DAY 02
Mysore: Visit Srirangapatnam on Cycle, Afternoon Mysore Sightseeing & Visit Silk Factory
After breakfast, we check the bikes for some last moment adjustments, followed by a briefing session by the tour leader. We cycle to Srirangapatnam, riding through the back roads and into the countryside crossing villages and fields. The fort town of Srirangapatnam is built on a river island enclosed by the river Kaveri. The seat of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, this town was the de facto capital of much of southern India during the 18th century. We visit the summer palace of Tipu Sultan, Dariya Daulat Bagh, built of teakwood in Indo-Muslim architectural style within well-manicured garden. We also visit the intricately carved Ranganathaswamy Temple which is dedicated to Shri Ranganathaswamy, presiding deity of Srirangapatnam. We then return to Mysore. In the afternoon we drive into the city for a sightseeing tour and visit the majestic Mysore City Palace, a historical palace and royal residence of the Wadiyar dynasty. We then proceed to the Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation factory, where we see how the Mysore silk saree is made from the scratch, right from how the silk is unspooled, spun into fibers, and loaded on bobbins and spindles to the weaving and dyeing process. Later, we visit Chamundi hills – a Hindu pilgrimage site crowned with the Sri Chamundeswari Temple and a 5 meter-high statue of Nandi (Shiva’s bull) carved out of solid rock, dating back to 1659. After enjoying the beautiful sunset from the hill, we return to the hotel. (Cycling distance: Around 30 kms / Meals: Breakfast)
