Temples on the Way to Mysore from Bangalore

The Bangalore–Mysore stretch isn’t just a highway you power through to reach the palace city faster. Spread across these 145 km are some genuinely old, genuinely significant temples — a couple of them centuries older than most monuments either city is known for. If you’re doing this drive anyway, a few short detours turn it into a proper pilgrimage route. Here’s exactly where they are, what to expect, and how to fit them into your trip without derailing your schedule.

The main temples on the way to Mysore from Bangalore, in driving order along NH 275, are: Kengal Anjaneya Swamy Temple (Ramanagara, ~50 km), Sri Aprameya Swamy Temple (Doddamallur, near Channapatna), Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple (Srirangapatna, ~130 km), and Nimishamba Temple (Srirangapatna, just a few km further). With a short detour, you can also cover Melukote’s Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple and the Hoysala-era Chennakeshava Temple at Somnathpur. Most of these fit into a single day trip without adding more than 45–60 minutes of extra driving.

Temples Between Bangalore and Mysore — At a Glance

Kengal Anjaneya Swamy Temple, Ramanagara

Your first proper temple stop, roughly 50 km out of Bangalore near Ramanagara — the same region famous for its granite hills and as the shooting location of the film Sholay. This is a large Hanuman temple with a strong local following, and devotees often stop here specifically to pray for safe travel before continuing the drive. It’s an easy, quick stop that doesn’t require much of a detour off the highway.

Sri Aprameya Swamy Temple, Doddamallur

Just past the toy town of Channapatna lies Doddamallur, home to the Sri Aprameya Swamy Temple — dedicated to Lord Krishna in his playful form as Navneetha Krishna (butter Krishna). Local legend places this temple at over 1,500 years old, and it’s sometimes referred to as the “Dakshina Ayodhya” (Ayodhya of the South), tied to a legend that Lord Rama himself stayed and worshipped here. It’s a quieter, less crowded stop compared to the bigger temples further down the route — worth it if you enjoy temples with genuine history rather than just scale.

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangapatna

This is the big one. Located on the island town of Srirangapatna, about 15 km before Mysore, the Ranganathaswamy Temple is one of the five sacred Panch Ranga Kshetras dedicated to Lord Vishnu in India, and one of the oldest temples on this entire route — dating back to the 9th century, with major additions by the Ganga, Hoysala, and Vijayanagara dynasties over the centuries. The sanctum houses Lord Ranganatha in his reclining form on the serpent Adisesha, and the temple complex has genuinely striking Dravidian carvings and pillars. If you visit only one temple on this route, make it this one.

Timings: Roughly 6:00 AM–1:00 PM and 4:00 PM–8:00 PM. Entry is free for regular darshan; a quick-darshan option is available for a small fee during busy periods.

Nimishamba Temple, Srirangapatna

A few kilometres past Ranganathaswamy, on the banks of the Kaveri, sits the Nimishamba Temple — around 300 years old. “Nimisha” means minute in Kannada, and the belief here is that sincere prayers offered to the goddess bring relief within minutes. It’s a smaller, more intimate temple than Ranganathaswamy, and pairs naturally with it since both are minutes apart in Srirangapatna. Local vendors nearby sell fresh farm vegetables and the famous Srirangapatna puliyogare — worth picking up before you continue toward Mysore.

Worth the Detour: Melukote & Somnathpur

If your schedule allows an extra hour or two, these two are genuinely worth the deviation off NH 275:

Melukote (Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple): About 50 km from Mysore in Pandavapura taluk, Melukote is where the saint-philosopher Ramanuja is believed to have lived for 12 years. The temple is known for its collection of precious jewels, brought out only on special occasions, and offers panoramic hill views. The local puliyogare and pongal here have their own dedicated fan base among travellers.

Somnathpur (Chennakeshava Temple): A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture anywhere in Karnataka, built in 1268 CE. The temple’s 16 distinctly carved ceilings and intricately detailed exterior walls make it a stop for architecture lovers as much as devotees, even if it’s a slight detour from the main highway.

Arrival: Chamundeshwari Temple, Mysore

No trip on this route really ends until you’ve climbed Chamundi Hills to the Chamundeshwari Temple — the presiding deity of Mysore, worshipped here for centuries and the namesake behind the city’s own name. It’s less a “on the way” stop and more the natural, spiritual conclusion of the journey, best saved for after you’ve checked into Mysore and settled in.

Travel Tips for a Temple-Focused Trip

• Start by 6–6:30 AM from Bangalore to beat city traffic and reach Srirangapatna’s temples comfortably by mid-morning.
• Dress appropriately — most of these temples expect modest clothing (covered shoulders and knees) and footwear removal at the entrance.
• Carry small cash for offerings, prasad, and roadside food stalls, since digital payments aren’t always reliable at smaller temples.
• Prioritize if you’re short on time: Ranganathaswamy and Nimishamba (both in Srirangapatna, minutes apart) give you maximum significance for minimum detour.
• Combined with food stops — Maddur Tiffany’s for the famous Maddur vada, and Kamat Lokaruchi near Ramanagara for a full breakfast spread, both sit right on the route.

FAQ: Temples on the Way to Mysore from Bangalore

Q1. Which temples are on the way from Bangalore to Mysore?

The most important temples are Kengal Anjaneya Swamy Temple (Ramanagara), Sri Aprameya Swamy Temple (Doddamallur), and the Ranganathaswamy and Nimishamba Temples in Srirangapatna. All of these are on the NH 275 route.

Q2. Which is the most famous temple on the Bangalore–Mysore route?

The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangapatna is the most significant — it’s one of the five Panch Ranga Kshetras dedicated to Lord Vishnu and dates back to the 9th century.

Q3. Are these temples too far from the highway?

No, most temples (Anjaneya, Ranganathaswamy, Nimishamba) are very close to the NH 275 highway—a maximum 5-10 minute detour. Only Melukote and Somnathpur will require a little more time.

Q4. How much extra time do these temple stops add to the Bangalore to Mysore drive?

For the main route temples (Ramanagara, Doddamallur, Srirangapatna), plan an extra 1–1.5 hours over a direct drive. Add another hour or two if you’re including Melukote or Somnathpur.

Q5. What are the darshan timings at Ranganathaswamy Temple?

The temple is open from 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM and from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Entry is free, with a nominal fee for quick darshan.

Q6. Is it better to visit these temples by cab or self-drive?

A private cab is far more practical for a temple-focused trip since you can stop, wait, and continue without worrying about parking or timing constraints — especially useful with family or elderly travellers.

Plan Your Temple Route with Mysore Travelo

A temple-hopping trip works best with a driver who already knows exactly where to stop and how much time each detour actually takes. Mysore Travelo runs Bangalore to Mysore cabs daily on this exact route — sedans, SUVs, and Innovas available for families or groups wanting a comfortable, unhurried pilgrimage drive. Check our full Bangalore to Mysore cab service or our detailed Bangalore to Mysore travel guide for the complete route breakdown.

📍 Address: Third Floor, 14th Main, 508/B1, B2, B3, 7th Cross Rd, Saraswathipuram, Mysuru, Karnataka 570009 (Get Directions) 📞 Call/WhatsApp: +91-9663616192 ✉️ Email: mysoretravelo@gmail.com

Related reads: Way to Mysore from Bangalore | Bangalore to Mysore Cabs Round Trip | One Day Trip to Mysore from Bangalore | Bangalore to Mysore One Day Trip by Car

External references: Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangapatna — Wikipedia