Srirangapattanam:
The island fortress of the legendary warrior king
Tipu Sultan is just 16km from Mysore city. Inside
the fortress is Tipu's mosque with its twin minarets,
the celebrated Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Tipu's Summer
Palace, the Wellesley Bridge, and the dungeons where
British officers were once imprisoned. Equally impressive
is the ornate white-domed Gumbaz, an imposing structure
with doors of ebony inlaid with ivory and lacquered
with Tipu's tiger-striped emblem. About 1km to the
east of the fort is Tipu's Summer Palace (known
as the Daria Daulat Bagh) set amidst a lovely garden.
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Shivansamudra
falls:
Discover nature's handiwork in the form of this tiny
island-town 65km east of Mysore. Forested hills and
lush green valleys cradle a small hamlet and two fine
temples. Together, they provide a startlingly calm
setting for the Cauvery river as it plummets from
a height of 75m into a deep, rocky gorge with a deafening
roar to form two picturesque falls, Barachukki and
Gaganachukki. When the Cauvery is in spate, watching
the river crash into a cloud of foaming spray can
be an exhilarating experience. Downstream from the
falls is Asia's first hydroelectric project, established
at the behest of Sir M. Visvesvaraya in 1902. |
Melkote:
Melkote is an important religious centre. The Cheluvarayaswami
Temple, built in the 12th century, enjoyed the patronage
of the Mysore Maharajas as well as Tipu Sultan. The temple
gopuram is rose-coloured and has lions' heads facing north,
south, east and west. The cloister-area pillars display
ornate carvings. The Vairamudi festival is held here between
March and April, when the temple deity is adorned with
jewels belonging to the former Maharajas of Mysore.
Ranganathittu Bird sanctuary:
Just outside Srirangapatna, near Mysore, the Cauvery river
meanders around a string of tiny islets, which together
form a splendid nesting site for waterfowl. Experience
the excitement of a boat ride that takes you within touching
distance of the birds as marsh crocodiles bask in the
sun. Delight in watching the winged visitors making happy
forays into the water. You could also test your powers
of observation by trying to spot flying foxes hanging
on the highest branches of the tallest trees at dusk.
Somnathpur
Situated in the unobtrusive village of Somnathpur, 35km
from Mysore, the exquisitely carved, star-shaped temple
with triple towers is a perfect example of Hoysala architecture.
The friezes on its outer walls with their intricately
carved rows of caparisoned elephants, charging horsemen,
and mythological birds and beasts will leave you spellbound.
Beautifully sculpted images of gods, goddesses, and scenes
from the epics, as well as the remarkably ornate ceilings
in the pillared hall will take your breath away. |
| One of the largest Tibetan
settlements in South India, it is known for its monasteries,
handicrafts, carpet factories, and an incense factory. The
landscape is dotted with several monasteries; the main ones
amongst these are the Great Gompa of Sera Je and Sera Mey.
The Mahayana Buddhist University is located at Sera. It
also has an enormous prayer hall. The other important monastery
in the neighbouring settlement of Bylekuppe is Tashi Lhumpo
monastery, renowned as the seat of Panchen Lama. |
