A lot of people indeed venture on the drive from Bengaluru to Mysore. This humble 180 km journey (depending on the route you take) often tricks people to begin in Bengaluru and leave the driver’s seat only upon reaching Mysore. But, the drive is dotted with Karnataka’s hidden gems in the form of beautiful villages, a bird sanctuary, cascading waterfalls, and hills that invite you for a climb. The highway connecting the cities is well-maintained and highly popular, thus offering a safe drive even for infrequent drivers. Irrespective of whether you are a native of Karnataka or new to its charm, this trip will unravel new facets of its history, culture, art, food and of course, natural reserves. By Shubhanjana Das
Leave Bengaluru early after a satiating hot filter coffee at Brahmin’s Coffee Bar or Maiyas before taking over the steering wheel. Don’t bother with stacking snacks as multiple eateries on the way make sure to supply you with Karnataka’s authentic culinary treats. The route discussed here is through NH275, the most scenic and the easiest drive out of the three major routes.
1. Ramanagar
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Deserving of an itinerary of its own, Ramanagar is a nature lover’s delight. It shelters India’s only Vulture Sanctuary and is home to critically endangered species like the yellow-throated bulbul and long-billed vultures. Ramanagar is also a place of geological importance because of the closepet granites and the rocky boulders that are a hot seat for trekkers and rock climbers. You can visit the 1,000-year-old Shiva temple Ramadevara Betta, claimed to be established by Sugreeva himself. If the rocky terrain of Ramanagar was good enough for Sholay to be shot here, it’s good enough for all of us! Only four kilometres ahead of Ramanagar is Janapada Loka, a living, breathing encyclopaedia of Karnataka’s folk history. The museum is stacked with artefacts that date back a few hundred years at least and are worth a quick stop and browse.
Total distance – 47.5 km
Duration – 1 h 12 m approx
Best time to visit – November to March
Things to keep in mind – Janapada Loka is open from 09:00 am to 5:30 pm, all days except Tuesdays.
Where to stay – Shilhaandara Resort
Where to stop and eat – You will find multiple roadside eateries offering thatte idli, set dosa and the likes.
2. Channapatna
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Lovingly called the ‘town of dolls’, Channapatna is unlike anything you would have seen before. One of the most significant traditional craft hubs of Karnataka, the artisans of Channapatna are masters in toy and doll-making. These dolls come to existence out of different varieties of wood and lacquerware. The practice is said to date back to the days of Tipu Sultan when the toys were made using ivory.
Total distance – 12.6 km from Ramanagar
Duration – 17 minutes approx.
Best time to visit – November to March
Things to keep in mind – A little ahead of Channapatna, lies the Heritage Winery, which makes for the perfect pitstop if you want to witness the art of wine-making and take a tour of the grapevines.
Where to stay – Shilhaandra Resort
Where to stop and eat – Shivalli MTR
3. Shivanasamudra
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Located in Mandya and along the river Kaveri, the Shivanasamudra falls is the site of one of the first hydro-electric power stations in Asia. It plunges through the rocks and ravines of the Deccan Plateau into a 322-ft-high waterfall. Its neighbouring Bharachukki and Gaganchukki falls are also worth checking out.
Total distance – 71.4 km from Channapatna
Duration – 1 h 20 m approx.
Best time to visit – July to October
Things to keep in mind – If you are a history enthusiast, you can drive 29 km from Shivanasamudra to the sand-covered Temples of Talakdu.
Where to stay – Raya Resort
Where to stop and eat – Maddur Vada at any roadside eatery in Maddur
4. Srirangapatna and Ranganathittu
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When on the way to Mysore, it is impossible to just zoom past the places of significance during the Vijayanagar Empire. These have also seen the reign of Tipu Sultan and Hyder Ali. Srirangapatna’s temple architecture is most proudly displayed in this small town’s epicentre of history and heritage, the Ramanathaswamy Temple, which is made after Hoysala and Vijayanagara architectural styles. And while you can witness many abandoned forts and ruins of once-glorious palaces, Tipu Sultan’s Daria Daulat still stands tall and beautiful. The Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary in Srirangapatna is home to many avian species including painted storks, black-headed ibises, Oriental darters, and stork-billed kingfishers among others, that you can spot on a boat ride on the Kaveri.
Total distance – 76.5 km from Shivanasamudra
Duration – 1 h 45 m approx
Best time to visit – June to November
Things to keep in mind – The bird sanctuary is open on all days from 09:00 am to 06:00 pm.
Where to stay – Mayura River View
Where to stop and eat – Thotada Maane
5. Mysore
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The only place that can do justice to such an epic road trip is the ever-enchanting city of Mysore. The heart of the city, the majestic Mysore Palace, says a lot about the importance of Mysore in history. It’s a melange of Hindu, Islamic, Gothic and Rajputana style of architecture, and the seat of the powerful Wodeyar Dynasty. In between bites of the decadent Mysore Pak that melts in your mouth and bowls of idli-sambhar, explore the Chamundi Hills, one of the eight most sacred hills in South India, the Krishna Raja Sagar Dam and the beautiful Karanji Lake. Make sure to take back the world-renowned Mysore silk saris and sandalwood as souvenirs.
Total distance – 18.2 km from Srirangapatna
Duration – 30 minutes approx.
Best time to visit – July to February
Things to keep in mind – Don’t forget to time your visit to the Mysore Palace after sundown to witness it lit with a thousand light bulbs.
Where to stay – Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel
Where to stop and eat – Vinayaka Mylari
