From ancient temples to historical sites, misty peaks to steaming jungles, there are many destinations near Mysore that offer great experiences for those bitten by the travel bug. Here are some of the top recommendations.
Bandipur National Park
Elephants at Bandipur National Park
Located at the feet of the Western Ghats, The National Park is part of a much larger wilderness area and one of the most important tiger habitats in Southern India. There are many lodges in the national park and being just 74 kms away from Mysore, it provides a convenient wilderness getaway. Read More…
B R Hills
BR Hills – view from Krishnayyana Katte reservoir. Photographer Prashanth NS
Another favoured scenic spot near Mysore, the Biligirirangana Hills feature rugged terrain and dense forests. One of the landmarks in this area is the Ranganatha temple, situated on the edge of a cliff. The BR Hills act as a bridge where the Western and Eastern Ghats meet and provides habitat for tigers and elephants amongst other species.Read More…
Brindavan Gardens
Spreading over 60 acres, the Brindavan Gardens are a refreshing green space near Srirangapatna, adorned with multiple greenhouses, musical fountains, and gazebos. The 3-terraced gardens also feature unique topiary works, plant sculptures. The adjacent Krishnarajasagara dam is another attraction for visitors of the Brindavan Gardens. Read More…
Bylakuppe
Bylakuppe. Image courtesy Sahyadri H S
Bylakuppe is the Little Tibet of South India, a charming town in the lower foothills near Coorg and 80 kms away from Mysore. It is a great place to interact with the Tibetan diaspora and learn more about their unique culture, while also sampling their cuisine. The Namdroling Monastery is one of the few in this area, examples of elegant Oriental architecture. Read More…
Chamundi Hills
One of the most popular tourist attractions near Mysore is the Chamundeshwari Temple, located on top of the Chamundi Hills. Mysore residents love visiting the hills to cool off in its winding roads. At the summit one can enjoy views of the sprawling city below, including views of the Palace and the Karanji Lake. Read More…
Channapatna
Chanapatna Wooden Toys. Image courtesy Pratheep P S
Channapatna is home to a unique form of wooden toy making. Apart from these endearing wooden toys, the town is also known for its lacquerware. 84 kms away from Mysore, this quaint town is a great place for those interested in crafts and local culture. Read More…
Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta
The Gopalaswamy hills are located in the core of Bandipur National Park, 75 kms from Mysore. The summit is the highest point of the National Park, providing mesmerizing views of the surrounding forests and valleys. The Gopalaswamy temple is one of the attractions of the area, which is also frequented by elephants and other wildlife.Read More…
Kokarebellur
Bird lovers will love Kokarebellur, a village which takes its name from the painted storks that inhabit the place. Other avian species found here include the spot billed pelican, black ibis and more. This village, 72 kms from Mysore, is known for the special bond that the human inhabitants share with the wild birds. Read More…
Melukote
Yoga Narasimha Temple, Melukote. Image courtesy: Philanthropist 1
The hill-top Yoga Narasimha Temple, in and around Mysore, cannot be missed when you visit Melukote, one of Karnataka’s most spiritual sites, located 60 kms from Mysore. Adjacent to the picturesque temple town, a wildlife sanctuary provides habitat to leopards, wolves and the multiple species of birds attract ornithologists from all over. Read More…
Nagarhole National Park
Image courtesy: Jayanand Govindaraj
Straddling Coorg and Mysore district, Nagarhole is a wilderness area around the Kabini River that is home to flagship species like tigers, elephants, leopards and more. Wildlife enthusiasts and nature photographers flock to Nagarhole to soak in the pristine ambiance and serenity of the park. The park is a must visit around Mysore.Read More…
Nanjangud
Nanjangud Shiva Statue. Image courtesy Prof tpms
Located on the banks of the Kapila River around 23 kms from Mysore, the town of Nanjangud is famous for the Srikanteswara temple featuring many eloquent examples of South Indian temple architecture. The town is also famous for the Nanjangudu rasabale, a variety of banana grown here.Read More…
Nimishambha
Nimishambha Temple.Image courtesy Sudeepi
Located on the banks of the Kaveri, near Mysore, Nimishambha is a temple dedicated to Goddess Parvathi. The temple’s main feature is a seven tiered gopuram and its scenic riverside location makes it a popular stop on the Mysore-Bangalore transit. Read More…
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
Karnataka’s largest bird sanctuary, the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary also features half a dozen river islets on the meandering waters of the Kaveri. More than 40,000 birds converge at the sanctuary during the winter months. Some of the species found here include egrets, stork-billed kingfishers, lesser whistling duck and Indian shags. The sanctuary is also home to a large freshwater crocodile population. If you are planning to visit places in and around Mysore, be sure to include the sanctuary to your list.Read More…
Shivasamudram Falls
The riverine landscape around the Kaveri is the scene of much natural beauty and the Shivasamudram Falls is a prime example. Located 74 east of Mysore, the 900 meter wide segmented waterfalls gush down with thick verdant forests in the backdrop. Attractions in Shivanasamudra include the Sri Someshwara Temple, one of the oldest in the area. Read More…
Somnathpur
Keshava Temple, Somanathapura. Photographer Purshi
The 13th century Chennakesava Temple is the main attraction at Somnathpur. It is a prime example of temple architecture during the reign of the Hoysalas. Some of the hallmarks of the extremely well-preserved trikutachala (three-celled) temple include the intricate relief sculpture, the pillared porch and the expansive courtyard.Read More…
Srirangapatna
Daria Daulat Bagh, Srirangapatna. Image courtesy Faiz Mustafa
The Tipu Sultan Gumbaz, the resplendent Daria Daulat Bagh and the riverside Sri Ranganathaswamy temple are just some of the many landmarks of Srirangapatna, a site whose bloody and glorious history reverberates to this day. This river island town is 15 kms away from Mysore, part of a larger royal corridor.Read More…
Talakad
Vaidyeshvara Temple (1000 AD) at Talakad. Image courtesy Dinesh Kannambadi
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A town of temples buried under the sand, Talakad is a quirky and historically rich stop in the Mysore area. A curse is believed to have enveloped this once thriving town, subjecting it to be lost in the pages of history. Remnants of glorious architecture can be seen at the site of the Vaidyeshvara temple. Talakad is 50 kms east of Mysore. Read More…
Tirumakudalu Narasipura
Ganapathy Temple in T.Narasipura. Image courtesy Prof tpms
Tirumakudalu Narasipura, commonly known as TN Pura has been mentioned in ancient Vedic texts as a place of spiritual significance. The Gunja Narasimha Swamy is the most famous landmark here, a sprawling complex which was built in the times of the Vijaynagar dynasties. 36 kms east of Mysore, TN Pura is home to many other temples spanning the glorious ages of South Indian architecture. Read More…
Abbur
A tiny village on the banks of the river Kanwa, Abbur is known as a spiritual destination, having been home to many Vaishnava prophets. The Varadaraja Temple is said to be a millennia old, with an interesting origin story. Ramanagram and Channapatna are places to be visited around Abbur. Read More…
Bhoo Varahaswamy Temple
Bhoo Varahaswamy Temple, Mysore. Image courtesy templesofkarnataka
Around 50 kms from Mysore, the Bhoo Varahaswamy Temple is said to be around 2500 years old. Dedicated to a reincarnation of Lord Vishnu, the shrine sits on the banks of the river Hemavati, which is known for its strong currents. Read More…
Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary
Located around 120 kms from Mysore, the Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary in Coorg derives its name from the 1600 metre Brahmagiri peak. The Sanctuary is a great place to experience the wilderness of the Western Ghats and the misty forests are home to tigers, gaurs, wild dogs and many other species.Read More…
Mysore city enjoys a central location, close to many destinations for day trips and weekend getaways. The rich heritage of the region and the immense natural wealth is displayed in these places mentioned above. There are still more places which can be experienced if you are in Mysore. Step out and discover the beauty of this part of Karnataka.
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