Nagarhole :
"The woods are lovely, dark and deep" 93 kms from Mysore in the Forest Department has a guest house here and arranges jeep rides into the forest ot enable visitors to observe the animals at close quarters. The season is between October and May.
Bandipura :
"Tiger, Tiger burning bright" 80 kms from Mysore, on the way to Ooty is the well-known Bandipur Tiger Reserve. Lose yourself in 'Kipling's Jungle' where elephants, sambars, spotted deer, langurs, peacocks, bison and yes, the majestic tiger, live in harmony in the game sanctuary. The season here is between May and November. Closed on Mondays.
Biligirirangana Betta :
Among tribal settlements This picturesque range of hills between two rivers, 108 kms from Mysore, takes its name from the temple of Biligiri Ranganatha Swami situated on the highest point of the range. The Ratha festival is held twice annually in January and April.
Mahadesvara Batta :
A pilgrim centre Atop a hill 160 kms from Mysore is the temple of Mahadeshvara. The Ratha festival here draws thousands of devotees. So does the "antaragange", a stream flowing from a perennial source where thousands come for a holy dip.
Belur - Halebid - Shravanabelagola :
Where stones speak a language of beauty The famous Hoysal a temple of Belur and Halebid are situated 160 kms and 150 kms respectively from Mysore. The exquisite and elegant bracket figures of the Chenna Keshava temple at Belur, one of the earliest of the star-shaped temples of the Hoysalas, and the hoysaleshwara temple at Halebid present, in the words of the famous historian Percy Brown, "the supreme climax of Indian architecture".
80 kms from Mysore is Shravanabelagola, the famous 'Dasshina Kashi' of the Jainas. Situated on a hill here is the towering monolith of Gomateshwara, 17 metres high! The Mahamastakabhisheka held once in twelve years, attracts devotees from all over the country. With Mysore as your base, visit many more places of tourist interest.
27 kms away is the important polgrim centre of Najangud. 68 kms from Mysore and 8 kms from Maddur is the small bird sanctuary of Kokrebellur. 30 kms to the north-west of Mysore is the 4.88 metres tall monolith of Gomateshwara standing on a hillock at Gomatagiri. 10 kms to the south-west of Mysore is the scenic hill of Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta.
Srirangapatna :
Capital of Tippu Sultan, it is situated on an Island of River Cauvery. It houses Tipu's Tomb, Summer Palaces and the Ranganatha Swamy Temple.
Melukote :
The Hill-Top Temple of Narayana was made famous by Shri Ramanuja. The main deity is Cheluva Narayana a beautiful idol.
Ranganathittu Sanctuary :
A world famous bird sanctuary. It draws birds from as far off as Siberia and Australia.
Kokrebellur :
Another bird sanctuary known for variety of birds.
Bhimeshwari :
On the back of Cauvery, a fishing camp that is famous for its Mahseer fish.
Shivasamudram :
Famous falls and a Hydroelectric plant.