The sanctuary includes six islets and the banks of the Cauvery River. Storks, ibises, egrets, spoonbills and cormorants are best seen in the early morning or late afternoon on an extended boat ride (₹1500 per hour). There are also plenty of crocodiles, which are quite easy to spot. There's a restaurant on-site.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
8.15 MILES
The second-most-visited sight in India (after the Taj Mahal), this palace is among the very grandest of India’s royal buildings and was the seat of the…
18.32 MILES
Small in scale but masterly in detail, the astonishingly beautiful Keshava Temple is one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture, on par with the…
2.75 MILES
Set within lovely manicured grounds 1km east of the fort, Tipu’s summer palace is Srirangapatna’s star attraction. Built from teak and rosewood, it has…
6.2 MILES
Back from the dead, this stunning 12th-century Hoysala temple was submerged when the Kaveri River was dammed in 1930. However, villagers had tantalising…
7.77 MILES
Dating from Tipu Sultan’s reign, this huge and very lively bazaar has local traders selling traditional items such as flower garlands, incense, spices and…
10.61 MILES
This 1062m hill is crowned with the Sri Chamundeswari Temple. It’s a fine half-day excursion, offering spectacular views of the city below. Queues are…
Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion Museum Complex
7.9 MILES
On the university campus west of town, this (somewhat neglected) museum specialises in folklore, with artefacts, stone tablets and sculptures, rural…
Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya
7.52 MILES
This unassuming colonial building, known as Wellington Lodge, was the residence of Colonel Arthur Wellesley from 1799 to 1801. He later become the duke of…
Nearby Karnataka attractions
1.53 MILES
North of the island, on the banks of the Cauvery, is this well-preserved 18th-century white-walled dungeon used to hold British prisoners of war,…
1.55 MILES
Constructed in 894, this attractive Vaishnavite temple has a mix of Hoysala and Vijayanagar design. Within are cavernous walkways, pillars and the…
1.71 MILES
The northeastern ruins of the fort make for an interesting walk around, looking out to the Cauvery River. All but hidden in the undulating terrain is this…
2.75 MILES
Set within lovely manicured grounds 1km east of the fort, Tipu’s summer palace is Srirangapatna’s star attraction. Built from teak and rosewood, it has…
3.98 MILES
This cream-coloured mosque with two minarets was built by Tipu Sultan in 1787 and features an interesting blend of Islamic and Hindu architecture. Climb…
4 MILES
In a serene garden, the historically significant Persian-style Gumbaz is the resting place of the legendary Tipu Sultan, his equally famed father, Hyder…
5.65 MILES
If you’re familiar with Bollywood, these ornamental gardens might just give you a sense of déjá vu – they’ve been the backdrop to many a shimmying musical…
6.2 MILES
Back from the dead, this stunning 12th-century Hoysala temple was submerged when the Kaveri River was dammed in 1930. However, villagers had tantalising…