Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary in India map is one of the promising names when it comes to Bird Sanctuaries. With a decent area this sanctuary is one of the sanctuaries in India which is popular as a tourist spot as well. With the varied activities that a tourist can enjoy here of course this has to be one of the major tourist attractions in the state. This Bird Sanctuary is very rich in its floral and faunal variety which makes it even more attractive.
Tourists can enjoy both resident as well as migratory birds in this sanctuary. No wonder this place is known as a paradise for birdwatchers. So if you are also one of them, do not miss out on visiting this sanctuary. In this article I will mention everything that you might need to know about the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary to plan a successful trip there. So keep on reading.
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is located in which state?
The Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is located in the state of Karnataka, near Brindavan Gardens, Krishnarajasagar Dam Road, Mandya.
Timings: The Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary timings are from 9 am to 6 pm on all days
Entry fee: Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary tickets cost Rs. 75 for Indian adults and Rs. 25 for children. For foreigners the ticket price is Rs. 500 for adults and Rs. 250 for children.
However the camera and photography charges are to be paid separately here. For Digital SLR Cameras with 200mm lenses and below the charge is Rs. 150. And for lenses above 500mm the charge is Rs. 600 additional.
How to reach Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
By air
The nearest airport to reach the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is the Mysore Airport located at a distance of around 33 km. From there you can take a car to reach the sanctuary.
By train
If you wish to travel by a train the nearest railway station to reach the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is Srirangapatna railway station. It is located at a distance of only 5 km from the sanctuary.
By road
The Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is very well connected by roadways. So if you are traveling by road you will get private buses as well as government run buses from locations like Mysore and Bangalore. From Mysore the sanctuary is only 18 km, from Bangalore the distance is only 130 km. Furthermore you can also drive through or hire a car to reach the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary.
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary best time to visit
The ideal time to visit this Bird Sanctuary is the months between October to March. Weather wise also these months are the ideal months to visit the sanctuary. During these months the weather is mostly comfortable and pleasant which will be perfect for exploring the place well. Furthermore this period is also the time when many migratory birds visit the sanctuary so it would be great if you can visit during that time. Avoid visiting in summers as that will be uncomfortable with the humid weather. Also monsoon and the incessant rainfall can dampen the travel spirit. So plan your visit accordingly.
Read More: OKHLA BIRD SANCTUARY TIMINGS, TICKET PRICE, METRO STATION, PHOTOS
Overview
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary spreads across an area of 0.67 sq metre and is only 19 km away from the city of Mysore. Furthermore from Srirangapatna this sanctuary is only 5 km away and from Bangalore it is only 128 km away. This sanctuary is also popularly known as Pakshi Kashi, which means bird’s paradise. But as much as it is a bird’s paradise this is a bird watcher’s paradise too. Situated on the banks of the river Cauvery, this sanctuary houses a variety of exotic bird species. This sanctuary was named after the Hindu God Sri Ranganatha Swamy who is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. During 1660 a small dam was created across the Cauvery River that led to the formation of this sanctuary spreading across 40 acres.
This sanctuary is also the largest bird sanctuary in Karnataka and comprises 6 islets in total. Furthermore this sanctuary is one of the most picturesque spots in the region. The sanctuary offers a stunning view of the entire area. As soon as you enter this sanctuary you will be able to notice a huge spread of bamboo trees here. Along with that the whole sanctuary is dotted with various boards with names and pictures of the different bird species that can be seen here. A natural paradise, this sanctuary looks beautiful with lush greenery and colourful birds and is a perfect spot for nature lovers. Furthermore there is a canteen inside the premises of the sanctuary as well located near the lake.
History of Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary best time to visit
Some islets were formed in this area when an embankment was built across Cauvery River during the period from 1645 to 1648 by the then king of Mysore. There were around 25 islets here and soon these islets started attracting birds. This fact was observed by ornithologist Salim Ali. He further observed that these islets are an important ground for the nesting of a large variety of bird species. Later he even persuaded the King of Mysore to declare this area as a protected area. At present the Forest Department of Karnataka maintains this area. Also this sanctuary was recognized and declared as an eco sensitive zone in 2014. This means that without the permission of the government certain commercial activities would not be allowed in the area.
Read More: KARNALA BIRD SANCTUARY TIMINGS, PHOTOS, ENTRY FEES, HOW TO REACH
Flora in Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
Even though this is primarily a bird sanctuary the flora available here cannot be ignored either. There is a thorny scrub jungle area here which is the central part of the island. In that area desert conditions are more prevalent. And the other type of flora here is broad-leaved deciduous forest. Here the soil is more fertile and the water is plentiful. Almost around 400 species of dicotyledonous species are found here belonging from 79 families. Other than that you will find Acacia, Eucalyptus, Mushroom, Morels, Lichens etc here.
Fauna in Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
Because of the diverse vegetation in the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary the variety of animals is also huge here. A variety of mammals like Common Civet Palm, Bonnet Macaque, Smooth Coated Otter, Flying Fox, Grey Mongoose etc are seen here.
Furthermore some reptiles both from venomous and non venomous categories are found here as well. Some of them are Common Monitor Lizards, Snakes, Turtles, Marsh Crocodiles etc. Along with these 61 species of butterflies and around 30 varieties of fish species are also found here. Varieties of Grasshoppers, Dragonflies, Crickets, Walking Sticks, Water Scorpion, Beetles, Flies, Bees, Termites, Mosquitoes, ants are also found here.
Birds in Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
When this is a bird sanctuary of course the birds are the most important point of attraction here. Almost around 170 varieties of avifaunal species are spotted at the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary. The variety of bird species here includes both resident as well as migratory birds. Some of the common ones are Heron, Common Spoonbill, Black Headed Ibis, Lesser Whistling Duck, and Painted Stork. Also Oriental Darter, River Tern, Indian Shag, Cormorant, Egret, Spot Billed Pelican are seen here. 4 types of kingfishers are spotted here as well which are Small Blue Kingfisher, White Breasted Kingfisher, Lesser Pied Kingfisher and Stork Billed Kingfisher.
Furthermore the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is also home to many terrestrial birds as well like Red Wattled Lapwing, Grey Partridge, Pipits, Quails etc. However what is most attractive in the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is the number of migratory birds here. During the winter season more than 40, 000 birds come and visit the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary. These birds come from different countries like Siberia and North America while some even migrate from north India.
Some of the common migratory birds spotted here are Rosy Pastor, Pied Crested Cuckoo, Black Winged Stilt, Bronze Winged Jacana. Along with that Blue Faced Malkoha, Sandpiper, Indian Pitta, Blyth’s Reed Warbler are found here. Furthermore you will also find varieties like Golden Oriole, Blue Throat Forest Wagtail, Chiffchaff, Red Headed Bunting etc. Most of these birds nest here and also breed. Later these birds even fly. But some even choose to stay here like 50 pelicans have chosen the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary as their home and stayed back.
Boating in Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
One of the most popular activities in this sanctuary is the boat ride here. Because of the location of this sanctuary, boating is very enjoyable here. Here guided boat rides are available where you can enjoy breathtaking views along with glimpses of birds and aquatic beings. For Indians the charge is Rs. 50 per person and for foreigners the charges are Rs. 300 per person. However if you are interested in taking special boat rides then the charge is Rs. 2000 for Indians per trip and Rs. 3500 for foreigners. You can enjoy the sight of so many birds here and the guide on the boat will also provide you with more knowledge about birds. So if you are a bird watcher or a bird lover this boat ride will be very entertaining for you. Even otherwise this scenic ride will be enjoyable and a fun activity to do here.
Where to stay in Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
No additional arrangements for accommodation are available here though. If the tourists want they can stay anywhere near Mysore or Srirangapatna. There you can find some good quality hotels that you can check out.
Nearby places to visit from Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
· Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple
· Mysore Palace
· Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Garden
· Devaraja Market
· Gumbaz Burial Chamber
· Dariya Daulat Bagh
Wrapping Up!
So now that you know about this gem of a location in Karnataka do not miss out on visiting the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary. Do check out the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary pictures and you would get to see how beautiful this location is. So next time when you are in Karnataka or if you are already there, do include this sanctuary in your itinerary. Furthermore you will be amazed at the variety of birds you can spot here. So do let me know if this article was helpful for you in planning a trip to the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary.
