Ranganathittu

About Ranganathittu

Ranganathittu is one of the notable places to visit in Karnataka.

Location info

• **Address:**Ranganathittu is 125 kms from Bangalore.

• **District:**Mysore

• **Nearest City:**Mysore,Bangalore

• Best time to visit: June to November (9:00 am to 6:00 pm)

Climate & weather

There are no extremities of temperature at Ranganathittu Sanctuary. The temperature stays between the 23. 29°C range for most parts of the year. In June, when the southwest monsoon peaks throughout Karnataka state, heavy to very heavy rainfall, accompanied by waterlogging and mild flooding, has been reported from the area.

History of Ranganathittu

Dr. Salim Ali. who, during his survey of the birds of Mysore, advocated for the establishment of such a sanctuary. The sanctuary is now a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts, nature lovers and bird watchers. The large number of birds at the sanctuary appears to have attracted a sizable number of tourists as well. A total of 2,080 foreign tourists, besides 2,02,417 domestic tourists, had visited the bird sanctuary in 1999. 2000, according to officials.

How to reach Ranganathittu

• **Nearest Railway Station:**The nearest rail junction is Mysore (18 km).

• **Nearest Airport:**The nearest international airport is Bangalore (125 km).

• **Road Transport:**Since the sanctuary is on the Bangalore. Mysore highway, approach is through either of the two cities.

Hotels & accommodation nearby

Accommodation is available at Ranganathittu in the form of three Riverside Cottages. Most tourists, however, prefer to stay at nearby Mysore.

Nearest visiting places

• Mudukuthore Temples

Mudukuthore is located at a distance of 60 km from Mysore, 25 km from Somnathapur, 5 km from T.Narsipur and is close to Talakad. The place is known for the temple of Lord Mallikarjuna. During January-February, every year, a big festival fair is organized for a week where cattle and agricultural items are traded

• Nanjanagudu Temples

Located near the city of Mysore, the town of Nanjanagudu (a.k.a. Nanjangud) is a traditional and historical place known for the temple of Lord Shiva, and a variety of flavorful bananas that are grown in the region, called Rasabale

• T.Narasipura Temples

Tirumakudalu-Narasipura (Kannada: ) , officially known as T.Narasipura [1],is a panchayat town in Mysore district in the Indian state of Karnataka. The first letter “T” of the name (T.Narasipura) refers to Tirumakudalu,the peninsular town (Trimakuta in Sanskrit) at the confluence of the Kaveri, Kabini and Spatika Sarovar (a hidden mythical lake or spring, also named Gupta Gamini)

• Talakadu Temples

Talakad is a scenic and spiritual pilgrimage center located in near T. Narasipura, Mysore district. Talakad is also know as Talakadu in Kannada, state language of Karnataka. Talakad is situated on the banks of the Kapila Cauvery River. Talakad is about 130 Kms from Bangalore and 50 Kms from Mysore. River Cauvery makes a sharp turn here

• Mysore Historical

140 Kms from Bangalore lies the abode of untold grandeur and glory. Mysore,the capital city of the Wodeyars has always enchanted its admirers with its quaint charm,rich heritage, magnificent palaces,beautifully laid-out gardens, imposing buildings,broad shady avenues and sacred temples

• Arabithittu Wildlife Sanctuary

Spread across 14 sq km, Arabithittu Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 1985, is situated in Mysore District of Karnataka. The area has scrub forests and plantations and is surrounded by agricultural fields

• Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary

Holidaying in Karnataka has its advantages. Apart from the ancient and world heritage temples depicting artistic expertise of the dynasties that ruled here, Karnataka offers you a fabulous opportunity to enjoy its majestic natural beauty

• Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary

Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary is situated north of Bandipur National Park in Mysore District, Karnataka. It covers about 30 sq km and the northern part of the sanctuary is occupied by the Nugu Reservoir

• Nagarhole National Park

Nagarhole National Park also known as ‘Rajiv Gandhi National Park’ is located 94 km away from Mysore. It is spread between Kodagu and Mysore districts. The national park has rich forest cover, little streams, valleys and waterfalls

• Mysore Archeology

This was the capital of Mysore during British times. It was highly developed city with a population of 700,000. Chamaraja established it in 1640. Between 1760 and 1799 the Muslim Hyderali and Tippu Sultan, father and son duo, gained control and shifted the capital to Srirangapatnam in the north

• Somanathapur Archeology

“There is a stillness and everlastingness about the past, it changes not and has a touch of eternity,” wrote Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru in his “Discovery of India.” These words somehow hold true when one arrives at Somnathpur, a tiny village on the banks of the Kaveri, 140 kms, south-west of Bangalore

• Balamuri Falls

On the way to K.R.S. from Mysore, 3 Km away from the main road, there are two beautiful small waterfalls, which is the hot spot for students and nature lovers. You also come across an ancient Ganesh temple in the vicinity

• Chunchanakatte Falls

Chunchanakatte Falls is a waterfall on the Kaveri River, near the village of Chunchanakatte in Mysore district, Karnataka, India. Water cascades from a height of about 20 meters.It is in the Western Ghats. Here the river falls in two small cascades before joining again to flow as one

• Kabini River

The Kabini is a river of southern India. It originates in Wayanad District of Kerala state, south India from the confluence of the Panamaram River and Mananthavady River, and flows eastward to join the Kaveri River at Tirumakudal Narasipur in Karnataka, which empties into the Bay of Bengal

• Gundal Reservoir

This place is located in Western Ghats hill range starting from Kerala and ending in Tamilnadu. MM Hills also extends beyond B.R.Hills.In between these two hills there is a dam called Gundal dam constructed between two hills,is a picnic spot. In B.R. Hills and attracts lot of devotees from South India

Helpline & emergency contacts

• **Police Station:**100

• **Nearest Hospital:**Basappa Memorial Hospital (512-401) and Holdsworth Memorial Hospital (427716), Sawday Rd, are among the best

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, BSNL, and Vi all provide coverage across Karnataka. 4G is reliable in Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Hubli, and along highways. Coverage may be weaker in deep forest areas of Bandipur, Nagarhole, and certain Western Ghats sections. Most hotels, resorts, and cafes in tourist areas offer free Wi-Fi.

Food & restaurants nearby

Food options are available in the nearest town. Karnataka cuisine ranges from coastal seafood to Udupi vegetarian to Coorg’s pandi curry. Dosa, idli, bisi bele bath, and filter coffee are iconic.

Nearest petrol pump

Petrol pumps are available in the nearest town or on the approach road — check locally for the closest option.

Accessibility

Accessibility information is not currently available for this site. Contact the venue directly or check with your accommodation for the latest accessibility details.

Rules & restrictions

Standard visitor rules apply. Check locally for any specific restrictions at this site.

Best photography spots

The best photography spots are typically during the golden hours (early morning and late afternoon). Scout the location first to identify the best angles, and consider the direction of light at different times of day.

Best time to visit Ranganathittu

November to March is peak birding season when migratory birds arrive from Siberia, Europe, and North Asia. October-April offers the widest variety of resident and migratory species. Monsoon (June-September) has fewer birds but lush surroundings.

Timings & opening hours

Open from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily. Best viewing times: early morning (6-9 AM) and late afternoon (3-5 PM) when birds are most active. Closed during certain months for breeding season.

Entry fee & tickets

Entry fee: INR 10-30 for Indian nationals, INR 50-100 for foreign nationals. Boat safari: INR 50-200 per person. Camera fee: INR 25-100.

Duration needed

2-3 hours for a boat ride and walk through the sanctuary. Half a day recommended for serious birdwatchers with binoculars and field guides.

Safety tips

Stay on designated paths and in boats. Do not disturb nesting birds. Maintain silence for better bird sightings. Binoculars help keep a safe distance. Carry water and sun protection. Follow sanctuary rules strictly.

Things to carry

Carry drinking water, snacks, comfortable walking shoes, hat/cap, sunscreen, sunglasses, camera, power bank, and personal medications. A light jacket or umbrella is recommended during monsoon season (June-September). Binoculars are essential. Bird field guide for Karnataka. Notebook and pen for bird listing. Camera with telephoto lens. Neutral-coloured clothing to blend in. Insect repellent.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest railway station serves the district. Nearest airport depends on location. KSRTC buses available from district headquarters to the sanctuary approach road.

Things to do at Ranganathittu

Birdwatching, boat safaris (where available), nature photography, guided bird walks, maintaining bird sighting lists, and learning about wetland/marshland ecosystems.

Things to visit & highlights

Nesting sites, water bodies where birds congregate, observation towers/hides, forest trails, the sanctuary office/interpretation centre, and surrounding riverine habitats.

Frequently asked questions

Q: What birds can I see at Ranganathittu? A: The sanctuary hosts a variety of resident and migratory water birds. Common sightings include herons, egrets, storks, cormorants, kingfishers, and many more. Q: What is the best time for birding? A: Early morning (6-9 AM) and winter months (Nov-Feb) for migratory species. Q: Are boat safaris available? A: Yes, boat safaris are typically available and offer excellent bird viewing opportunities.

Quick facts

• Type: Tourist Attraction
• State: Karnataka
• Category: Birds Sanctuaries

Visitor information

Please check locally for current visitor information.

Photo gallery of Ranganathittu

Photos coming soon. In the meantime, you can find images of Ranganathittu on popular travel photography sites and social media.