Ranganthittu: Birdwatchers' Paradise
Ranganthittu is the biggest bird
sanctuary of Karnataka and nearest to Bangalore. I planned to visit this
place on Sunday, March 17, 2013. Saturday I googled for some basic
information like, how to go, where to eat, what to see etc. While
googling I found that March is not the best time to visit the place. But
same time came across few reviews which gave me hope that I can expect
enough bird that won’t disappoint my visit.
The location is peaceful and you can spend some more time sitting on the bench under bamboo shade observing the birds flying and playing or lying down on the grass. There is a small Museum kind of setup also named after Salim Ali, the birdman of India.
As
I always prefer train over bus for travel, chose the rail route to
visit Ranganthittu. Charged my camera battery, checked my camera,
lenses, tripod and I was ready for the next morning train at 7:00 am.
Train
started on time from Bangalore. Felt little bored because most of the
people around were Kannada speaking and I was not able to interact with
them. The best part of the train journey was missing. As I looked out of
the train window, alternate swathe of agricultural fields and small
residential setups on both the sides of track rekindled me the
uncountable cherished childhood train journeys form Rosera (my home town in Bihar) to Khagaria (my Maternal home).
Because
of two crossings, train got delayed for 30 minutes and arrived at
Srirangpattna around 9:45 am. Got down and inquired a railways staff
who was showing flags to the trains. This Bengali chap gave me two
alternates to reach to the sanctuary.
Route -1 was
to walk along the railway track for around 800 meters in the same
direction that of the train, cross a little rail bridge over river
Kavery and reach to the Crossing. From the Crossing you
can get local private/state buses or hire an auto (auto won’t be
frequent from this point) or if you love walking, look at the weather
and continue your walk.
Route-2 was
to get out of the station negotiate with an autowala (I negotiated for
Rs. 80) and reach directly to the entrance of the bird sanctuary.
If you are visiting in group and want to have fun I would suggest Route-1. You
can have fun walking and balancing yourself on the rail and playing
with the stones. I can assure you of the fun because I had done this in
my childhood many a times and simply loved it. If you are alone or with
your family, you should choose Route-2.
The
main concern for commuting is, you shall rarely find auto from the bird
sanctuary to return back. If you just want to go there, do boating and
see the birds and return, the autowala will be ready to wait for an hour
without the waiting charges. And you could return in the same auto.
I
took Route-2 without any confusion and reached the sanctuary around
10:20 am. Entrance ticket costs for Rs. 50 and includes the camera
charges also. Walk along and see the directions to reach to the boating
point. The major thing to do there is boating. It will take you closer
to the birds, bats, fishes and crocodiles, sometime as close as few
hands distance.
Boating
Once
you reach the boating point, the boating guy will give two options.
First, Rs. 50 common boat for 8-10 people and second, a separate boat
for Rs. 1000. They will say that the common boating will end for some
15-20 minutes and the separate one for 40-45 minute. I would suggest go
for separate boat only if you need extreme privacy or visiting the
sanctuary on a professional photography tour.
Boating charges for foreigners is Rs. 300.
If
you are concerned about the duration of boating for common boat, then
here is the solution. The guy who will row the boat will ask for some
extra money and will insure you for the enough time. So Rs. 50 extra for
this.
Booked
boating ticket for Rs. 50 and reached to the boating point. Took out my
tour companion- Nikon D5100, an entry level DSLR, fit it with 70-300mm
lens (the max zoom lens I got) and I was ready.
Got
the front seat in the boat, good for taking pictures, as I can see and
move both sides as well as front. Saw and snapped Painted Stork,
Openbill Stork, Spoonbill Stork, Pied Kingfisher, Great Egret,
Great/Indian Cormorant, big fruit bats, Magar Crocodile and other birds.
It was nice moment to see Openbill Stork feeding its babies and
fortunately almost closely snapped it as well.
The boating went for some 30-40 minutes and finally I end up being a happy chap with some really good snaps.
The location is peaceful and you can spend some more time sitting on the bench under bamboo shade observing the birds flying and playing or lying down on the grass. There is a small Museum kind of setup also named after Salim Ali, the birdman of India.
There
is only one restaurant inside, with limited options. Unwillingly I got a
watery-mausambi juice glass. I felt good for keeping maggi
in by box and that served my stomach well. I would suggest to have
something to eat and don’t rely on the restaurant there.
During
boating I met Vignesh a mechanical engineer from Bangalore. Chatted for
a while and came to know that he will be returning to Bangalore on his
bike. Started around 1:30 pm with him and reached Bangalore around 5
taking multiple snacks and juice breaks. Thanks to him for the lift from
Ranganthittu to Bangalore.
How to Reach
From Mysore: Bus/Auto (Distance around 19 kms.)
From Bangalore:
Buses always available from satellite bus stand (Distance around 125 kms.).
Train: Srirangapatna is the nearest railway station (approx 5km from the sanctuary).
Very Informative ...Thanks for sharing your views.
ReplyDeleteGlad that you liked it. :)
Delete