Temples in Mysuru District: Explore Sacred Sites & Heritage

Temples in Mysuru District span hilltop goddesses, Kaveri-side kshetras, and exquisite Hoysala stonework. Begin at Chamundeshwari on Chamundi Hills overlooking the city, then head to riverside Nanjangud Srikanteshwara. Add a heritage loop to Somnathpur Chennakesava for intricate carvings, and the sand-covered shrines of TalakaduVaidyanatheshwara & Kirtinarayana. Within the palace precincts, Trineshwaraswamy, Lakshmiramana, and Prasanna Krishnaswamy offer calm city darshans. This hub shares quick history notes, pooja highlights, best darshan hours, and practical tips: base yourself in Mysuru city (or Nanjangud/Somnathpur for a quieter stay), start early or visit at dusk for softer light, wear modest cottons and easy slip-on footwear, carry water and small change for prasada/parking, and check festival days—especially Mysuru Dasara—for special sevas and larger crowds.

🗺️ Explore Temples by Taluk

Srikanteshwara Temple in Nanjanagudu, Mysore District

Nanjanagudu

Home to the famous Srikanteshwara Temple, Nanjanagudu is a significant pilgrimage center known as “Dakshina Kashi” (Southern Kashi).

View Temples in Nanjanagudu

Famous Temples in Mysuru — Quick Picks

Anchor your Mysuru circuit with these headline kshetras. Each card notes the deity, area, and a highlight—kept simple for mobile readers.

Chamundeshwari Temple (Chamundi Hills)

📍 Chamundi Betta • 🛕 Goddess Chamundeshwari (Durga)


Hilltop city guardian with sweeping views; traditional steps or road access. Nandi monolith en route.

Tip: Dawn/evening are cooler; Dasara days see heavy crowds—arrive early.

Nanjangud Srikanteshwara Temple

📍 Nanjangud (Kabini/Kapila riverbank) • 🛕 Lord Shiva (Srikanteshwara)


Vast Dravidian complex with lively sevas and river-ghat ambience; major Shaiva kshetra of the region.

Tip: Mondays/Pradosha are busier; modest dress and patient queues.

Somnathpur Chennakesava Temple

📍 Somnathpur • 🛕 Lord Vishnu (Kesava)


Hoysala jewel—intricate soapstone carvings and classic trikuta plan; a must for architecture lovers.

Tip: Check ASI monument hours; best light 8–10 AM & 4–6 PM.

Talakadu Vaidyanatheshwara Temple

📍 Talakadu (sand-dune town) • 🛕 Lord Shiva (Vaidyanatheshwara)


Unique sand-buried temple landscape with powerful Shaiva traditions and seasonal river views.

Tip: Midday heat reflects off sands—carry water and a cap.

Kirtinarayana Temple, Talakadu

📍 Talakadu • 🛕 Lord Vishnu (Kirtinarayana)


Hoysala-era restoration with elegant pillars; pairs perfectly with Vaidyanatheshwara across the dunes.

Tip: Keep footwear easy to slip off—multiple sanctums to visit.

Trineshwaraswamy Temple (Palace Precinct)

📍 Near Amba Vilas Palace • 🛕 Lord Shiva


City-core shrine with serene courtyards—nice add-on to a palace-day itinerary.

Tip: Check palace timings/parking; use footwear racks near the entrance.

Lakshmiramana Swamy Temple

📍 Mysuru city • 🛕 Lord Vishnu


Historic Vaishnava kshetra with calm darshan and traditional festivals.

Tip: Evenings feel devotional with lamps and lighter crowds.

Prasanna Krishnaswamy Temple

📍 Palace area • 🛕 Lord Krishna


Elegant mandapas and serene inner sanctum—close to other palace-side shrines.

Tip: Plan a walking loop across nearby temples to avoid traffic.

How to Reach Mysuru for Temple Visits

Quick route guide to Mysuru city (Chamundeshwari, palace-side shrines), Nanjangud Srikanteshwara, Somnathpur (Hoysala), and Talakadu. Times are indicative—check live train/bus schedules, Dasara-season traffic advisories, and monsoon updates for river/forest roads.

🛤️ Rail 🚌 Bus ✈️ Flight 🚗 Drive

From Bengaluru → Mysuru / Nanjangud

Mysuru Rd (NH 275) corridor; frequent trains & buses


🛤️ Rail: ~2–3.5 hrs (KSR/Yesvantpur ↔ Mysuru Jn)
🚌 Bus: ~3.5–5 hrs (KSRTC; high frequency)
🚗 Drive: ~3–4.5 hrs; weekend peaks near Bidadi–Maddur

Tip: For palace/old-city shrines, park once and walk/auto short hops.

From Kempegowda Intl. (BLR) / Mysuru Airport (MYQ)

Airport access to Mysuru & nearby temple belts


✈️ MYQ: Limited direct flights from select cities—verify schedules
🚗 BLR→Mysuru: ~4–5.5 hrs via NICE/NH 275
🚌 BLR: Airport coach → city hub → onward bus/train

Tip: If landing at BLR, aim for early start to avoid evening traffic.

From Mangaluru / Udupi → Mysuru

Coast → ghats → Hassan → Mysuru


🚌 Bus: ~6–9 hrs (route & ghat dependent)
🚗 Drive: ~5.5–8 hrs; ghats slower in monsoon

Tip: Pair with Hassan/Belur–Halebidu if you love Hoysala temples.

From Chennai → Mysuru

Via Bengaluru interchange by rail/road


🛤️ Rail: ~7–11 hrs (typically via Bengaluru)
🚌 Bus: ~9–12 hrs (overnight coaches common)
✈️ Flight: MAA→BLR→surface to Mysuru

Tip: Overnight train/bus saves a day for temple circuits.

From Coimbatore / Ooty (Nilgiris) → Mysuru

Via Bandipur–Gundlupet forest corridor (time-bound)


🚌 Bus: ~4–7 hrs (origin & forest window dependent)
🚗 Drive: ~4–6 hrs; check night forest movement restrictions

Tip: Forest road timings change seasonally—verify before travel.

From Hyderabad → Mysuru

Via Bengaluru hubs by rail/bus/flight + surface


🛤️ Rail: ~12–16 hrs (typically via Bengaluru)
🚌 Bus: ~12–16 hrs (overnight best)
✈️ Flight: HYD→BLR→surface to Mysuru

Tip: Break the journey at Bengaluru if adding urban temples.

From Hassan / Belur–Halebidu → Mysuru

Interior heritage belt connector


🚌 Bus: ~2.5–4 hrs (town frequency varies)
🚗 Drive: ~2–3 hrs

Tip: Nice add-on before Somnathpur & palace-area shrines.

From Kodagu (Madikeri) / Mandya → Mysuru / Talakadu

Kaveri-side connectors; sand-dune zone near Talakadu


🚌 Bus: ~2–5 hrs (origin dependent)
🚗 Drive: ~1–3.5 hrs; check river-level advisories in monsoon

Tip: Talakadu sands get hot by midday—aim for mornings/evenings.

Key Drop Points & Bases

Choose per your temple circuit


✈️ Airports: Mysuru (MYQ – limited), Bengaluru (BLR – main gateway)
🛤️ Railheads: Mysuru Jn (city core), Nanjangud Town (for Srikanteshwara)
🚌 Bus Stands: Mysuru KSRTC Suburban, Nanjangud
📍 Bases: Mysuru city (Chamundi/palace shrines), Nanjangud, Bannur/Talakadu (sand-temples), Somnathpur (Hoysala)

Move within city by auto/taxi; group nearby shrines to minimize hops.

⏱️ Travel times vary by season and festivals (Mysuru Dasara). Carry water, modest attire, easy slip-on footwear, and check temple/ASI hours—especially for Somnathpur and palace-side shrines.

Temples in Mysuru District balance living worship and heritage stonework—Chamundeshwari watching over the city, riverside vows at Nanjangud Srikanteshwara, filigreed Hoysala art at Somnathpur Chennakesava, and the sand-swept shrines of Talakadu (Vaidyanatheshwara & Kirtinarayana). Within the palace precincts, Trineshwaraswamy, Lakshmiramana, and Prasanna Krishnaswamy offer calm city darshan. Plan dawn/evening visits for softer light and cooler weather, dress modestly, use footwear racks, and keep phones on silent. Follow temple/ASI etiquette—no touching carvings, drones restricted, and photography varies by shrine. In monsoon, check river levels for Talakadu; during Mysuru Dasara expect larger crowds and special sevas. Base in Mysuru (or Nanjangud/Somnathpur for a quieter stay), group nearby shrines to reduce transit, and leave a little unplanned time—Mysuru rewards slow, devotional circuits.