Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple

The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangapatna is one of the 'Pancha Ranga Kshetrams,' specifically the 'Adi Ranga' or first Ranga. Built primarily in the 9th century by the Gangas and later expanded by the Vijayanagara kings, the temple's reclining Vishnu idol is one of the largest in the state. The temple's location on an island in the Kaveri gives it a serene, protected atmosphere that has resisted centuries of political upheaval, including the battles between Tipu Sultan and the British. The island also houses Tipu Sultan's summer palace (Daria Daulat Bagh) and his mausoleum (Gumbaz).