An oviform island formed by two branches of the river Cauvery, Srirangapatna is located in the district of Mandya in the state of Karnataka. Situated in proximity to the city of Mysore, the entire town is circumvented by the river Cauvery. This beautiful town sprawls over an area of 13 sq km.
History of Srirangapatna
The history of this town dates back to the 9th century, when it was founded by the rulers of the Ganga dynasty. However, the destination came into the limelight during the reign of the Vijayanagara Empire. The rise of the Wodeyar kings marked the downfall of the Vijayanagara Empire.
During the reign of the Wodeyar kings, Raja Wodeyar vanquished Rangaraya in 1610, who was then the viceroy of Srirangapatna. To mark his victory, he celebrated a ten-day long festival, which was known as Navratri and was dedicated to the patron goddess of Mysore, Chamundeshwari. Thus, from 1610, the city remained under the head of Mysore.
After defeating the Wodeyar King, the reign of Srirangapatna was taken over by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. As a result, the destination for a short while served as the cosmopolitan capital of this powerful state. Moreover, the place is also known for the famous battle of Seringapatam, which was fought in 1799.
This battle marked the end of the rule of Tipu Sultan. During this battle, he fought against a joint troop of 50,000 men from the Nizam of Hyderabad and British armies. The British forces at the time of battle were led by General George Harris. In addition, this battle also marked the last engagement of the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War.
It was during this battle that Tipu Sultan was betrayed by one of his own comrades and was killed within the fort of Seringapatam. The spot where he fell ultimately is marked by a memorial. After the victory, the joint troops proceeded to plunder Seringapatam and also occupied the palace of Tipu Sultan. Most of the personal belongings of Tipu Sultan, which included gold, cash, clothes and shoes, were all shipped to England.
The beautiful town is one of the famous places in Karnataka owing to its cultural, religious and historic importance. According to the chronicles of history, it is believed that Lord Buddha visited and stayed on one of the islands located near Srirangapatna.
Things to do in Srirangapatna
The destination is famous for the ancient temple, Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is also one of the largest temples in the state of Karnataka. In addition, tourists can also make a visit to Daria Daulat, which houses the Palace of Tipu Sultan and the Mausoleum of Tipu Sultan. To explore the place better, tourists can also opt for Srirangapatna holiday packages.
Another popular attraction for tourists is Sangama, which is the amalgamation of three holy rivers namely, Cauvery, Kabini and Hemavati. Shivanasamudra Falls, which is located at a distance of 27 km upstream from the destination, also adds to the beauty of the town. It is the second biggest waterfall of the country and is known to be the sixteenth largest in the world.
Travelling to Srirangapatna
Srirangapatna is situated close to Mysore and hence is well connected by road, rail and air. The nearest domestic airport is at Mysore, about 15 km away and the nearest major airport is at Bangalore which also has international connections. Taxis are available from both the airports to Srirangapatna. It is also reachable by bus from Mysore and Bangalore. Different categories of bus services are provided by the KSRTC.
Srirangapatna has a railway station. Passenger trains as well as some express trains on the Chennai-Mysore route can be taken to reach Srirangapatna. However, the nearest major railhead is Mysore which is well connected to the rest of the country.
The best time to explore Srirangapatna is from September to March. The weather in the summer season is warm with temperatures going over 35⁰ Celsius at times. Winters on the other hand are mild and pleasant with the temperature varying from 15⁰ - 30⁰ Celsius. Srirangapatna can also be visited during festivals like Holi, Dusshera and Buddha Purnima which are celebrated with much fanfare here.
Accommodation options in Srirangapatna
Budget hotels, health resorts, guesthouses and lodges are some of the hotel options in Srirangapatna.
