Srirangapatna - Seringapatam

Srirangapatna (also spelt Srirangapatna ; anglicized to Seringapatam during the British Raj ) is a town in the Mandya district of the Indian state of Karnataka . It is located near the city of Mysore and is of great religious, cultural and historic importance.

Location

Although situated a mere 13 km from Mysore city, Srirangapattana lies in the neighbouring district of Mandya . The entire town is enclosed by the river Kaveri to form an island , northern half of which is shown in the image to the right. While the main river flows on the eastern side of the island, the Paschima Vaahini segment of the same river flows to its west. The town is easily accessible by train from Bangalore and Mysore and is also well-connected by road, hellooo lying as it does just off the Bangalore-Mysore highway. The highway passes through this town and special care was taken to minimize any impact on the monuments here.

Religious significance

The town takes its name from the celebrated Ranganathaswamy temple which dominates the town, making Srirangapattana one of the most important Vaishnavite centers of pilgrimage in south India . The temple was built by the Ganga dynasty rulers of the area in the 9th century ; the structure was strengthened and improved upon architecturally some three centuries later. Thus, the temple is a medley of the Hoysala and Vijayanagar styles of temple architecture .

Tradition holds that all the islands formed in the Kaveri River are consecrated to Sri Ranganathaswamy, and large temples have been built in very ancient times dedicated to that deity on the three largest islands. These three towns, which constitute the main pilgrimage centers dedicated to Ranganathaswamy, are:

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

The presence of the Kaveri River is in itself considered auspicious and sanctifying. The Paschima Vaahini section of the Kaveri at Srirangapattana is considered especially sacred; the pious come from far and wide to immerse the ashes of the departed and perform obsequies to their ancestors in these waters.

History

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. It came to be accepted in time that two things demonstrated control and signified sovereignty over the Kingdom of Mysore by any claimant to the throne:

Successful holding of the 10-day-long Navaratri festival, dedicated to Durga , patron goddess of Mysore ;
Control of the fort of Srirangapattana, the fortification nearest to the capital city of Mysore .

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 defence of the kingdom in case of invasion.

Hyder and Tipu

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 Maseedi (Friday congregational mosque), date from this period.

Battle of Seringapatam, 1799 : 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.

In any event, 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 king from Karnataka , who purchased the same at a Sotheby's auction.

Places of interest

The town is famous for a very ancient temple dedicated to Sri Ranganathaswamy , a form of Lord Vishnu . Other attractions include the Jumma Masjid (a Mosque ) and the Daria Daulat Gardens. 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 is situated a few kilometres 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 Sivasamudra Falls , the second biggest waterfall in India and the sixteenth largest in the world.

Distance:-	127 km South West of Bangalore.
By Road:-	3 Hours.
By Rail:-	3 Hours.
By Air:-	Nearest Airport is Bangalore.
Location:-	12 km from Mysore.
Route:-	SH17 to Srirangapatna via Ramanagaram, Maddur, and Mandya.
When to go:-	Any time of the year .
Tourist offices:-	Regional Tourist Office Old Exhibition Building, Irwin Road, Mysore. Tel 0821-2422096. KSTDC Transport Wing, Yatri Nivas Building, JLB Road, Mysore , Tel: 0821-2423652, 2425349. KSTDC(bookings and info) Badami House, NR Square, Bangalore Tel: 080-2275869, Fax: 2352626 Email: kstdc@vsnl.in
Where to stay :-	Lalith Mahal Palace Siddartha Nagar, Mysore - 570 011 Tel: 0821-2470471, 2470475 Tariff Range: Rs. 5,500/- to Rs. 30,000/-+Tax Regaatis Hotel No. 13-14, Vinoba Road, Mysore - 570 005 Tel: 0821-2428817, 2426426 Fax: 0821-421689 Email: sstar@sancharnet.in Web site: www.ushashriramhotels.com Tariff Range:Rs.4,500/- to Rs.9,000/-+Tax The Green Hotel No. 2270, Vinoba Road, Jayalakshmipuram, Mysore - 570 012 Tel: 0821-4255000/ 01/ 02, 2512536 Fax: 0821 - 5126139 Email: thegreenhotel@airtelbroadband.in Tariff Range: Rs.1,950/- to Rs.6,000/-+Tax King's Kourt JLB Road, Mysore - 570 005 Tel: 0821-2421142 Fax: 0821-2422384 Email: kingskourt@gmail.com Web site: www.kingskourt.com Tariff Range: Rs.1,800/- to Rs.4,000/-+Tax Hotel Best Western Ramashree Hardinge Circle, Mysore - 570 001 Tel: 0821-2522265/ 02/ 05 Fax: 0821-2565781 Email: mysore@ramanashree.com Web site: www.ramanashree.com Tariff Range: Rs.2,195/- to Rs.4,295/- +Tax The Viceroy Sri Harsha Road, Mysore - 570 001 Tel: 0821-2424001, 2428001 Fax: 0821-2433391 Email: viceroymys@data1.in Tariff Range: Rs.11,075/- to Rs. 22095/- Hotel Palace Plaza No. 2716, Sri Harsha Road, Mysore - 570 001 Tel: 0821-2417592, 2430034 Fax: 0821-2421070 Email: plazagroup@data1.in Tariff Range: Rs. 1,200/- to Rs. 15,000/-+12% Tax Hotel The Paradise No. 104, Vivekananda Road, Yadavagiri, Mysore - 570 020 Tel: 0821-2410366, 2515655 Fax: 0821-2514400 Email: hotelparadise@airtelbroadband.in Tariff Range: Rs. 975/- to Rs.2,700/-+12%Tax Hotel Siddharta No. 73/1,Guest House Road, Nazarbad, Mysore - 570 010 Tel: 0821-2522999, 888 Fax: 0821-2520692 Email: siddhartahotel@hotmail.com Web site: www.siddhartahotel.com Tariff Range: Rs. 960/- to Rs.1,460/- +17% Tax Hotel Prakash Deluxe Opposite Medical College, 1474 - Sayyaji Rao Road, Mysore - 570 021 Tel: 0821-2521676, 2529434 Fax: 0821-2431136 Email: alevurhotels@yahoo.com Tariff Range: Rs. 390/- to Rs.750/- +Tax Hotel Bombay Tiffanys No. 313, Sayyaji Rao Road Cross, Opposite Main Bata Showroom, Mysore - 570 001 Tel: 0821-2435255, 2435256 Fax: 0821-2433105 Email: bambaytiffanys@yahoo.co.in Tariff Range: Rs 390/- to Rs.950/- +Tax Hotel Luciya International Near Dasprakash, No. 1771, Old Bank Road, Mysore - 570 001 Tel: 0821-2420261 Fax: 0821-2420404 Email: muneernmk@yahoo.com Tariff Range: Rs. 450/- to Rs. 1200/- +8% Tax Hotel Darshan Palace Lokaranjan Mahal Road, Opposite to Regency Theatre, Nazarbad, Mysore - 570 010 Tel: 0821-2520794, 24258777 Fax: 0821-2564083 Email: madhu_sudhanraj@yahoo.co.in Web site: www.hoteldarshanpalace.com Tariff Range: Rs. 600/- to Rs.1400/-+Tax Ganesh Palace Inn L-17, Chandraguptha Road, Mysore - 570 001 Tel: 0821-2428985, 2421909 Tariff Range: Rs. 250/- to Rs. 850/ +Tax KSTDC Mayura Hoysala No. 2, Jhansi Laxmi Bai Road, Mysore - 570 005 Tel: 0821-2425349, 2425597, Tariff Range: Rs 650/- to Rs.1,000/- Hotel SCVDS Sri Harsha Road, Mysore - 570 001 Tel: 0821-2421379, 2425161 Tariff Range: Rs. 450/- to Rs. 750/- Hotel Govardhan Sri Harsha Road, Mysore - 570 001 Tel: 0821-2434118, 2429422 Email: stayhotelgoverdhan.com Tariff Range: Rs.400/- to Rs.972/- Hotel Dasharath No. 1159, Ramsons House, Near Zoo Garden, Mysore - 570 010 Tel: 0821-2449121 Fax: 0821-2563602 Email: emailramsonsmysore@yahoo.com Tarriff Range: Rs. 240/- to Rs. 750/- KSTDC Mayura Yatri Nivas No. 2, Jhansi Laxmi Bai Road, Mysore - 570 005 Tel: 0821-2423492 Tariff Range: Rs. 200/- to Rs. 550/- Hotel Ritz No. 5, B N Road, Mysore - 570 001 Tel: 0821-2422668, 2429082 Fax: 0821-2435777 Email: hotelritz@rediffmail.com Tariff Range: Rs.484/- +Tax Hotel Aashraya Dhanvantri Road, Mysore - 570 001 Tel: 0821-2427088, 2426570 Tariff Range: Rs. 350 above Hotel Chalukya International Rajkamal Talkies Road, Dhanvantri Road Cross, Devaraja Mohalla, Mysore - 570 001 Tel: 0821-2427374, 2427197 Tariff Range: Rs. 225/- to Rs. 375/- +Tax Hotel Indra Bhavan Dhanvantri Road, Mysore - 570 001 Tel: 0821-423933, 423755 Fax: 0821-422290 Email:hotel_indra_bhavan@rediffmail.com Tariff Range: Rs. 170/- to Rs. 450/-+Tax Shree Krishna Continental No. 73, Nazarbad Main Road, Mysore - 570 010 Tel: 0821-447042, 449044 Tariff Range: Rs. 450/- to Rs. 1100/- Hotel Kalinga K R Circle, Opposite City Bus Stand, Mysore - 570 001 Tel: 0821-431310, 070, 091 Fax: 0821-431310 Tariff Range: Rs. 260/- to Rs. 312/-+Tax Hotel Tara Kempananjamba, Agrahara Road, Mysore - 570 024 Tel: 0821-427938 Tariff Range: Rs. 300/- to Rs. 400/-+Tax Hotel Gayathri New Gayathri Building, Opposite Railway Station, Dhanvantri Road, Mysore - 570 001 Tel: 0821-425654 Tariff Range: Rs. 312/- to Rs. 500/-+Tax Hotel Sangeetha No. 1966, Narayana Shastry Road, Near Udupi Sri Krishna Mandir, Mysore - 570 001 Tel: 0821-2424693, 2422424 Tariff Range: Rs. 250/- to Rs. 550/-+Tax Mysore Dasaprakash Gandhi Square, Mysore - 570 001 Tel: 0821-442444, 444455 Fax: 0821-443456 Email: hoteldasaprakash@sancharnet.in.co Tariff Range: Rs. 400/- to Rs. 925/-+Tax Park Lane Hotel No. 2720, Sri Harsha Road, Mysore - 570 001 Tel: 0821-430400 Fax: 0821-428424 Email: parklanemysore@yahoo.com Tariff Range: Rs. 200/-Above +Tax Green's Boarding, Lodging& Restaurant Harsha Road, Mysore - 570 001 Tel: 0821-422415 Tariff: Rs. 120/- Above +Tax.