Srirangapatna is a historic, religious, and cultural hub situated in Mandhya district of Karnataka, just about 13kms from Mysore. The entire town is enclosed like an island by the River Cauvery. It’s also best known in recent history as the capital of the Warrior-Kings Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan – The Tiger of Mysore. Here are few of the must see destinations in Srirangapatna.
Fort: This is the place from where Tipu charged at the British soldiers with his legendry sword. Within the Fort is a Mosque and the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple.
Ranganathaswamy Temple: The temple is believed to be dating back to the 9th century and is one of the most important Vaishnavite shrines in South India. It is built by the Gangas and later improved by the Hoysalaand Vijayanagar kings. The Paschima Vaahini section of the Kaveri at Srirangapattana is considered especially sacred and the pious come from far and wide to immerse the ashes of the departed and perform rituals to their ancestors in these waters.
Daria Daulat Bagh : This structure made of teak with ornate and beautiful frescos was Tipu’s summer palace and was built in 1784. It stands on a raised platform at a height of 1.5 metres. The Bagh is situated on the banks of Cauvery river and displays the paintings, engraving, arms that depict the valor and victories of Tipu Sultan.
Museum: It showcases paintings of G F Cherry with Tipu wearing a turban, a striped shirt, a necklace and belt adorned with precious stones with a sword attached painted in 1792. There are pencil sketches of the Tipus sons, minister of the Nizam, his son, Krishna Raja Wodeyar III his maternal uncle, Nandi Raja all drawn by Thomas Hickey, an English artist between 1799and 1801. The museum has an amazing collection of coins of various denominations of those times and medals made of bronze, silver and copper issued by the English to commemorate their victory over Tipu.
Gumbaz : It’s the Mausoleum of Tippu Sultan, and his father Hyder Ali and mother Fathima Begam. Built by Tipu Sultan between 1782-84, the Gumbaz, is an imposing structure in the midst of the Lalbagh garden, and stands on a high and wide platform with an open verandah of polished pillars all round. The Gumbaz has a well-shaped large dome, ivory inlaid doors, carved stone windows of fine workmanship and inscriptions and Tiger stripes cover the walls. Inside are the tombs of Haidar in the center, his wife and his son Tippu on either side. In the verandah and on the platform are the other tombs of Haidar’s family members.
Colonel Bailey’s Dungeon: Named after Colonel Bailey who died here in 1780 A.D., this dungeon was used to imprison British officers by Tipu Sultan. The dungeon measures 30.5 meters width 12.2 meters height and is built of brick and mortar. Prisoners were chained to stone slabs fixed on its walls.
Place of Martyrdom: The place where Tipu Sultan’s body was found.
How to reach Srirangapatna.
Distance: 13 km from Mysore.
Nearest Railway Station : Srirangapatna
Nearest Airport : Mysore Airport .
Best time to visit: September to March
