Mandya District of Karnataka is famous for sugarcane. Eventhough this District is renowned for its ruggedness, the region has its own charm. The tourist places like Krishnaraja Sagara, Shivagange, and Melukote enhance the beauty of the District. Among these places Srirangapattana is the most sought-after.
Srirangapattana has been confluence of trade and culture from the days of the Vijaynagar Empire. Its most famous legacy though is the bastion of two great Deccan kings, Hyder Ali and his son, Tipu Sultan. Under Tipu Sultan, the Mysore kingdom reached the heights of its power and expanded aggressively across South India. A visit to present day Srirangapattana, which was the capital of this kingdom, will take visitors back in time to this glorious and bygone age. This town is formed like an island due to River Cauvery.
If we think of of Srirangapattana, the first thing that comes to our mind is Ranganath Swamy Temple. The temple has a navaranga mandapam which surrounds the sanctum sanctorum. The principal deity is Sri Ranganatha in the sleeping posture on Adi Shesha, the serpent God with seven heads. Goddess Lakshmi is near Lord Ranganatha’s foot. Goddess Ranganayaki is the principal Goddess of this beautiful temple.
The temple has four strong pillars with 24 beautifully sculpted Vishnu forms. It is an exclusive Hoysala style of architecture. It is said that the Hoysalas appreciated art and art forms and encouraged the artisans. The intricate work of the artisans is clearly reflected in the architecture of the temple. The entire prakaaram of the temple is beautifully painted with mythological stories.
The credit of building the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple goes to the rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire. Later, the Hoysala kings and Hyder Ali made additional expansions to the temple. Other shrines within the temple complex are those of Lord Srinivasa, Sri Krishna, Vaishnava Acharya and Vaishnavite Gurus. This idol is supposed to be the biggest statue of Vishnu in the reclining form.
As per mythological studies, River Cauvery on her way forms three big islands. These islands are Shivanasamudra, Srirangapattana and Srirangam. It is believed that devotees who visit these three temples, all in one day will surely attain salvation.
Another temple in this town is Nimishamba Temple, which is dedicated to a re-incarnated avatar of Parvathi, the wife of Lord Shiva. The temple sits on the bank of the River Lokapavani. the Srirangapattana Fort stands to this day as a poignant monument that marks the event when one of Karnataka’s greatest warriors fell to the British forces. Besides the obelisk in honour of the fallen, other landmarks in the fort include the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple and a mosque. The fort’s dungeon where British officers were held is another attraction. The dungeon is referred to as Colonel Bailey’s dungeon.
Nestled in beautifully landscaped gardens, the summer palace of Tipu Sultan or Daria Daulat Bagh is an example of the medieval architecture and opulence of the old Mysore Empire. Built in 1784, the Indo-Sarcenic structures feature a lot of teak furnishings. An imposing structure with intricate carvings and a large central dome, the mausoleum of Tipu Sultan also houses the remains of his father Hyder Ali and his mother Fathima Begam. Sitting in the midst of a garden, the Gumbaz, as it is called, has an open verandah with polished pillars.
Krishnaraj Sagar, Ranganathittu, Shivanasamudra, Talakadu, Mysuru, Nanjangudu, and Manjirabad Fort are the places nearby which one can visit during Srinrangapattana trip. Srirangapattana can be visited throughout the year.
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons
