About Srirangapattana
I visit Srirangapattana when I go to Mysore from Bengaluru. The town of Srirangapattana, which derives its name from the Sri Ranganatha swamy temple. This town in the Mandya district of the Indian state of Karnataka. It is located near the city of Mysore (19 km) and is of great religious, cultural and historic importance.

Sri Ranganthaswamy temple is a temple dedicated to the Hindu God Ranganatha, a manifestation of Vishnu and is one of the Pancharanga Kshetrams.

The temple is one of a set of three major temples that are built on three different islands on the Kaveri and are dedicated to lord Ranganatha. Lord Ranganatha (Vishnu) has been dedicated at three pilgrimages. Those are …

Adi Ranga at Srirangapattana
Madhya Ranga at Shivanasamudra
Antya Ranga at Srirangam


The Ranganathaswamy temple is one of the most important Vaishnavite shrines in South India. It is built by the Gangas in 9th century, later improved by the Hoysala and Vijayanagar kings.

History behind Srirangapattana
Srirangapattana has since time immemorial been an urban center and place of pilgrimage During the Vijayanagar empire, it became the seat of a major viceroyalty, from where several nearby vassal states of the empire, such as Mysore and Talakad, were overseen. When, perceiving the decline of the Vijayanagar Empire, the rulers of Mysore ventured to assert independence, Srirangapattana was their first target. Raja Wodeyar vanquished Rangaraya, the then viceroy of Srirangapattana, in 1610 and celebrated the Navaratri festival in the town that year.

Srirangapattana remained part of the Kingdom of Mysore from 1610 to after India's independence in 1947; as the fortress closest to the capital city of Mysore, it was the last bastion and defense of the kingdom in case of invasion.
Tipu Sultan's Palace

Srirangapattana became the de facto capital of Mysore under Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. When Tipu finally dispensed with the charade of deference to the legitimate Wodeyar Maharaja who was actually his captive, and proclaimed the ”Khudadad State” under his own kingship, Srirangapattana became de jure the capital of that short lived political entity. In that heady period, the state ruled by Tipu extended its frontiers in every direction, encompassing a major portion of South India. Srirangapattana flourished as the cosmopolitan capital of this powerful state. Various Indo Islamic monuments that dot the town, such as Tipu Sultan's palaces, the Darya Daulat and the Jumma Mosque.

Srirangapattana was the scene of the last and decisive battle fought between Tipu Sultan and the British forces led by General Harris. This battle was the last engagement of the Fourth Anglo Mysore war. The Battle of Seringapatam, 1799, was truly momentous in its historic effects.

Tipu Sultan was killed within the fort of Srirangapattana, betrayed infamously by one of his own confidants; the spot where he ultimately fell is marked by a memorial. For the last time in history, Srirangapattana had been the scene of political change in the Kingdom of Mysore. Having secured the victory, the British proceeded to plunder Srirangapattana and ransack Tipu's palace. Apart from the usual gold and cash, innumerable valuables and objects d'art, not excepting even the personal effects of Tipu Sultan, his rich clothes and shoes, sword and firearms, were shipped to England.

While most of this is now to be found in the British Royal Collection and in the Victoria and Albert Museum, some articles have occasionally become available at auctions and have been retrieved for their native land. The sword of Tipu Sultan has been acquired by Vijay Mallya, a liquor baron from Karnataka, who purchased the same at a Sotheby's auction.


Water gate
Places to see

The town is famous for a very ancient temple dedicated to Sri Ranganathaswamy, a form of Lord Vishnu.
Before entering into Temple, right side there is one more temple of Lakshmi Narasimha. It is very good temple with statues of all Krishna avathars.
Other attractions include the Jumma Masjid (a Mosque) and the Daria Daulat Gardens.
On the way to temple, you can find Tipu Sultan's body found place and government made it as memorial place for Tipu Sultan and it is under Archeological Survey of India.
Srirangapatna Fort: Today, the fort may be in ruins but it has a great story to narrate. On May 4 1799 AD, East India Company troops under the command of Colonel Wellesley stormed into the town by breaching the fort. Till then, Mysore army under the leadership of Tiger of Mysore had held English soldiers at bay. Tipu was betrayed by his own commander, Mir Sadiq, who withdrew the army and spread water in the basement where ammunition was stored rendering them ineffective and useless. In spite of an impeding defeat, Tipu did not give in and was engaged hand-to-hand combat with the British soldiers. Soon he was mortally wounded and died at the battlefield at Watergate. His death ended the fourth Anglo – Mysore war and last of the resistance to colonial rule. Today, within the fort is a small memorial stone that declares Tipu, the Tiger of Mysore met his death fighting British soldiers on that fateful day. Even English soldiers were so impressed with the valor of Tipu Sultan that Col Wellesley, erected a plaque at the spot where Tipu’s body was found.
Don’t forget to visit the Cauvery River while going to temple.


Places near to Srirangapattana

Near Srirangapattana is the Rangantittu Bird Sanctuary, which is the breeding site for several bird species, including the Painted Stork, Open-billed Stork, Black-headed Ibis, River Tern, Great Stone Plover and Indian Shag.
The Karighatta (Black Hill) and its temple of Lord Srinivasa are situated a few kilometers from the town. The deity is that of Kari-giri-vasa (one who resides on the black hill). The famous Nimishambha temple is located in the near by district of Ganjam.The summer palace of Tipu Sultan is also a very interesting place.
Located 27 km upstream from the town is the spectacular Shivanasamudra Falls, the second biggest waterfall in India and the sixteenth largest in the world.


How to reach
By Road & Rail:

Srirangapattana is well connected to Bengaluru and Mysore. You can easily accessible by train or road from Bangalore and Mysore.

By Air:

The nearest airport is Devanahalli, Bengaluru.

My experience

I plan to visit Mysore from Bengaluru (Banglore). So I took tickets from Janata travels in BTM, Bengaluru. It is a one day tour package. I started with my friend Ram Manohar on 26th September 2009 at morning 7: OO AM and return to Bengaluru at 12:30 AM. On the way to Mysore, we take halt at Srirangapattana before going to Mysore.
It is good great religious and historic place with Lord Ranaganatha swamy and Tipu.
Various Indo-Islamic monuments that dot the town, such as Tipu Sultan’s palaces, the Darya Daulat and the Jumma Maseedi or Jama Masjid (Friday congregational mosque), date from this period.
It’s very nice town and one should visit. I miss some of places near to Srirangapattana, and I hope I’ll cover soon.