Lying on the western side of
Mysore District, Piriyapatna is a
taluk headquarters town at about 61 km west of
Mysore and 50 km east of
Madikeri. This prominent but tiny town is on the strategic trunk road from
Srirangapatna to Madikeri and
Kannur. (It is also spelt Periapatam and Periyapatam.)
Piriyapatna derived its name from a king named Periya. During the reign of
Tipu Sultan the place witnessed constant wars between Tipu Sultan and Kodagu rulers. Famous for tobacco, Piriyapatna has a tobacco processing center. Yellow granite found in this region is well suited for wall paneling and table tops. The Jain temple dedicated to Bhagawan Sheethalanatha and temples of Periyapattanadamma, Kannambadiamma and Kote Maramma are the major attaractions.
Anivalu is a Jain heritage center at about 20 km from Piriyapatna. The commercial town of
Kushalnagar is 20 km north-west. The Tibetan colony of
Bylakuppe lies close to this town.
Calicut Airport and
Mysore Junction Railway Station are the nearest access points. State Highway 21 and State Highway 88 pass through Piriyapatna.
