Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
here. Bus 307 (?18, 30 minutes) heading to Brindavan Gardens is just across from Srir-
angapatnam's main bus stand.
Getting Around
The sights are spread out, so hiring an autorickshaw is the best option (?250 for three
hours) of getting around.
Melkote
Life in the devout Hindu town of Melkote, about 50km north of Mysore, revolves around
the atmospheric 12th-century
Cheluvanarayana Temple
(Raja St; 8am-1pm & 5-8pm)
, with its
rose-coloured
gopuram
(gateway tower) and ornately carved pillars. Get a workout on the
hike up to the hilltop
Yoganarasimha Temple
, which offers fine views of the surrounding hills.
The town really comes alive for the
Vairamudi Festival
(Melkote; Mar/Apr)
in March or April,
attracting 400,000 pilgrims for the crowning of the statue of Vishnu.
Three KSRTC buses shuttle daily between Mysore and Melkote (?60, 1½ hours).
Somnathpur
The astonishingly beautiful
Keshava Temple
(Indian/foreigner ?5/100; 8.30am-5.30pm)
is one of the
finest examples of Hoysala architecture, on par with the masterpieces of Belur and Hale-
bid. Built in 1268, this star-shaped temple, 33km from Mysore, is adorned with superb
stone sculptures depicting various scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagavad
Gita, and the life and times of the Hoysala kings.
Somnathpur is 12km south of Bannur and 10km north of Tirumakudal Narsipur. Take
one of the half-hourly buses from Mysore to either village (?35, 30 minutes) and change
there. There are also government-run day tours that visit from Mysore
TOP OF CHAPTER
Bandipur National Park
A part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve,
Bandipur National Park
(Indian/foreigner ?75/1000, video
?100; 6am-6pm)
is one of South India's most famous wildernesses areas. Covering 880 sq
km, it was once the Mysore maharajas' private wildlife reserve, and is now a protected
