Around Mysore

Somnathpur : The Keshava temple is 33 km from Mysore (Admission Rs 5). The astonishingly beautiful was built in 1268 by Hoysala kings. The walls of this star shaped temple are covered with superb stone sculptures depicting various scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita, and the life and times of the Hoysala kings. Take a bus to Bannur (Rs 12, 30 min) and change there for Somnathpur, a further 10 km travel.

Srirangapatnam : The island capital of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan is located 16 km from Mysore. IN 1799, British conquered Tipu Sultan with the help of disgruntled local leaders. The fort is in ruins with a dungeon where Tipu held British officers captive, a mosque and Sri Ranganatha swamy temple.

One kilometre east of the fort is Tipu's summer palace - Daria Daulat Baugh. The highly decorated interior houses a small museum (Rs 5). About 2 km further east is the impressive mausoleums - Gumbaz - of Tipu and his father, Hyder Ali. The Sangam of Cauvery river is 500 m away, where one can have coracle ride at Rs 25. Beware of crocodiles too.

Ranganathittu bird sanctuary : It is 3 km from Srirangapatnam and is on an island in the Cauvery river (Admission Rs 10, camera Rs 20). Early morning and late afternoon are the best time to watch birds. The best season is April to July. Boat rides (Rs 25 per person) will help to watch the birds closely. The birds found here are stork, ibis, egret, spoonbill and cormorant.