In the Mandya district of Karnataka near Srirangapatna, lies the birding heaven of the state, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary. It is spread over 0.67 sq km along the banks of the river Cauvery, one of the noted Indian rivers.
There are six islets in the river that serve as a breeding ground for umpteen native and migratory birds. This place is popularly known as Pakshi Kashi of Karnataka.
The sanctuary gets its name from Sri Ranganathaswamy, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. If you are contemplating a visit to the sanctuary, this detailed travel guide can help you plan an unforgettable trip.
A Quick Glance Through
- Brief History
- How To Get There
- Birding in The Sanctuary
- Best Time To Visit
- Where To Stay
- Nearby Places to Visit
- Travel Tips
Brief History
A weir (small dam) constructed across the Cauvery river led to the formation of islets of Ranganathittu. In the 16th century, it was built by Kantirava Narasaraja Wodeyar, the then ruler of Mysore.
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary owes its existence to the renowned ornithologist, Dr. Salim Ali. He noticed the presence of a large number of birds in this area during a survey.
At his request, the King of Mysore established it as a bird sanctuary in 1940. The sanctuary is now managed and maintained by the Karnataka Forest Department.
How To Get There
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is easily accessible by road from Mysore (19 km) and Bangalore (129 km). It lies 5 km off Mysore road after crossing Srirangapatna if you are driving from Bangalore.
It takes roughly 15 minutes to reach the sanctuary from Srirangapatna. Many buses ply from Mysore to Srirangapatna, including Karnataka State Transport and private buses. By cab, it is a 45-minute drive to the sanctuary from Mysore.
Srirangapatna Railway Station is the nearest railhead with direct train connectivity from Mysore and Bangalore. Mandakalli Airport in Mysore is the nearest airport.
Location
Address: Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, KRS Dam Road, Mandya, Karnataka – 571438
You can use this map for driving directions from Srirangapatna to Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary.
Birding in Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
Set amidst the scenic lush green gardens, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is a delight for birders and wildlife photographers.
The unique riverine habitat of Ranganathittu boasts more than 200 species of migratory and native birds.
It serves as a winter home for migratory birds from faraway regions, like Siberia and Latin America.
Some of the commonly seen migratory birds in the sanctuary are painted stork, spot-billed pelican, Eurasian spoonbill, bar-headed goose and black-headed ibis.
Several species of resident birds like great stone plover, Indian river tern, pied kingfisher and openbill stork, also nest in this sanctuary.
A boat ride in the serene waters of the Cauvery river offers fabulous opportunities for birdwatching. It is a must-do activity in the sanctuary. As the boat sails close to the islets, you can get mesmerising views of flocks of beautiful birds.
Waterfowls, such as pond herons, cormorants and cattle egrets are pretty common sights when you are enjoying your boat ride. Keep your DSLR camera ready so that you don’t miss capturing any birding moment.
In addition to birds, you can spot marsh crocodiles (muggers) in the water. The sanctuary is known for harbouring the largest freshwater crocodile population in the state.
Bonnet macaque, common mongoose, river otter and fruit bats are also found here, but they are not easy to sight.
Take a gentle stroll in the garden when the boat ride is finished. There are a few benches in the garden, where one can just sit back and reconnect with nature.
If you like going on birding trips, you may want to check these posts.
- Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary – A Birder’s Paradise.
- Sultanpur National Park – A Hidden Birding Spot Near Delhi.
- 12 Most Spectacular Birds of Ranthambore National Park.
Best Time To Visit
Migratory birds start arriving in the sanctuary with the onset of winters. The best time to visit the sanctuary is from November to March if you are going there for migratory birds.
The monsoon season from June to October is the nesting season for waterfowls. But boating is usually not available during this time owing to the rise in the water level of the Cauvery river.
Where To Stay
There is no lodging facility in the vicinity of the sanctuary. Srirangapatna is the nearest town where you can find accommodation.
For an overnight stay, Mayura Riverview is one of the best budget hotels in the neighbourhood. It is run by KSTDC and is located roughly 3 km away from the sanctuary.
Check Availability, Prices And Book A Room in Mayura Riverview.
You can stay in Mysore or Bangalore as well. An early morning drive from Bangalore is roughly 3-hour long.
Nearby Places To Visit
The historic town of Srirangapatna is worth visiting, given the glorious past of this place. Srirangapatna was the capital of Mysore under Tipu Sultan, a great warrior and ruler of the Mysore Kingdom during the 18th century.
Srirangapatna Fort, Daria Daulat Bagh Palace and Tipu Sultan Gumbaz (The Mausoleum of Tipu Sultan) are the main heritage sites in the town.
An ancient temple dedicated to Lord Ranganathaswamy is also a popular attraction and draws many visitors.
A 30-minute drive from Srirangapatna takes you to Mysore. If you have a day or two to spare, then you can visit this heritage city.
It is known for its palatial edifices and beautiful gardens. Some of the noted attractions here include Mysore Palace, Brindavan Gardens and Jaganmohan Palace.
Check this post, if you want to know more about all the major attractions of Mysore: Top 10 Tourist Places in Mysore to Visit.
Travel Tips
- A private boat ride is better if you want to take a lot of photographs, but it is much costlier. So, you can choose depending on your budget.
- Charges (As on January 2020)
- The entry fee per person is Rs. 70 for Indians and Rs. 400 for foreigners.
- The car parking charge is Rs. 50 per vehicle.
- Shared boat ride per person costs Rs. 70 to Indians and Rs. 400 to foreigners. The ride duration is around 30 minutes.
- A private boat ride lasting roughly 45 minutes costs Rs. 3000.
- If you are carrying a DSLR Camera, then you need to pay additional charges depending on the lens size.
- There is only one eatery near the sanctuary and the choice of food is very limited. In case you miss your breakfast at the hotel, you can have it here.
Over To You Now…
This well-preserved riverine island is a favourite haunt of birdwatchers in the state. Have you visited Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary? Tell us in the comment section below.
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Very useful information. Enjoyed reading the article.
Thanks Vineet. Glad to know you liked this post 🙂