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Mandya, located around 45 kilometers from Mysuru is a sweet spot, quite literally to explore. An agriculturally prosperous district in Karnataka, the jaggery and sugar industries contribute a major chunk to the local economy and hence Mandya is also known as “Sakkare Nagara” (City of Sugar). Mandya is always on the tourist itinerary of most people visiting Mysuru due to their proximity to each other. A trip to Mysuru is most often accompanied by a visit to KRS Dam and Brindavan Gardens in Mandya, both of which are popular tourist attractions. The Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, the river island of Srirangapatna, temple town of Melukote that overlooks the Cauvery valley, Kokrebellur Pelicanry and Shivanasamudra falls are all situated in Mandya. While visiting the town make sure you grab some Maddur Vada, a famous delicacy which is best enjoyed with a hot cup of filter coffee.
In terms of accommodation in the town, the Mayura River View Srirangapatna and Mayura Kauvery KRS are your best bets. A staycation at Mayura River View Srirangapatna, located on the banks of the Cauvery river, is sure to be a memorable one. With beautiful river-facing cottages and cozy comfortable rooms to choose from, and a multi-cuisine restaurant and bar, guests can truly relax and rejuvenate as they return from their sightseeing trips. Coracle rides and boating in the river can also be organized if you are in the mood for some adventure.
Mayura Kauvery KRS, located next to Brindavan Gardens, gives you ample time to saunter amidst the symphony of manicured lawns, brilliant flower-beds and exquisite topiary at the famed gardens. The hotel offers an unobstructed view of the colourful gardens and provides an ideal opportunity to experience its charm at different times of the day. The hotel has air-conditioned rooms and a restaurant with a bar.
KSTDC can also design a customized package tour of Mandya and Mysore for you if you’re interested. You can either enquire at the front desk at these hotels or fill the details in the link below to arrange for an exclusive tour package.
For reservations/ enquiries, please log on to www.kstdc.co or call Mob: 8970650070/75 Tel: +91 80 4334 4334
An inscription reveals that the temple of Sri Ranganatha was built by a Ganga chieftain by the name Thirumalaiah in 984 AD. It features both Hoysala and Vijayanagara styles of architecture. The main deity here, Lord Vishnu (in form of Ranganatha) is seen reclining on the coils of Adisesha (the thousand headed divine Serpent who is also the King of Snakes) whose widespread seven hoods form a canopy for the Lord. Lord Vishnu is flanked by Goddess Sridevi, Goddess Bhudevi and Lord Brahma at his nabi (naval). At his foot is seated Goddess Lakshmi identified as Kaveri. There are many sub-shrines within the complex dedicated to Narasimha, Gopalakrishna, Srinivasa, Hanuman, Garuda, Ranganayaki, Sudersana Chakra and Alwars.
The engineers and planners of the erstwhile Mysuru state had envisioned this dam, with many objectives in mind like providing drinking water to Mysuru/ adjacent places, to aid the hydro-electric power station at Shivanasamudra and to ensure a continuous supply of water for irrigation purposes. The dam is 8600 feet in length and 130 feet in height.
Spread across an area of 60 acres, Brindavan Gardens is at the bottom of the Krishnaraja Sagara Dam (KRS), across the river Cauvery. Modelled on the Shalimar Gardens of Kashmir, the Brindavan Gardens, an endless expanse of green, dotted with colourful blooms, symmetrically designed well manicured terraced gardens are world famous for its ethereal beauty and grandeur.. The highlight however is the famed musical fountains which is a water ballet of sorts, with lights and music and comes to life in the evenings.
Srirangapatna, the capital of the Kingdom of Mysuru in the past, is a town that has Tipu Sultan’s mark indelibly stamped on it. This island fortress, from which Tipu waged war against the British, is also home to his summer palace, which is now a museum. The other attractions here are the Jama Masjid, dungeons, a gunpowder room and the Gumbaz where Tipu and his father Hyder Ali are buried.
Declared a sanctuary in 1940 at the behest of the famed ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali, the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is a paradise for bird watchers and nature lovers. Spread across a small area of 0.67 sq km, on the banks of the Cauvery river, this bird paradise is the preferred nesting ground for resident birds as well as migratory species from Europe, Americas and Siberia. Take a boating trip on the river to get a fascinating view of the various species of birds, and to catch a glimpse of the marsh crocodiles in the water at this avian haven.
The seat of the Swami of the Vokkaliga community – Sri Adichunchanagiri Mahasamsthana Math, this small town is a noted center of Bhairava worship. Lord Gangadhareshwara is the presiding deity here along with four other avatars (incarnations) of Lord Shiva namely Lord Malleshwara, Lord Kattale Someshwara, Lord Gavi Siddeshwara & Lord Chandramouleshwara. This temple complex also comprises other deities like Lord Ganapathi, Goddess Sthambhambika Devi, Lord Subramaneshwara, Goddess Mallamma Devi among others. A new Kalabhairaveshwara Temple is built here at Sri Kshetra Adichunchanagiri. The temple has a width of 18-feet and is 21-feet high. It consists of 128 pillars with well sculpted panels depicting different deities and their divine vehicles.
Located adjacent to the famous pilgrim centre of Adichunchanagiri, the sanctuary is located in Nagamangala Taluk and has an area of around 88.4 hectares. The sanctuary has a healthy population of peacocks mainly due to the excellent protection accorded by the disciples at Adichunchanagiri Mahasamsthana Math. It is also estimated that the sanctuary has around 99 species of birds, 32 species of butterflies, and several species of reptiles and amphibians.
Situated about 14 km from Krishnarajpet taluk, this temple is a fine specimen of Hoysala architecture. It is believed to be constructed in 1171 AD. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and has an intricately carved Nandi statue at its entrance.
Melkote is a scenic hill town and an important pilgrim centre in Karnataka. The crowning jewel of Melkote is the Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple, with a collection of crowns and jewels which are brought to the temple for the annual festival. Legend has it that Ramanuja, the Vaishnavite saint, recovered the lost idol of the main deity and installed it here. The main attraction here is the annual Vairamudi Brahmotsavam festival when the deity is adorned with the magnificent diamond studded crown offered by former Maharajas of Mysuru and taken out accompanied by a procession. There are many other temples here including seven Anjaneya temples, four Garuda temples, a Pancha Bhagavata temple, Venkataramana temple as well as the new Venkateshwara temple.
The sleepy town of Melkote comes alive during the annual Vairamudi Brahmotsavam, when the deity of the hill shrine, Lord Vishnu is adorned with the legendary diamond-studded crown embedded with precious gems. Legend has it that the crown was brought by Garuda (Lord Vishnu’s vehicle) and adorned on the festive image of the beautiful deity Cheluvanarayana, flanked by Sridevi and Bhudevi. This night long event, which is part of the 10- day Vairamudi Brahmotsavam festival is witnessed by thousands of devotees.
The combination of forested hills and lush green valleys form the perfect setting for the roaring waters of Cauvery to plunge 75m into a gorge at Shivanasamudra. The island of Shivanasamudra has two beautiful falls formed by the Cauvery river. Explore this region in the monsoon season to witness the Cauvery river cascading down as two picturesque waterfalls, popularly known as Barachukki and Gaganachukki. The western branch of the river forms the Gaganachukki Falls which is located in Malavalli taluk which falls in Mandya district. The Barachukki Falls is on the eastern branch of the river which is located in Kollegal taluk in Chamarajanagar district. Shivanasamudra also has India’s first hydroelectric plant which was set up in 1902, to supply power to Kolar Gold Fields.
During November – December, a quiet village in Mandya comes alive with the arrival of spot-billed pelicans and painted storks. Every year, bird watchers and nature enthusiasts from around the world make a beeline to this tiny hamlet to witness the spectacle. Apart from the pelicans, the other birds found nesting and breeding in the village trees are cormorant, black ibis, grey heron, black-crowned night heron and Indian pond heron. Moreover, the village farmers thrive on the bird’s droppings, which are rich in potassium and used as manure for their cultivation. It is heartwarming to observe the birds living in harmony with the villagers.
A monument to mark the freedom struggle at Maddur located on Bangalore – Mysore Highway. It was built to commemorate the Shivapura Flag Satyagraha of 1938.
Bheemeshwari Nature and Adventure Camp is a unit of the state-run Jungle Lodges & Resorts. Which offers a range of adventurous activities from zip line, rope walking and kayaking. The best time to visit is just after the monsoons, between August and February, when the Cauvery river is in full flow and the forest is thick and verdant.
Karighatta is situated around 5 km from Srirangapatna and is located on the bank of the Lokapavani river. The place is a delight to nature lovers and a significant spot for Hindu devotees because of the Venkataramanaswamy Temple, built during the reign of Mysore Kings (Raja Odeya) . The top of the hill can be accessed through a steep curved road on a vehicle or by foot. This temple complex has shrines of Venkataramana, Lakshmi and Rama-Lakshmana-Sita.
Pandavapura is situated 28 km west of Mandya. This was a camp for the French army during the reign of Hyder and Tipu. Hence, it is also called ‘French Rocks’. Pandavapura is associated with events related to the Mahabharata. It is believed that the Pandavas during their stay in the forest, after escaping from the wax palace, camped on a hill here called ‘Kunti Betta’ (Kunti’s Hill). Therefore, it is also referred as ‘Pandavapura’. The Kunti Betta is not a single hill but a chain of many peaks spread over an area of several miles. The peaks are locally named Kunti Betta, Bheemana Betta (Onake Betta), Bakasura Betta as these peaks attach themselves with the legends of Kunti, Bheema and Bakasura.