Bangalore-Mysore Road Trip

Place: Mysore.

Distance: 140 x 2 = 280 kms.

Directions: Bangalore -> Ramnagara -> Maddur -> Mandya -> Srirangapatna – -> Mysore City.

Participants: Vinod, Manoj, Manju, Suri.

Car: Swift Dezire.

                                                                       Road Map

It was around 6 in the morning where we had to meet up as scheduled at our Adda. When I reached the Adda, I was bit surprised to find the other three friends already waiting for me. We had a formal greeting, had some tea/coffee and then decided to leave Bengaluru around 6:30. Our drive started from Bangalore to Bidadi which was around 30kms stretch. The weather was very cold as lots of gloom in the sky that left SH-17(Mysore road) dingy. We decided kept to keep decent speed to reach Bidadi for some nice and tasty breakfast. There, we had some groovy Tate Idlies and Vadas, which esthetics merely brilliant.

                                                               Tate Idli and Vada in Bidadi
                                                                   

With little food in our stomach, we decided to proceed further. On right with some distance in the view, we saw a giant wheel of an amusement park by name Wonder La. On moving further, there were some good views of the rocky outcropping at a region. After driving for nearly half an hour, we tend to reach Ramnagaram area, which has some spectacularly large boulder hills.

The Bangalore-Mysore highway practically transverses through the rocky tract. By some distance, we found Kamat Lokaruchi which is a popular place for those who are heading towards Mysore. We spotted a huge signboards from many kilometers away stating the approaching of Kamat Lokaruchi. The highway median was open briefly and we took turn right in front of Kamat’s. Though a little expensive comparatively, the food served was authentic Kannada cuisine, especially the Karavali meals. There was ample parking space, decent toilet facilities and nice atmosphere. We also found another Kamath on the highway just near to Channapatna towards the left side. Also there was a Coffee Day and McDonald’s on the left. Signboards for both appear well ahead.

        

Cafe Coffee Day                                     Cappuccino                                       McDonald's 

After Channapatana on your right are Cafe Coffee Day and Indradanush on the same compound of the road. While Cafe Coffee Day serves Burger themes and Cappuccino, Indradanush offers the typical south  Indian menu. Just next to Indradanush is the MTR and they serve tasty south Indian food.

Further ahead, near Madur the SH-33, we crossed the highway. Towards right it leads to NH 48 at Kunigal and towards right the SH-33 leads to Malavalli where it meets NH 209. Though not as unusual as the other drive mentioned, Madur too have some better places to stop for a snacks break. Maddur Tiffanys before Maddur, Nandini Deluxe in Mandya are other subsequent options before reaching Mysore. After Mandya before moving to Srirangapatna, a major road joins the Bangalore-Mysore highway towards the right. A huge signboard supports across the highway denoting the entry to Srirangapatna. The roads on your right goes to SH-7 and Nagamangala.

Srirangapatna is an island formed by 2 subdivisions of Cauvery River. We headed towards Srirangapatna which is a major part of Mysore route. We spend around couple of hours for covering the popular places of Srirangapatna. Rangaswamy temple, the remains of the fort, ruins of Tippu’s palace, the place where Tippu’s body was found in the battle field etc. After entering the town through a long bridge, we took right and it was a bit messy junction. A little ahead on the highway on the left side, we found the signboards giving direction to the monuments on located the left side of the highway. Tippu’s summer palace, Gumbaz, the Nimishamba Temple etc are located in this part.

    Srirangapatna Map

                                                                     Rangaswamy temple

A little ahead on the highway, we exit Srirangapatna through the second bridge. Around 1 km to exit the island, we saw a steep right branch road. We left the highway and took this road and went head straight to Ranganthittu bird sanctuary and Brindavan (KRS) without entering Mysore city. This road was eventually merge with the KRS Road and further it joined the SH88 (Hunsur Road) at a place called Yelwal, nearly 12km outside Mysore city on the opposite site. We spend some time there and decided to return at evening because of Brindavan (KRS) is famous for beautiful lighting and fountains which is adorable at night times. Mysore city center was nearly 24 kilometers ahead from this point. From this point onward, there are many branch roads that goes towards and around the city and we headed towards Mysore. We took deviations at Colombia Asia junction, and drove straight ahead to reach a Y junction. From there, it was nearly about 5 kilometers, we end up in the Mysore city. The traffic from Bangalore to Mysore is perceptible. So we decided to take one day stay at Mysore and see the places in and around Mysore.