Srirangapatna Island or Srirangapatna is a town in the Mandya district of the Indian state, Karnataka. It is situated at about 14 km from Mysore city. The two subdivisions of Kaveri River have formed this egg shaped rocky island. Srirangapatna Island is easily accessible by train from Bengaluru and Mysore. It is also well connected by road as it is located just off the Bangalore-Mysore highway. Since the highway passes through this town, special care is taken to minimize any deleterious effect on the monuments present in the town. Srirangapatna is very significant from cultural as well as historical perspectives.
Divinity of Srirangapatna Island
As per the traditions, all the islands formed by the Kaveri River are sanctified to Sri Ranganathaswamy and large temples had been built in ancient times, dedicated to this deity on the three largest islands. Adi Ranga at Srirangapatna, Madhya Ranga at Shivanasamudra and Antya Ranga at Srirangam are the towns dedicated to the same deity. The presence of the Kaveri River is in itself considered auspicious and sanctifying. Especially, the Paschima Vaahini section of the Kaveri River at Srirangapatana is considered very sacred and people visit it to immerse the ashes of the departed in this pious water.
History of Srirangapatna
Since time immemorial, Srirangapatna has been an urban center and a popular place of pilgrimage, primarily ruled by Ganga dynasty. After the Ganga dynasty, the Vijayanagar Empire came into power and the island became the base of its viceroys from where several nearby vassal states of the empire, such as Mysore and Talkad, evolved. When, foreseeing the decline of the Vijayanagar Empire, the rulers of Mysore ventured to achieve independence, Srirangapatna was their first target. In 1610, Raja Wodeyar firstly vanquished Rangaraya who was the viceroy of Srirangapatna at that time and celebrated the Navaratri festival in the town. Later, Srirangapatna was revived as a powerful and fortified town by Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan. The famous `Mysore Wars` of Srirangapatna were fought by them against the British. Srirangapatna remained a part of the Kingdom of Mysore from 1610 to 1947, till India`s independence.
Ranganathswamy Temple
Ranganathswamy Temple is best-known site in Srirangapatna which is dedicated to Sri Ranganathswamy, who was believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The town takes its name from this temple and is one of the most important Vaishnavite centers of pilgrimage in South India. The Western Ganga dynasty rulers of the area built the temple in the 9th century AD; the structure was strengthened and improved architecturally after about three centuries. Thus, the temple is an amalgamation of the temple architecture of Vijayanagara and Hoysala.
Other Tourist Spots in Srirangapatna
Srirangapatna has a plethora of ancient temples which are famous for their magnificent architecture. Other attractions of this town include the Jama Masjid (a Mosque) and the Dariya Daulat Palace. Apart from this, another tourist spot is the Gumbaz, which is the mausoleum of Tipu Sultan, his mother Fathima Begum and his father Hyder Ali. The tomb has a spellbinding beauty. Rangantittu Bird Sanctuary is another interesting place to visit in Srirangapatna, where several bird species are bred, including the Painted Stork, River Tern, Open-billed Stork, Great Stone Plover, Black-headed Ibis and Indian Shag. At a few kilometers from the town, a beautiful hill known as Karighatta (meaning `black hill` in kannada) houses a temple where Lord Srinivasa, also known as Karigirivasa, is worshipped. The famous Nimishambha temple of Srirangapatna is located in the nearby area of Ganjam. Near Srirangpatna, in the picturesque beauty of nature, River Kaveri meets Lokapavani River and the place is popularly known as Sangam.
Srirangapatna is now one of the frequently visited tourist spots of the district. Embraced by the mesmerizing beauty of nature, the town has a rich socio-cultural heritage which attracts tourists and pilgrims from all over the world.