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Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, near Mysuru
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is a group of islets in the Kaveri near Srirangapatna, 18 km from Mysuru, declared a sanctuary in 1940 at the urging of ornithologist Salim Ali. Karnataka Tourism lists it as open from 9:00 to 18:00 every day. Entry and the boat ride are ticketed separately, and the boat is the heart of the visit: it passes a few metres from nesting storks and pelicans and basking marsh crocodiles.
Six islets in the Kaveri, a boat rowed by a ranger, and birds that barely look up as it passes. Painted storks, spot-billed pelicans, ibis, spoonbills and openbills nest a few metres from the water, and marsh crocodiles lie out on the rocks with the same indifference. June to November is nesting season and the densest, loudest show; December to February brings migrants instead. Open roughly 9 to 6 with a break in the middle of the day; entry and the boat are both ticketed, with a higher foreigner rate. Srirangapatna is fifteen minutes away.
A rowing boat within metres of nesting storks, pelicans and basking crocodiles
Timings and entry fee
Karnataka Tourism, the state government's tourism department, gives the hours as 9:00–18:00 on all days. Older descriptions, including the one above, mention a midday break; the official page does not, so if you plan to arrive around lunchtime, check locally.
There are two tickets: entry to the sanctuary and the boat ride. Both have a higher rate for foreign visitors. The amounts are not published on an official page, so check them at the counter.
When heavy rain forces water releases from the KRS dam upstream, boating is suspended and the nesting birds can only be watched from a distance.
The boat ride and what you will see
Most of the sanctuary is islands, so the guided boat ride is the way to see it. Trained staff row you along the channels and help spot and name the birds, and the boat passes right under the nesting islets. Painted storks, spot-billed pelicans, ibis, spoonbills and openbill storks nest a few metres from the water, and marsh crocodiles lie out on the rocks with the same indifference.
Around 170 bird species have been recorded here. Besides the nesting colonies, the commonly seen birds include kingfishers, cormorants, darters, herons, river terns, egrets, the Indian roller and the great stone plover.
Best time to visit
- June to November: nesting season, the densest and loudest time on the islets.
- December to February: migrants arrive and the mix of species changes.
How to reach from Mysuru
The sanctuary is 18 km from Mysuru, 5 km from Srirangapatna and 16 km from the KRS dam (Brindavan Gardens), so the three combine naturally into one day out of the city.
On the boat
This is a breeding colony and the crocodiles are wild. Keep your voice down, stay seated, keep your hands inside the boat and follow the boatman's instructions.
❓ FAQ
What are Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary timings?
Karnataka Tourism lists 9:00–18:00 on all days.
What is the entry fee for Ranganathittu?
Entry and the boat ride are ticketed separately, with a higher rate for foreign visitors. Check the current amounts at the counter.
Which is the best time to visit Ranganathittu?
June to November for the nesting season; December to February for migrant birds.
Is Ranganathittu worth visiting?
Yes, if you want to see nesting storks, pelicans and wild crocodiles at a few metres' distance from a rowing boat. It is also only 5 km from Srirangapatna.
How much time to spend at Ranganathittu?
There is no official figure. The boat ride is the core of the visit, and since Srirangapatna is 5 km away, many people combine the two in one trip.