Srirangapatna

Srirangapatna is a small island town situated at about 15 km from Mysore, Karnataka. The island is formed over River Cauvery, as it forks at the beginning of the town, flows in two different paths (North and South Cauvery), and eventually joins after 8 km (at Triveni Sangam). Srirangapatna is popular because of cultural, religious and historic importance. The history of Srirangapatna dates back many centuries. The town was originally founded by the rulers of Ganga dynasty in 9th century. Later, Srirangapatna became an important town during the rule of Vijayanagara Empire. The downfall of Vijayanagara Empire to Wodeyar kings led to Srirangapatna be the capital of Mysore Kingdom. Hyder Ali, then defeated Wodeyar king, and made Srirangapatna as his capital. Hyder Ali was then succeeded by his son Tipu Sultan who ruled from this town. Tipu Sultan was killed in 1799 in the battle of Srirangapatna inside his own fort by the combined forces of British and Nizam of Hyderabad. After Tipu Sultan’s death, Mysore Kingdom was succeeded by Wodeyar Kings.

Railway Bridge, Srirangapatna, Karnataka, India

Beautiful Railway Bridge to enter Srirangapatna

Srirangapatna has several structures from the Tipu Sultan era that still stands tall, and forms major landmarks in the town. Some of the famous structures are listed below.

Dariya Daulat Bagh

Dariya Daulat Bagh is a beautiful garden on the banks of River Cauvery (North). Amidst this garden is the summer palace of Tipu Sultan (Dariya Daulat Palace). The palace is rectangular in shape, and is built on a raised platform. It has an outer open corridor and is supported by teak pillars. The palace is now converted into a museum, which depicts various paintings, drawings, sketches and preserved items from Tipu Sultan period. The walls of the corridors has several works of art, depicting the war of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, some paintings of durbar halls of Tipu Sultan and other kings from Chittor, Tanjore, Peshwa and others. Photography is not allowed inside the museum.

Dariya Daulat Bagh, Srirangapatna, Karnataka, India

Main entrance to Dariya Daulat Bagh

Dariya Daulat Bagh. Srirangapatna, Karnataka, India

Dariya Daulat Bagh

The museum also lists all the places and hills that have been captured by Tipu Sultan in and around the region. Several forts were built on top of the hills in the surrounding regions, that are now famous trekking/hiking spots. If you are looking to get a good list of places for trekking, you can compile them when you are in the museum 🙂

Dariya Daulat Bagh, Srirangapatna, Karnataka, India

Dariya Daulat Palace

Srirangapatna, Karnataka, India

View from the front corridor

Gumbaz

Gumbaz is a tomb and mosque that is just 3 km from Dariya Daulat Bagh. This tomb and mosque was built by Tipu Sultan as a tribute to his father, Hyder Ali. The structure lies amidst beautiful garden, and is built on a stone base, with granite pillars running along the corridor, and a dome to cover the structure. It hosts the cenotaphs of Tipu Sultan and his parents. There are also several other unmarked cenotaphs in the garden outside the structure which is believed to be of Tipu’s relatives. Adjacent to the Gumbaz is a beautiful mosque Masjid-E-Aksa which was built by Tipu Sultan.

Gumbaz, Srirangapatna, Karnataka, India

Gumbaz

Gumbaz, Srirangapatna, Karnataka, India

Closer Look

Colonel Bailey’s Dungeon

This is a dungeon that was used by Tipu Sultan to imprison the British. The dungeon is named after Colonel Bailey who also happened to be a prisoner. It is named after him as he was the only prisoner who could not bear the tough conditions of the dungeon, and died at this spot. The dungeon is around 30m X 12m structure with pillars supporting the ceiling. The front side of the dungeon is open, and the remaining three sides has stone slabs at frequent distance. Prisoners had their hands chained to the stone slabs which prevents them from moving/escaping.

Colonel Bailey's Dungeon, Srirangapatna, Karnataka, India

Colonel Bailey’s Dungeon

Colonel Bailey's Dungeon, Srirangapatna, Karnataka, India

Front side of the dungeon

Colonel Bailey's Dungeon, Srirangapatna, Karnataka, India

Inside the dungeon. The stone slabs on the right side where prisoners hands were chained.

Apart from the prisoners being chained, the dungeon was also filled with water, levels that reached chest height of the prisoners. There is a small outlet for the water to let excess water flow out. The water flow at this outlet was controlled so that the level inside the dungeon was always at the height of a prisoner’s chest!

Colonel Bailey's Dungeon, Srirangapatna, Karnataka, India

Water outlet

Tipu’s Death Place

In the Battle of Srirangapatna in 1799, Tipu Sultan was killed inside the fort by the combined armies of Nizam of Hyderabad and the British. A stone memorial is now built at this place, and is fenced.

Tipu Sultan Death Place, Srirangapatna, Karnataka, India

 

Tipu Sultan Death Place, Srirangapatna, Karnataka, India

Triveni Sangam

Triveni Sangam is the place where the two forks of River Cauvery joins. River Lokapavani also joins the River Cauvery here. This is a popular picnic spot and is a beautiful and serene place. You can also take coracle rides on River Cauvery at this place.

Triveni Sangam, Srirangapatna, Karnataka, India

At Triveni Sangam

Karighatta View Point

Karighatta is a small hill located just outside the island town of Srirangapatna. The hill is at a height of 3000 ft and gives a birds’ eye view of Srirangapatna. A small river called Lokapavani flows next to the hill, and joins River Cauvery near Triveni Sangam. The view of the confluence of these rivers during monsoon from the top of this hill is a spectacular sight.

On top of the hill, there is a temple dedicated to Vaikunta Srinivasa (Lord Vishnu). You can either climb up 450+ steps to reach the top, or you can drive through the 3 km dwindling road to the top.

Karighatta, Srirangapatna, Karnataka, India

View from Karighatta

Other Places In Srirangapatna

Srirangapatna Fort

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple

Wellesley Bridge

Garrison Cemetry

Obelisk

Hanging Bridge

Bailey’s Tomb

Gosai Ghat

Pashchima Vahini

Nimishamba Temple

How to plan a visit?

Srirangapatna can be visited as a day trip from Bangalore. There are various historic landmarks at Srirangapatna that can keep you occupied throughout the day. Srirangapatna also has several places where you can sit by the riverside and enjoy the cool breeze. If you are planning to visit Srirangapatna over a weekend (from Bangalore) then you can also plan to visit Kokkare Bellur, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, and Brundavan Gardens.

Location

Where to stay?

  • Mysore / Mysuru
  • Bangalore

Distance Chart

From Distance (in km)
Mysore 20
Bangalore 130
Mangalore 165
Coimbatore 220