is the main entrance among many of the entrances in the different parts of the fort. A Persian inscription can be found at its gateway that announces the date of its construction. Two of the haunting Dungeons, with low vaulted roofs were used to jail the British officers. The fort also contains some of the remains of cannons. 

The Juma Masjid was constructed in 1787 AD by Tipu’s special initiative, as he was a confirmed follower of Islam. Two minarets that aim at the sky adorn the Juma Masjid. At the top of each of these minarets one can reach through the flight of 200 steps. The Persian inscriptions also carry the extracts of Holy Koran. 

Constructed by Tipu Sulthan in 1784 as his luxurious summer Palace the Daria Daulath Bagh is situated on the southern bank of the river Cauvery. It is a monument constructed in the Saracenic style of architecture. For the time being, it is a museum. “Garden of the Wealth of Sea “ as its very name suggests is abound by beautifully carved wooden pillars, balconies and arches. The mural paintings on the ground floor illustrate battlefields, court scenes, military campaigns etc. Some of the 19th Century paintings can also be seen here. The museum is open every day except on Fridays. 

Places Nearby

Krishna Raja Sagara Dam is situated at a distance of about 12 Km to Srirangapatnam houses the globally celebrated Brindavan Gardens on its terraces. Decorated with the colorful lights and fountains, that springs up according to the rhythms of melodious music is not only a visual delight but also the wonderful creation of human skill and imagination. The Brindavan Gardens opens on all the weekdays at 7.00 a.m. and closes at 8.00 p.m. except on Sundays and Saturdays on which days at 08 a.m. till 09 p.m. 

Sangama, a place where the two streams of the River Cauvery re-unite is a serene and calm picnic spot just 3 km from Srirangapatnam. A cruise on the slow pace waves gives an unforgettable experience. 

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary nestles abundance of rare species of water birds and it is an ideal spot for the curious bird watchers. The sanctuary is situated at about 4 km south west of Srirangapatnam. Occasionally visiting migratory birds capture the wondering psyches of tourists. Here well-educated ornithologists are available who are amazingly skilled to spell out each and every detail of birds. The crocodile bank has many of them. A small cruise around the sanctuary must be done at early hours of the day for those who are interested in bird watching. The best season to visit the sanctuary is in between October and November. The sanctuary opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m. 

Shopping

Most of the tourists visiting here do their shopping at Mysooru, which offers excellent possibilities. 

Places to Stay 

Excellent accommodation is available in and around Srirangapatnam. The Karnataka State Tourism authorities are offering relatively cheep and good accommodation of various ranges. The riverside cottages are equipped with all the basic amenities such as clean rooms, communication facilities etc. 

How to Reach 

The nearest airport to Srirangapatnam is Mysooru, which is 20 Km away that connects to various regional cities. 

Mysooru is the nearest railhead to Srirangapatnam. Mysooru - Bengaluru passenger trains are available to reach at Srirangapatnam. 

Srirangapatnam situates on the Mysooru - Bengaluru National highway. All of the buses pass through this main sector stops near Srirangapatnam. As the sight seeing places are lying nearby in the island hiring a bicycle is advisable. 

Non-Hindus can enter the Sriranganath Temple except near the sanctum Sanctorum. Smoking is strictly prohibited on the temple premises. Srirangapatnam visits can be made as a part of Mysooru city tour.

Tourism of Gujarat

Gujarat has four national parks and 11 sanctuaries. The game sanctuary at Gir (the world's last habitat of the Asiatic lion), the sacred temples of Dwarka and Somnath, Palitana, the picturesque mountain city of Jain temples on about 2000 feet high Shetrunjaya hills, Udwada, the oldest place of the Fire temple of Parsees in India, the 5000-year old archaeological finds at Lothal, the 11th century Sun temple at Modhera, bird sanctuary at Nal Sarovar, architectural monuments of Indo-Saracenic style at Ahmedabad and the national shrine of Gandhiji at Sabarmati, are a few of the varied attractions. 

Taj Mahal in Agra India|Taj Mahal Tours

The Taj Mahal in Agra India is a monument that has inspired poets and architects to ecstasy. The Taj Mahal is a memorial to everlasting love. Prince Khurram was the son of Jahangir the Mughal Emperor. While still a teenager, he met the breathtakingly beautiful Arjumand Banu Begum, whose good looks inspired court poets of the Mughal court to say, “The moon, hid its face in shame before her.”  Khurram told his father the Emperor that he had found his bride.  Five years later they were married and from then on they were inseparable. Khurram ascended to the throne, as Shah Jahan – “the ruler of the world” in 1628. Arjumand Banu Begum was called Mumtaz Mahal – the chosen one of the place and was Shah Jahan’s constant companion. She died shortly after giving birth to their 14^th child in 1631. Her dying wish was that Shah Jahan would build her a mausoleum unrivalled in beauty anywhere in the world, which he fulfilled when he built the Taj Mahal in Agra India. 

A grief stricken Shah Jahan lost all interest in administering his empire and turned his energies towards the construction of this grand mausoleum. The Indian poet and Nobel Laureate, Rabindranath Tagore described the Taj Mahal as a teardrop that glistened “spotlessly bright on the cheek of time...” For the next 22 years the work continued, finished in 1648 and drained the Mughal treasury of 32 million rupees. A huge labor force of 20,000 workers led by Muhammed Hanif, the head of the masons and the Persian architect Ustad Isa or Ustad Ahmad Lahauri, were employed in its construction. The Taj Mahal has been described by the poet Sir Edwin Arnold, as "Not a piece of architecture, as other buildings are, but the proud passions of an emperor’s love wrought in living stones."

Umaid Bhawan Palace Rajasthan

Umaid Bhawan Palace is palace located in Jodhpur, Rajasthan and named after Maharaja Umaid Singh. It is a prime residence of Jodhpur royal family and few parts of this palace is regulated and managed by Taj group of hotels. It is located at Chittar hill so it is also known by name of Chittar hall. It has in total 347 rooms from which 64 rooms are in hands of Taj hotel group.

This amazing palace was drafted by Chatra Mohan Sharma; the draftsmen of Indian Railway. In Umaid Bhawan palace Jodhpur a museum also exist where you can witness the things, signs related to Jodhpur royal princes and kings of 20^th century. Now Maharaja Gai Singh has ownership over this golden yellow palace. 

Here beautiful long corridors, Italian marble floors, courtyard, etc with amazing furniture, amazing weather are really deserved to be called as a heaven structure on earth. And it is really a news of happiness that we can enjoy living in rooms of this jodhpur palace by booking rooms here. By visiting here you can well take the appreciation of visiting one of the large royal residences of the world.

Lake Palace in Rajasthan

Lake Palace Hotel is one of the most luxurious hotels in India having 83 rooms and suits. It is widely spread in 4 acre area in Jag Niwas Island in middle of Lake Pichola, Udaipur, Rajasthan. This hotel is regarded as one of the best chosen hotels for couples for honeymoon as to reach here there is no any way other than boating in water. In a recent vote, Hotel Lake Palace Udaipur is chosen as the most romantic hotel in India.

It was started to build in 1743 by Maharana Jagat Singh II; belongs to Mewar Royal dynasty and took almost 3 years to complete. It was made for purpose of spending summer for Mewar Royal family and its architect work is same to some extent to Taj Mahal; one of the Seven Wonders of the World and other great buildings build by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan at Agra.

You can find several hotels in Udaipur but still Lake Palace is best as here even in worst summer time cool heaven condition can be enjoyed. Earlier it was also known by name of Jan Niwas or Jag Niwas. Its value you can easily calculate even in today’s time by fact that this palace is widely used for shooting various movies. Great architect work is also a reason behind popularity of this hotel. Here you will find decoration with pink, green stones and also with amazing looking painted mirrors. The Pichola Lake surrounds this palace and making the hotel as one of the most widely highly praised beautiful hotel.

In total there are 83 rooms and more important fact to notice is that here each room is decorated with a different theme. Guests of this hotel are honored so nicely at royal bouquet rooms. Bars and restaurants are also there to make the guest feel more comfortable. If you also want to feel royal guest you can enjoy stay at this hotel.