32 interesting facts of our Mysore city

1)Mysuru is the First cleanest city in India.


2)Mysuru railway junction is cleanest railways station in India.

3)University of Mysore(first university in Karnataka),sixth university in India and It was the first university in India started by indians.

4)MMC (Mysore Medical college )1st medical college in Karnataka.

5)1st city to undertake planned development in Asia.

6)Mysuru is the Cultural capital of Karnataka.

7)Mysuru is called as the ashtanga yoga capital of India.

8)Mysuru is Famous for Mysuru Silk,Mysuru Masala Dosa, Mysuru mallige,Mysuru Pak sweet. Mysuru Beetle,Mysuru Bonda etc,...

9)World's largest corporate university (Infosys GEC) is situated in Mysuru.

10)Mysuru zoo is 2nd best zoo in Asia.

11)In 2010, the city of Mysuru became the first Wi-Fi enabled city in India,.Today, Wi-Fi enabled Mysuru is the second in the world after Jerusalem.

12)Indian election inks (marked on finger) is manufactured only in Mysuru.

13)One of four cities in INDIA where currency notes are printed.

14)2nd largest IT exporter in Karnataka after Bengaluru.

15)Mysuru Was Home To The First Private Radio Station In India. The official name of all India Radio"Akashavani is the contribution of Mysuru.

16)Mysuru's Karanji Lake's Aviary Is The Biggest 'Walk Through' Aviary In India.

17)Mysuru has India's First Intelligent Transport System.

18)St.Philomena’s Church in myusru is the India’s 2nd Tallest Church & second largest church in Asia

19)CFTRI is one and only food research organisation situated in Karnataka is in Mysuru.

20)DFRL is only one Defence food research Lab of India which is in Mysuru.

21)RMP is the only rare material plant in Karnataka after Mumbai that is in Mysuru.

22)World's largest paint manufacturing unit(Asian paints) is in Mysuru

23)One of Indian naval ship is named after Mysuru (INS Mysore)

24)Rolls Royce car company names their car collection as Rolls-Royce Bespoke Ghost Mysore.

25)India’s first toilet for transgenders was started in Mysuru.

26)Asia's first TB hospital(PKTB sanitorium) was started in mysuru.

27)The rail museum in mysuru is the second one of its kind established in india after the one at delhi.

28)Mysuru is the second fastest growing city in Karnataka after Bengaluru.

29)Mysore Zoo is the 3rd Oldest in India.

30)Venkata subba shetty of mysuru was first aeroplane  builder in india.

31)Mysuru Railway Station is the First visually challenged-friendly station in India.

32)Mysuru palace is the most visited monument in india,even more than taj mahal

Tippu's Colonel Bailey Dungeon , Srirangapatna tourist places , Bangalore weekend destinations

Dungeon view from bottom

Our team visited SriRangapatna in Mandya district which is about 120 kms from Bangalore about a 2 and a half hour journey. It houses many of the historic spots of Tippu Sultan , of which in this post we cover "Colonel Bailey's Dungeon"

Dungeon view from Top

As per the history mentioned in this place "This dungeon lies north of Ranganatha Swamy temple and close to Lal Mahal Palace. The oblong bastion referred to as Sultan Bateri , conceals the vaulted dungeon measuring 30.5 mts x 12.2 mts built in brick and mortar. The prisoners were chained to the stone slabs fixed on East, North and West Walls. Named after colonel Bailey who died in 1782 AD , this dungeon was used to imprison British prisoners like Captain Baird and Rulay , Colonel Brithwhite sampson , Frazer and Lindsay by Tippu Sultan."

Inside dungeon Firangi

Train passing by Bridge

Compound walls

Our team reached here by noon after visiting Sri Ranganathaswamy temple which is just opposite to this spot about 100 to 200 mts away. This is preserved the Archaeological Society of India as a Historic monument. Entrance is free. Once we enter , we noticed on the left the dungeon underground . We took the steps down and reached the dungeon which had six open archs at the front and 3 horizonal chambers inside . We noticed the stone slabs which were mounted at equidistant lengths. It is here where the prisoners were chained. There was a Firangi right in the middle of the Dungeon and a small opening at the roof. We presume this Firangi was fired through this roof hole. Outside the dungeon were stone steps which indicated that it was not easy for the prisoners to escape around and have to pass by the difficult stone steps. Above the roof , were the compounds which had small holes , interestingly inside which were 3 bisections - left , middle and right. It is assumed earlier soldiers used to use long guns , stood behind the compound walls , used to watch the enemies through these small holes and fire the guns.

Stone Steps

Prison Hang stones

But standing on these wall compounds we noticed the Cauvery river flowing across the Srirangapatna Bridge . We were lucky to get a nice view of train passing by this bridge. There is also a small 15 feet road on the bridge to reach the other end of Srirangapatna.

A very nice spot to visit with your family and friends on a weekend. Do Visit this spot and share your experiences.

Panoramic view of Srirangapatna Bridge

Check out our touring spots guide for more details on other spots.

Ranganthittu Bird Life Sanctuary, Srirangapatna Tourist places , Bangalore weekend destinations

Our team recently visited SriRangapatna in Mandya District which is about 120 kms from Bangalore about a 2 and half hour journey.  In this post we cover the spot "Ranganthittu , the bird life Sanctuary"

   

Panoramic View of River and Small Islands

 This spot is around 2 to 3 kms from the Mysore-Bangalore national highway near Srirangapatna. It is one of the largest bird sanctuary of the state which is expected to be existing around 200-300 years ago. It is beleived the small islands / islets were built during the Mysore Maharaja wodeyar's period as a embark across Cauvery river. Later one of famous ornithologist Dr.Salim Ali during his visit here in  early 19th century noticed the bird's nesting around and requested the government to declare it as a sanctuary which is then being maintained by the forest department of Karnataka. 

River view

Birds nesting on trees

This place is spread over a area of at-least 40 acres. After visiting Pachima Vahini our team reached this spot by 1.30 PM at noon . There is a 25 feet road to his spot on either sides surrounded with lush sugarcane and paddy fields. We need to wait for at-least 30 minutes in the car queue as the security was collecting the entry fee at the gate itself and then letting the vehicles in. There is space to park around 100 cars , on the day we visited the parking space was jammed.  Entry fee is Rs.60 per person.

Boating

Crocodiles resting

Inside the park we found a canteen , a information center , a boating spot , and many paragolas for people. There were frequent vistors to the spot which kept the place busy. We came to know there were around 6 small islands made along the cauvery river - The rain tree island , The Neeranji Island , StonePlover Island , Mathi tree island  , Whisteling Teel island , Sweet Tamarind island 

Monkey at Hanging bridge

River Island view

We first covered exploring the park , we noticed few crocodiles relaxing against the sun on the river rocks , a group of white crane type birds some of which were busy fishing in the river water.  There were around 2 watch towers from where one can get a good view of the islands from top which is around 30 to 40 feet. Elder people should watch out the steps as its very steep.  

Watch towers

There is a small hanging bridge where we noticed some monkeys , passing which we found the boating spot which is the main attraction for visitors.  There was a minimal fee of Rs.50 per person for Indians and Rs.200 for foreigners. One should experience this boating to get a view of all the islands around and watch the crocodiles from a fair near distance. After travelling along a quite distance , we started feeling hungry - moved to the canteen where which was very good in terms of taste and variety and headed back.  There are many shops selling ice creams , snacks etc to make the visit more enjoyable.

Timings are from 8.30 AM to 6 PM . A very nice spot to visit on a weekend with family and friends. Do visit this spot and share your experiences.

Gumbaz , Srirangapatna Tourist places , Bangalore weekend destinations

Our team visited SriRangapatna in Mandya District , one of the infamous spots of Karnataka with historical importance. In this post we cover the spot , "Gumbaz"

Gumbaz Entrance

Gumbaz park

As per the history mentioned here "This tomb and Mosque was built by Tippu Sultan as a tribute to his illustrious father Hyder Ali (1722 - 1784 AD) , after his death. The Gumbaz is situated at the eastern extreme of Srirangapatna . It enshrines the cenotaphs of Hyder Ali , his wife Fakr-Un-Nisha and Tippu Sultan after his death in 1799 AD. It is built on a stone plinth, with polished black granite pillars that run along the corridor around the inner chamber. A magnificent dome crowns the building . The chamber is painted with the tiger stripes that were associated with Tippu.  The structure , laid out a midst  a garden , typical of Islamic architecture , also houses the Masjid-E-Aksa. At the eastern entrance of the Mausoleum is a tablet in Persian script that speaks of the martyrdom of Tippu Sultan in 1799 AD.  There are also numerous other cenotaphs of the relatives of Tippu's family."

Gumbaz Tomb

Gumbaz evening View

Our team visited here in the evening around 5 PM after visiting Cauvery Lokapavani Sangam which is about 10 minutes drive from here . Entrance is free , off course we had to shell out some parking fee of Rs.30 for our car. A beautiful arch welcomes us , on entering which we get a glimpse of the Gumbaz in front surrounded by a green park similar to the Daria Daulat bagh with flower plants and trees. Once we entered inside the Gumbaz , we were mesmerized with the Gigantic tomb built and the paintings done. Exactly under the tomb were cenotaphs of Tippu, his father and mother cover with the Holy religious cloth. The guide here explained us that the Gumbaz is surrounded with 36 pillars to signify the ruling period of Tippu and his father. Just Behind Gumbaz were cenotaphs of Tippu's other family members. There is a mosque adjacent to the Gumbaz which attracted many visitors for prayers. 

Gumbaz Mosque

Gumbaz is open to visitors between 08 AM to 6.30 PM . There are few shops and hotels opposite on the other road side where you may get snacks and stuffs to enjoy in the park with your family and friends. This is a must visit spot for monument lovers. Do visit this spot and share your experiences.

Cauvery Lokapavani Sangama , Srirangapatna Tourist places , Bangalore weekend destinations.

In this post we cover the scenic spot of SriRangapatna over team covered , "Sangama".

"Sangama" in kannada means confluence. As its name , here the spot signifies the confluence of rivers Cauvery and Lokapavani . Morever its the Cauvery river which gets divided at the Ranganatha swamy temple flows from paschima vahini from the west and also to east towards Nimishambha temple and joins at this place merely forming SriRangapatna a River Island.  Karighatta hills are visible from this spot.

Our team reached this spot in the evening after visiting Nimishambha temple which is about a 10 minutes drive from here. This place is considered as auspicious similar to the paschima vahini among the Hindu community because of the presence of river cauvery. There is a small shiva linga idol placed at the river banks where devotees come and perform pooja here. A nice scenic spot to visit along with friends and family on a weekend. There is no entry fee , however we had to shell out about Rs.30 as parking fee.  There are many petty shops selling snacks , coffee to make your evening more pleasureful.

Panoramic View of Sangama river confluence , Srirangapatna