Rangantittu Bird Sanctuary

The snow covered tree tops are actually white Egrets!

The trip to Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary. It is about 18km form Mysore and is home to some of the most exotic birds. It is a group of small islands in the Cauvery River.

Ranganthittu was formed as a result of a small dam across the river Cauvery in the 1600s. The Bird Sanctuary at Ranganathittu owes its existence to the world famous ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali who convinced the Maharaja of Mysore in 1940 to declare Ranganthittu as a protected area. The sanctuary is not very large it covers an area of 0.67sq.km. But is home to a great variety of birds and a few reptiles. It is said that the sanctuary is a sight to behold during the nesting season of the birds from June to November. The sanctuary is home to a wide species of birds including cormorants, darters, white ibis, spoon billed storks, open billed storks, painted storks, white necked storks, egrets, herons, terns, swallows, kingfishers, sandpiper etc. There are a few mammals in the sanctuary like fruit bats, bonnet macaques, palm civets, common mongoose and common otters. Marsh crocodiles make up the reptile population of the sanctuary.
MVI_2932 by syluette

MVI_2936 by syluette

Tipu's tomb at Srirangapatnem

The construction of this palace began with Haidar Ali, but his son, Tipu Sultan finished it in 1789. Based on the Daria Daulat Bagh in Srirangapatnam, the two storeyed building, has major amount of wood that is painted in brilliant colors with extraordinary carvings. His tomb at Sriangapatnam is worth a visit.

A walk into the history-Tipu Sultan's fort

Tipu Sultan Fort was initially built by Kempe Gowda, the founder of Bangalore. The fort was later extended by Tipu Sultan, the Emperor of Mysore. Situated near the City Market, the fort dates back to the year 1537. It was here that Hyder Ali, the father of Tipu Sultan, imprisoned David Baird, along with a number of other army officers of the British. The Fort stands as a witness to the struggle of the Mysore Emperor against the British domination. Read on to know more about Tipu Sultan Fort and Palace of Bangalore, India.

The intricately carved arches of the Tipu Sultan Fort have been built as per the Islamic style. Another major attraction of the fort is the well-preserved Ganapati temple situated inside it. Within the fort lies Tipu Sultan palace, which dates back to year 1790. Built entirely of teakwood, the palace was constructed as the summer residence of Tipu Sultan. The two-storied palace stands adorned with pillars, arches and balconies.

On either side of the Palace are beautiful gardens, which lead to its main entrance. There are beautiful floral motifs embellishing the walls as well as the ceilings of the Tipu Sultan Palace in Bangalore. Tipu Sultan used to conduct the affairs of the state from the eastern and western balconies of the upper floor. After the death of Tipu sultan, the palace was used by the British as their secretariat, till the year 1867.

Fun Frolic & Dance on the way to Srirangapatna

The trip organized by my school for primary grade children and teachers was a trip back in time of the Tipu Sultan and then a return flight to the sanctuary for birds. It was a memorable Christmas weekend!The The bus had transformed into the time machine as we went to the Mughal period and back. It was strange how my headache from the strain vanished as soon as I heard foot tapping music and I had to put on my dancing shoes.

A puzzle to muddle!

Tell me who are you?
Wherever you go
You sing and hum
New seeds you sow
Making life anew
You leave behind some
And carry along few
Slowly, slowly you shape
The world’s landscape
You have such force
In cold or heat you beat and pound
You can cross all shores
As you can’t be bound!
You give a breath of fresh air
To million’s there!

Tell me who are you?