Places to See Around Mysore, India
Interesting Sights Near Mysore and Daytrips From Mysore, South India
Sep 18, 2009
Interesting sites to visit around Mysore include the Hoysala temples in Belur and Halebid, the world's largest monolithic statue in Sravanabelagola, and the Tibetan settlements in Bylakuppe.
The Hoysala Temples in Belur and Halebid
The Hoysala temples in Belur and Halebid are some of the most fascinating temples in South India. The Hoysalas ruled this part of Karnataka from the 11th to the 14th century, and were extremely skilled craftsmen. Hoysala artists decorated their temples with intricate soapstone sculptures and detailed carvings representing men in battles, dancing women, Hindu deities, birds and animals. The Hoysaleswara Temple in Halebid is dedicated to Hindu god Shiva, while the Chennakeshava Temple in Belur is dedicated to Vishnu. A taxi from Mysore is the easiest option for exploring Belur and Halebid, but autorickshaws and buses connect both towns to Hassan for buses and trains to Mysore.
The Hoysala Temple in Somnathpur
The temple in the small village of Somnathpur, just 33 km from Mysore, was built in the 13th century and is another beautiful example of the Hoysala architecture with its detailed sculptures and intricate stonecarvings. Somnathpur is less visited than the temples in Belur and Halebid, but within easy reach from Mysore by local bus or taxi.
The Tibetan Settlements in Bylakuppe
Bylakuppe is home to thousands of Tibetans in exile. The settlements here were established in 1969-1970 to house Tibetans who had fled Tibet after Chinese occupation, while the main tourist attraction in Bylakuppe is the Tibetan Buddhist Golden Temple. Bylakuppe is situated approximately 85 km from Mysore on the Mysore-Madikeri road, near Kushalnagar, and can be reached by bus or taxi from Mysore.
The Giant Jain Statue in Sravanabelagola
Sravanabelagola is one of the most famous Jain pilgrimage destinations in India and features a 17 metre high statue of Lord Gomateshwara, the son of the first Jain teacher Emperor Vrishabhadeva. The world’s tallest monolithic statue stands on top of a steep hill, and can only be reached by walking several hundreds of stone steps. Sravanabelagola makes a relaxed day trip from Mysore, or can be combined with a visit to Belur and Halebid.
The Capital Of Tipu Sultan in Srirangapatna
A short bus trip or a taxi ride from Mysore, Srirangapatna was the headquarters of Tipu Sultan, the 18th century ruler of the kingdom of Mysore. Tipu Sultan’s summer palace, built in 1784, features a museum with a collection of arms, coins and other artifacts from the era. Tipu Sultan and his father, Hyder Ali, are both buried in a mausoleum nearby. Another interesting place to visit in Srirangapatna is the Ranganathaswamy Temple, said to date back to the 9th century, and still busy with devotees.
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