Srirangapatna is a city of historic, religious, and cultural significance situated in the Mandhya district of the Karnataka state in India. It is also called Srirangapattana and Seringapatam (during the British rule). A worth visiting tourist destination on the Bangalore-Mysore Highway, it is about 19 km away from the city holding a historic importance named Mysore. Srirangapatna is actually an island surrounded by the holy River Kaveri that flows on its eastern side. To the west side of the town, flows the Paschima Vaahini segment of the holy river.

Historic Importance

Since ancient times, Srirangapattana has been a capital city and a place of pilgrimage. It became the ruling centre during the reign of the Vijayanagar Empire, from where the other cities were supervised including Mysore. Next, were the rulers of Mysore to take up this city.

Raja Wodeyar defeated the viceroy Rangaraya in 1610 and celebrated the Navaratri festival. Since then, it is accepted that there are things that revealed control and power over the Kingdom of Mysore:

• Successfully adhering to the 10-day Navaratri festival of Goddess Chamundeshwari, who is the Mysore’s patron goddess
• Power of the Srirangapattana fort

Srirangapattana, the final defense place of the Mysore Kingdom, remained its part since 1610 until 1947 (even after Independence).

During the reign of the Mysore kings namely, Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan (The Tiger of Mysore); Srirangapatna was the de facto capital of Mysore under which a major area of South India was covered.

The Battle of Seringapatam in 1799 is a major historic event between Tipu and the Nizam of Hyderabad along with support of the British. Herein, Tipu Sultan was killed at the Hoally Gateway within the fort due to betrayal from one of his private men. Upon the victory, the gold, cash, Tipu’s clothes, shoes, sword, and firearms were sent to England. Now, these items are found in the British Royal Collection and in the Victoria and Albert Museum. However, some of them are bought back to the place from auctions.

Religious and Cultural Importance

The name of the city comes from the famous religious temple named Ranganathaswamy (Temple of Hindu Lord Vishnu) that makes it an important Hindu pilgrimage spot in South India. Constructed by the Ganga dynasty rulers (9th century), the temple exhibits the Hoysala and Vijayanagar architectural styles.

The flowing of the Kaveri River is regarded auspicious making the town a pure area for pilgrimage. More significantly, the Paschima Vaahini section at Srirangapattana is regarded sacred such that the ashes of the mortals are immersed in these waters by the devout coming from far away places.

Traditionally, all the islands on the Kaveri River are dedicated to Sri Ranganathaswamy. Among these, are the three large islands on which many large temples dedicated to the deity are constructed. These islands are Srirnagapattana, Shivanasamudra, and Srirangam.

Tourists’ Attractions

• Fort
  This is the place where Tipu attacked the British soldiers with his fabulous sword. The place where he fell after being betrayed by his own confidants is marked here. A Mosque and the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is present in the fort.
• Ranganathaswamy Temple
  This is a famous spot of Hindu pilgrimage.
• Daria Daulat Bagh
  This is a Summer Palace of Tipu Sultan that was built in 1784 with teak on a raised platform of 1.5 m on the banks of the River Kaveri. It houses the paintings, ammunitions of the Valant victories, and struggles of Tipu. This Indo-Saracen building’s corridors exhibit murals that depict Tipu’s suffering in the battle with the British.
• Paintings
  The painting named The Storming of Seringapattam drawn in 1800 shows the seizure of the capital happened in 1799 along with the main British officers. Some paintings depict the walls of Tipu’s fort, mosque’s minarets, and gopuram of the Ranganathaswamy temple. Other paintings highlight the victory of Haider Ali and Tipu over the English contingent at Pollilur (Kanchipuram) in 1780. However, at present, many of them are in a bad state due to improper maintenance and neglect.
• Museum
  This place consists of a painting made in 1792 of Tipu dressed with a striped shirt, turban, necklace, and a belt of precious stones with a sword. It also houses pencil sketches of the Tipu’s sons, minister of the Nizam, Krishna Raja Wodeyar III, and his maternal uncle, Nandi Raja made by an English artist (1799-1801). The museum hosts a collection of those times coins and bronze, silver, and copper medals given by the English to mark the victory against Tipu. The museum is opened from morning 9 to evening 5. There is an entrance charge, but is free on Fridays.
• Masjid-E-Ala or Jamia Masjid
  This is built by Tipu and is near the Bangalore Gate of the fort. It is constructed on a high base with a front open court, a verandah, an airy prayer hall, and the Mihrab (in the west). The mosque contains ninety-nine names of Allah. Surrounding the mosque, are the two minarets of two storeys being octagonal in shape and mounted by domes. To be on the top of minarets for a scenic view of the mosque, one needs to climb 200 steps.

• Gumbaz
  This is a place where Tipu Sultan, his father Hyder Ali, and mother Fatima Begum are burried. Tipu erected this place somewhere in 1782-84. Situated in the middle of the Lalbagh garden, it withstands itself on a high platform and contains an airy verandah of polished pillars. The other attractions are large dome, ivory doors, stone windows of detailed work, inscriptions, and walls covered Tipu’s favorite Tiger stripes. The verandah and the platform house the tombs of Hyder’s family members.
• Colonel Bailey’s Dungeon
  This name is derived from Colonel Bailey who died in 1780 A.D. here. At this place, Tipu locked up Captain Baird, Colonel Brithwite, Captain Rulay, Frazer, Samson, and Lindsay. It is built with brick and mortar. When the British seized the city, one cannon rolled and fell into the dungeon, which can be seen still at that place of felling.
• Rangantittu Bird Sanctuary
  This is the home of several birds such as the Painted and Open-stilled Storks, Black-headed Ibis, Great Stone Plover, and Indian Shag.

• The Karighatta (Black Hill) and Temple of Lord Srinivasa
  Situated nearby, the deity is the Kari-giri-vasa, meaning the one who lives on the black hill.
• Nimishambha Temple
  This is the popular temple situated in the close by district of Ganjam.
• Shivanasamudra Falls
  Situated at 27 km, this is the second biggest waterfall in India and the sixteenth largest in the world.
• Other Temples
  • Ganesha Temple in front of RanganathaSwamy Temple,
  • Gangadhareswara Swamy Temple
  • Ayyapa Temple & Subramanya Temple in front of Gangadhareswara Swamy Temple
  • Lakshminarasimha Swamy Temple
  • JyothiMahaswara Temple
  • Bidhcotta Ganesha Temple
  • Panduranga Swamy Temple
  • Sathyanarayana Swamy Temple
  • Anjunaya Swamy Temple in main Road
  • Raganatha Nagara Ganesha Temple

The miraculous ice pillar grows on its own during May to August and then slowly wanes, which is according to the moon’s phases. There are around four to five ice formations among which that of the Shiva is the highest. To his left is that of his son – Lord Ganesha ((the Lord of Wisdom and Prosperity)), while on the right is that the Parvati, Shiva’s wife, and Bhairava (God of Courage).

Located at 145 km away from Srinagar, the cave is at a height of 3,888 m above the sea level. Due to this geographical location and unfriendly weather, the route to this holy cave is unreachable from September to June due to snow covers. Therefore, the Amarnath pilgrimage from Srinagar or Kashmir is only permitted from the period of July to August. Even after this, the route is arduous and the peak’s height and low temperature can make it further tough. However, this has not affected the people’s faith due to their unflinching devotion and belief in Lord Shiva.

Due to terrorists, the Central Reserve Police Force, Indian Army, and Indian Paramilitary Forces have tightened the security due to which prior permission for pilgrimage is required from the Government of India.

Discovery of the Divine Cave

There is a mysterious story behind the discovery of this cave. According to this story, a Sadhu (saint) gave a sack of coal to a Gujaar (type of tribe) shepherd named Buta Mailk. Amazingly, instead of coal, the shepherd found gold coins in the sack when he opened it. In no limit to his happiness, the shepherd went back quickly to thank the Sadhu. However, when he reached place where he met the Sadhu, the Sadhu had disappeared and instead, he found the divine cave and the sanctified lingam. He publicized this event to all the villagers and from then, the cave is revered as the sacred shrine of Shiva.

There is another story to this discovery according to the ancient epics. According to this story, the current valley of Kashmir was actually a big lake in olden days. Kashyap Rishi, the grandson of Lord Brahma (creator/father of the Universe), drained the lake water via multiple rivers and streams. At this time, Bhrigu Rishi had come to visit The Himalyas. This sage was the first to worship the Holy Cave. He then told about this lingam to the people. Since then, Amarnath is regarded as Shiva’s abode and lakhs of devotees come for pilgrimage despite arduous terrain for obtaining eternal peace and joy.

Legend

There are two legends famous behind the significance of this holy cave.

Story-telling Legend

Considering the Hindu mythology, it was in this holy cave where Shiva revealed to his divine wife, the top secret of life and eternity. Crores of years ago, Goddess Parvati asked Lord Shiv – Bhole Shankar, her divine companion, to explain the reason of wearing the beads of heads (Mund Mala). Shiva answered that whenever you take birth, I insert one more head in my mala. Then, the goddess said, “My Lord, my body is destroyed every time and I die again and again, but you are immortal. Please let me know the secret of this.” As a reply, Lord Shiva said that this happens due to Amar Katha.

Maa Parvati insisted for the life’s secret repeatedly. However, Lord Shiva continued to postpone it for a long time. Lastly, on persistent request, he decided to reveal the immortal truth. To tell the truth, Lord Shiva began to look for a lonely place where no living being can heed the immortal tale. In his quench, Lord Shiva choose the Amarnath Cave. He began his journey towards the cave. On the way, at Pahalgam (Bail goan), he left his Nandi, the bull for his ride. Next, at Chandanwari, he took out the Moon from his locks (Jataon). Going further, at the banks of Lake Sheshnag, he took out his snakes usually found around his neck. Then, he left his son Ganesha at the Mahagunas Parvat (Mahaganesh Hill).

Next, at Panjtarni, Lord Shiva left the Five Elements from which a living being is made up of namely, Earth, Water, Air, Fire, and Sky. He is regarded as the God of these elements. A popular belief is that both Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati performed a Taandav dance to commemorate sacrificing the materialistic world. After making himself free from all the worldly things, both divine souls entered the holy Amarnath cave.

Then, Lord Shiva took Samadhi on the skin of the Deer and began to meditate. Next, he ordered Rudra named Kalagni to lit fire to discard any living being in or nearby the cave so that no living being can hear this tale. It was now that he started explaining the reason behind the creation of life and this world to Maa Parvati. However, by chance, one egg was underlying the skin.

While Shiva was explaining this to Parvati, unknown to them, two mating doves from this egg eavesdropped in between to learn the secret and tend to dwell in the cave forever. These doves are reborn again and again and have made the cave their perpetual home. Many pilgrims on their way have seen and reported the doves-pair despite no vegetation being around the cave. This is truly an unbelievable miraculous truth in the history of this cave. Even today, you can see these two doves when you trek for pilgrimage in August.

Nectar Distribution Legend

There is another popular legend behind this cave. According to the legend, Lord Shiva gave the celestial nectar of immortality to all the heavenly gods to make them immortal. This act of Shiva bought him an award of the name Amarnath, which means one who is eternal and immortal. Since then, Lord Shiva also means Lord of Immortality and hence the cave dedicated to him.

Pilgrimage Route

There are two routes to this cave. One is the traditional route from Pahalgam and the other is from Baltal.

The Pahalgam Route

From Pahalgam, the cave is at 46 km at the end of the Lidder valley. Actually, it used to start from Srinagar that is 117 km away, but now a shorter route is taken through Chandanwari. Prior to the Journey, a puja (religious ritual) is performed at the Shankaracharya temple in Srinagar from where the pilgrims take a rod (mace) named Chhari Mubarak up to the cave.

Trekking is the only way to reach the cave. The trek from Chandanwari holds spiritual importance. You will come across the following halts or beautiful scenes.

• Sheshnag
  Is a mountain of seven peaks looking like a head of a snake. Other attractions are the glaciers and lakes.
• Mahagunas Pass
  This is at 12 km that goes down to the next stop.
• Panchtarni
  This is the last camp of grasslands from which the cave is at 6 km.

It is recommended to start early due to long distance and queues of people in darshan. If you do so, you can return to Panhtarni by lunch and Sheshnag by night. This journey to the holy shrine is fruitful for those who have immense faith in their hearts.

The Baltal Route

This is an isolated area and it is for those who do not want crowd. Baltal is a village in the foot of Zojila Pass at a distance of 15 km from Sonamarg. However, this route is steep and is slippery during the visiting time in August or monsoons. It takes a day to reach the cave via this route and so there are many teal stalls and Langars (big kitchens) at Brarimarg, Sangam top, and Domail. The rout at the Sangam top coincides with the Pahalgam route.

You can take up a pony ride to reach the cave available at the standard rates.

Days of Attraction

When the ice Shivling is at its peak on the full moon day in August (Hindu holy month of Shravan), lakhs of Hindus and other tourists reach the cave to worship the amazing lingam by trekking from Pahalgam.