Plan your sacred journey to the Grand Temples of South India
Mysuru Temples Tour
Chamundeshwari on Chamundi Hill, Srikanteshwara at Nanjangud, Ranganathaswamy at Srirangapatna and Cheluvanarayana at Melukote, from a Mysuru base.
- Mysuru
- Suitable for 2–3 Days
- Dasara
- Family Friendly
About Mysuru Temples Tour
Four great shrines within a day's reach of Mysuru. Chamundeshwari on Chamundi Hill and Srikanteshwara at Nanjangud lie on one side of the city; Ranganathaswamy at Srirangapatna and Cheluvanarayana at Melukote on the other, so two day trips from a Mysuru base cover all four.
Mysuru makes an easy base for four great shrines: two on each side of the city, so two day trips cover them all. Navaratri and Dasara, when the festival begins on Chamundi Hill, is the busiest and most festive time to come.
Temples on this Tour (4)
- 1View Details
Chamundeshwari Temple
Goddess Chamundeshwari
Mysuru
Begin on Chamundi Hill with the patron goddess of Mysuru.
- 2
View DetailsNanjangud Srikanteshwara Temple
Shiva (Dakshina Kashi)
Nanjangud
Continue south to Shiva on the Kapila river.
- 3
View DetailsSrirangapatna Ranganathaswamy Temple
Vishnu as Adi Ranga
Srirangapatna
Visit Adi Ranga on the Kaveri island.
- 4
View DetailsMelukote Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple
Vishnu as Cheluvanarayana
Melukote
End at the hilltop town of Melukote.
Route Map
Tour Highlights
- Chamundeshwari, Chamundi Hill
- Srirangapatna
- Nanjangud
- Melukote
2-Day Route from Mysuru
Every night in Mysuru. Allow 2 days for the 4 temples, or 3 for a slower family pace. Add your travel to and from Mysuru separately.
Day 1
- Chamundeshwari TempleGoddess ChamundeshwariOpen 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM, with breaks
- Nanjangud Srikanteshwara TempleShiva (Dakshina Kashi)Open 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM, with breaks
Day 2
- Srirangapatna Ranganathaswamy TempleVishnu as Adi RangaOpen 7:00 AM – 8:30 PM, with breaks
- Melukote Cheluvanarayana Swamy TempleVishnu as CheluvanarayanaHours not confirmed
Two loops from Mysuru, chosen by geography; there is no traditional order.
Customs, rules and beliefs
Season (September-October (Navaratri and Dasara; dates move each year)): Mysuru Dasara 2026 was inaugurated on Chamundi Hill on 11 October, and the Jamboo Savari with Chamundeshwari on the golden howdah fell on 21 October.
- DressAt Nanjangud visitors wear traditional, conservative clothes and men remove shirts before the inner courtyard.
- DressAt Melukote visitors remove footwear at the entrance and dress modestly in traditional clothes.
- RitualsPilgrims can climb the stone steps of Chamundi Hill instead of driving; a large monolithic Nandi stands about halfway up. Karnataka Tourism counts 1,008 steps while Wikipedia says 1,000.
- RitualsDuring Navaratri the goddess at Chamundi Hill is dressed in nine forms, and on the seventh day the jewels given by the former Maharajas are brought from the treasury for her.
- RitualsMelukote's 13-day Vairamudi Brahmotsava, usually in early April, peaks with an overnight procession on Pushya nakshatra in which the deity wears the diamond crown.
- Good to knowNanjangud's main chariot festival falls around March or April, with a smaller one in November or December.
- Good to knowKSTDC's Mysuru-Ooty-Kodaikanal tour does not cover Chamundi Hill on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in the month of Ashada.
What devotees believe
- Fridays in the month of Ashada are held to be especially auspicious at Chamundeshwari, and large crowds come on those days.
- Locals call Nanjangud Dakshina Kashi, the Varanasi of the South, which reflects the belief that worship on the Kapila carries the merit of Kashi.
These are traditions and beliefs, described as devotees hold them. The temples set their own rituals and fees.
Sources: siasat.com, karnatakatourism.org, karnatakatourism.org, karnatakatourism.org, en.wikipedia.org, kstdc.co · checked 23 Oct 2026
Optional stops nearby
Bird sanctuaries, dams, parks and falls near this tour's temples. They are optional: the route and cost above do not include them. Distances are straight-line from the nearest temple.
- WildlifeMysuru Zoo (Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens)About 3 km from Chamundeshwari Temple
One of India's oldest zoos, in the middle of Mysuru near the palace. Plan two to three hours to see it all.
- Hours
- 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM; closed on Tuesdays. Entry is allowed until 4:30 PM.
- Entry
- Adults Rs 120; children 5 to 12 Rs 60; under 5 free (all days). Battery vehicle: adults Rs 240, children and senior citizens Rs 180.
- Best season
- November to February; go early in the morning when animals are active.
- Closed
- Every Tuesday
- For families
- The zoo covers about 157 acres, so elders may prefer the battery vehicle. A wheelchair is listed among visitor amenities.
- LakeKaranji LakeAbout 3 km from Chamundeshwari Temple
A 90-acre lake park run by the Mysuru zoo authority, with a walk-through aviary, a butterfly park and pedal boats.
- Hours
- 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM; closed on Tuesdays
- Closed
- Every Tuesday
- For families
- Flat lakeside paths and pedal boats suit children. It pairs easily with the zoo next door, which keeps the same Tuesday holiday.
- HeritageMysuru PalaceAbout 4 km from Chamundeshwari Temple
The former royal palace of Mysuru, lit by about 97,000 bulbs on Sunday and holiday evenings. A sound and light show runs on most other evenings.
- Hours
- 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM daily. Illumination on Sundays and public holidays, 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Sound and light show on all days except Sundays and government holidays, tickets from 6:30 PM at the Varaha Gate counter.
- Entry
- Adults Rs 100; children above 10 and below 18 Rs 50 (same for Indian and foreign visitors). Sound and light show: Kannada adults Rs 100, children Rs 40; English adults Rs 120, children Rs 50.
- For families
- A Sunday evening visit lets families combine Chamundi Hills darshan with the palace lights.
- Bird sanctuaryRanganathittu Bird SanctuaryAbout 4 km from Srirangapatna Ranganathaswamy Temple
A cluster of river islets on the Kaveri where storks, pelicans, herons and cormorants nest. Guided boat rides take you close to the islands, and marsh crocodiles bask on the rocks.
- Hours
- 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, all days
- Best season
- June to November overlaps with the water birds' nesting season; December is best for migratory birds.
- For families
- Karnataka Tourism lists it 5 km from Srirangapatna and 18 km from Mysuru. Most of the sanctuary is islands, so the boat ride is the best way to see the birds.
- GardenBrindavan Gardens (KRS Dam)About 11 km from Srirangapatna Ranganathaswamy Temple
Terraced gardens laid out below the KRS dam on the Kaveri. The evening musical fountain show is the main draw.
- Hours
- 6:30 AM to 8:00 PM daily. Fountain show 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM on weekdays and 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM on weekends and holidays.
- Entry
- Adults Rs 50; children 5 to 10 Rs 15; under 5 free; foreign nationals Rs 100; still camera Rs 20 (2026 rates)
- Best season
- Any time of year; arrive in the early evening, before the light and fountain show.
- Closed
- Boating is not running at present. The garden has closed for a day or more in the past after leopard sightings.
- For families
- Karnataka Tourism puts it about 21 km from Mysuru. Lawns and benches suit elders and children; outside food and plastic bags are not allowed, but bottled water is. Weekend shows are more crowded.
Sources: mysuruzoo.info, mysuruzoo.info, mysorepalace.karnataka.gov.in, karnatakatourism.org, karnatakatourism.org · checked 23 Oct 2026
Getting to Mysuru
Bengaluru has far more flights and is about 170 km from Mysuru on the expressway, with frequent trains from the city as well. Mysuru's own airport (MYQ), 10 km from the city, suits only travellers on its few Chennai or Hyderabad flights.
By air
- Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (BLR)about 170 km, about 3 hr 30 min to 4 hr by road
- Mysuru Airport, Mandakalli (MYQ)about 10 km, about 15 to 20 min by road
By train
- Mysuru Junction (MYS)About 2 km from the city centre per the district site. 41 trains are listed from KSR Bengaluru, most taking 2 to 4 hr; the fastest are Vande Bharat 20664 (about 2 hr) and 20607 and the 12007 Shatabdi (about 2 hr 15 min to 2 hr 25 min). 7 trains run from Chennai Central, the fastest about 6 hr 30 min.
- Nanjangud Town (NTW)About 1 km from the Srikanteshwara temple. 7 daily trains are listed from Mysuru Junction, most taking about 40 to 45 min (fastest 23 min), but the road is quicker for a day loop.
- Mandya (MYA)Karnataka Tourism puts Melukote about 35 km from Mandya (OSRM: 39 km). 37 trains are listed from KSR Bengaluru, most taking 1 hr 20 min to 1 hr 40 min, the fastest Vande Bharat 20664 in about 1 hr 10 min.
By road
- From Bengaluruabout 140 km, about 2 hr 30 min to 3 hr 30 min (the district site says about 3.5 hr; OSRM routing from central Bengaluru: 139.5 km, 1 hr 57 min without stops)
- Mysuru to Melukoteabout 50 km, about 1 hr to 1 hr 15 min
- Mysuru to Nanjangudabout 23 km, about 30 to 40 min
Sources: mysore.nic.in, erail.in, erail.in, erail.in, karnatakatourism.org, karnatakatourism.org · checked 22 Oct 2026
Questions Visitors Ask
When is the busiest time at Chamundeshwari?
Navaratri and Dasara, around September and October, when the festival begins on Chamundi Hill and ends with the goddess carried in the Jamboo Savari. Expect large crowds.
How many days do the four temples need?
Two days from a Mysuru base, one for Chamundi Hill and Nanjangud and one for Srirangapatna and Melukote. Add a third for a slower pace.
Plan this Tour
Create your personalized pilgrimage journey
Estimated Trip Cost
₹ 52,186
for 4 people (2 Days)
≈ ₹ 13,047 per person for the trip
- Return flights · published fare example₹36,176Chennai ↔ Bengaluru: ₹4522 + ₹4522. Airline examples checked 2026-10-19 × 4 people. Economy; not a live fare for your dates. Rate source
- 1 × AC sedan with driver₹8,2001 × (500 billed km × ₹14 + 2 days × ₹600 driver). Up to 4 passengers per vehicle, driver separate. AC; fuel budgeted within the per-km hire, inclusions to confirm. Minimum 250 km/day; route 395 km. Chennai operator example; pickup in your region to confirm. Rate source
- 1 night · 2 rooms₹4,6101 nights × 2 rooms × ₹2,305/night. Two people per room, rounded up. Hotel Raya’s Standard AC, Kumbakonam published reference including tax; availability elsewhere to confirm. Rate source
- Simple local meals · all travellers₹3,2002 days × 4 people × ₹400/day. Planning allowance.
- Tolls, parking and personal spending
- Home/station transfers, travel-day meals and extra nights
- Permits, garage/pickup kilometres, driver accommodation and operator taxes, if charged
Assumptions & what changes this estimate
References checked 19 October 2026. Rooms use the linked hotel’s published examples. Meals, fuel, bus and train are budgeting allowances. Bus/train costs use approximate distance, not ticket searches or confirmed classes. Flight examples are economy fares; Luxury upgrades your stay and local vehicle, not your flight cabin. Cab and rental examples need confirmation for your arrival region.
Basic sets rooms, meals and hired vehicle class. Own-vehicle fuel and economy return fares do not change with the stay tier. Dates do not fetch live prices.
Hotel references are Kumbakonam examples, including the published tax, used as a budget across the trip. They are not confirmed rooms in every town. Meals and fuel are planning allowances. All travellers use the same allowance; no child discount is assumed.
Cab minimums and room sharing mean some changes can leave a line unchanged. Travel quotes entered by you are fixed group totals. Prices and availability must be confirmed before booking.