About Ranganathittu

About 4 kms from Srirangapatna is Ranganathittu, a bird sanctuary developed around rocky islets on the river Cauvery. It is covered with thick vegetation and tall trees.

Reaching Ranganathittu

You can reach this place which is around 3 kms from Srirangapatna, off Bangalore-Mysore Highway. It is also connected by rail to Mysore, Bangalore. The nearest airport is Bangalore.   

What is so special here?

The best season to visit this bird sanctuary is between May and November. Birds as far away as Siberia and even North America migrate here. Crocodiles basking in the sun are also a familiar sight. This is a good place for nature lovers.

Wildlife in Ranganathittu

The islands are host to numerous small mammals, including Bonnet Macaque, colonies of Flying Fox and common small mammals like Common Palm Civet and Indian Gray Mongoose and the Monitor Lizard. 

The Mugger Crocodile or Marsh Crocodile is a common inhabitant of the riverine reed beds. Breeding water birds include Painted Stork, Asian Openbill Stork, Common Spoonbill, Woolly Necked Stork, Black-headed Ibis, White Ibis, Lesser Whistling Duck, Indian Shag, Stork-billed Kingfisher and other common birds like Egrets, Cormorants, Oriental Darter, and Herons.

The Great Stone Plover and River Tern also nest here. The Park is home to a large flock of Streak-throated Swallows.

Tourist Information

Ranger-guided boat tours of the isles are available throughout the day, and are a good way to watch birds, crocodiles, otters and bats. There is no lodging at the tiny sanctuary, so visitors have to stay over at Mysore or Srirangapatna.

The seasons for visiting the park are: June - November (during the nesting season of the water birds). The best time to watch migratory birds is in December.

Useful Links

Conducted package tours are operated by KSTDC (Karnataka Tourism) and also be several private operators.

Visit Karnataka State Tourism department's website to book package tours to Srirangapatna and Ranganathittu.

Go back to Srirangapatna tourist attractions

or See Srirangapatna Excursion Guide 

or learn about the history of Srirangapatna