Ranganathittu

Ranganathittu Pakshi Dhaama

Nestled about five kms from Srirangapaana off the Bangalore-Mysore highway is the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary located in the middle of the river Cauvery.

The bird sanctuary is about 16 kms from Mysore and it is better to combine it with your trip to Mysore that would invariably include Srirangapatana.

“Pakshi Dhaama” as it is called in the local parlance (Kannada) comprises six islets in the middle of the Cauvery river and is isolated from human habitat and surrounded by lush green paddy and sugarcane fields irrigated by the water drawn from the river.

These islets were formed in 1700 A.D. when a dam was built across the Cauvery. But it attainted Protected Area status way back in 1940 when the venerated Dr.Salim Ali – noted ornithologist - made a trip to Mysore, studied the area and recommended that it be declared a bird sanctuary. Surrounded by green canopy of vegetation and bamboo, Ranganathittu is home to birds of different plumes and many species come here to roost and nest from all over the world during winter between November and March. But the sanctuary may be visited any time as the islets are always inhabited by different species of local birds. One may sight at Ranganathittu spoonbills, open bill storks, darters, white Ibis, little cormorants, egret, heron, partridge, river tern, stone plougher, painted storks. The migratory birds lay eggs and breed here and fly away during the monsoon and return the following year, a cycle that is repeated annually. Boat ride is available for tourists and photographers who can view the birds from close quarters.