Nanjangud is an important pilgrim centre, 23 kms south of Mysore. The Nanjundeshwara Temple here is built in the Dravidian style and is one of the biggest temples of its kind in Karnataka.

 35 kins east of Mysore, Somanathapur, is renowned for its 13th century Hoysala temple in honour of Channakeshava, Janardhana and Venugopala. Of the 3 most famous Hoysala temples in Karnataka, this was the last to be built in A.D. 1268. History states that the temple was commissioned by Somnath, a religious minister of the Hoysala King, Narasimha III. This beautiful temple with its star shaped base was conceived and created by Jana Kachari, perhaps the era's best architect and sculptor. The exterior walls have fine frescoes of passages from the Ramayana, the Mahabharatha and the Bhagvatha.

50 kms north, is the sacred pilgrim centre of Melkote. The Vaimudi Festival in March-April, attracts more than one lakh devotees. Melkote is also known for its handlooms.

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