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You are here Home » Top Destinations » Mysore Karnataka
Honeymoon in Mysore, Karnataka, India![]() ![]() About Mysore Once the capital of the Wodeyar kingdom, the jewel of Karnataka; Mysore is a mammoth, magnificent tourist paradise. A city of much splendor, it has gorgeous palaces, beautiful parks, wonderful museums and art galleries, dams, reservoirs and temples. Wide stretches of tree lined avenues enveloped with the aroma of jasmine; jacaranda and frangipani permeate the air. This easy-going city is famous for its silk and is also a thriving sandalwood and incense centre. HISTORYWith the traditional founding of the Mysore dynasty, in 1399 A.D. by Yaduraya, Mysore has seen 25 rulers. However with the emergence of Raja Wodeyar in 1578 A.D. Mysore inherited and perpetuated the traditions of the Vijayanagara Kingdom. With Srirangapatna as capital, Mysore grew into a large and powerful kingdom. But in 1761 it slipped into the hands of Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan. A virtually short rule, Srirangapatna was captured by the British in 1799 and the British again restored the Wodeyars to the throne. A long reign devoid of power, it was only during Chamaraja Wodeyars rule that the administration of the state was handed back to the Sovereign, aided by the British Resident in Mysore. CULTUREAs the capital of the Mysore State and the seat of the Wodeyars who were generous patrons of art, Mysore was heaven for men of literature, art music and dance. However, the abolition of Privy Purse put both patron and artist out of tune and Mysores status as a cultural centre waned. Yet, many cultural festivity performances by leading exponents in the field of music and dance are held in the Palace. FOODTypical Karnataka cuisine is spicy with liberal doses of coconut in some ways very similar to authentic Maharashtrian food. The staple is ragi and is shaped into cakes and steamed, then served with a huli a close cousin of the fiery sambar! Delectable offerings to pamper the sweet tooth are the creamy payasam and the rich Mysore pak. A 'must-try' is the legendary Mysore Masala Dosai stuffed with braised potatoes and onions, served with assorted condiments. SHOPPINGSandalwood, silks and handicrafts? If that's your shopping focus, then of course, Mysore is the place to be. But these obvious and traditional buys apart, there is also rosewood, ivory carvings, silk fabrics and sandalwood oil, soaps and incense sticks. CauveryArts And Crafts Emporium. ENTERTAINMENTChamundi HillPerched at a height of 1,050 m, Chamundi Hill is the abode of Goddess Chamundeswari - the patron goddess of the Wodeyar family. This temple gets its name from Goddess Kali or Chamundi, the consort of Shiva. The temple is a charming quadrangular structure with a towering 40 m high gopuram that is a landmark from several miles. A huge stucco figure of Mahisasura 3 1/2 m tall welcomes you at the entrance. Built in the 12th century, the temple is a fine representation of the Dravidian school of architecture. Its 1000 steps to the top, but take heart, there is a path to the top too. The temple is open 6.00 am to 2.00 pm, 3.30 pm to 6.30 pm and 7.30 pm to 9.00 pm. Pleasant for a half-day excursion. Entry Rs 10. Close by is the Godly Museum. Aptly titled, it houses a collection of exhibits that depict a good many moral lessons. You are told that you were probably here 5,000 years ago since everything in the universe repeats itself. En route is a stunning Nandi temple, which boasts of a 5 m high monolithic statue of Lord Shiva's revered bull. Carved out of a single stone in 1659, it is believed to be the largest in India, commissioned by Dodda Deva Raja, a devout Wodeyar king. Lalitha Mahal PalaceBuilt in 1921 by Maharaja Krishna Raja Wodeyar Bahaddur IV, this palace initially housed royal guests. Designed by E W Fritchley, an English architect, the palace is today a five-star hotel. Now a popular venue for local film shoots and other social gatherings, a visit to the palace may help you understand the mystique of royal Mysore. Folklore MuseumLocated in the Mysore University Campus, this museum has a spectacular collection of more than 6,500 unique folklore exhibits. Wooden figures from Karnataka villages, wooden and leather puppets and other interesting items from various villages around Karnataka are on display. Don't miss the carved wooden chariot. The first of its kind in India, the Rail Museum was set up in 1979. Situated at Krishnaraja Sagar Road, the museum sets a good pattern for regional display and has a good collection. The highlight here is the Chamundi Gallery that showcases a unique and interesting collection of photographs and paintings depicting the development of the railways. Don't miss the Sri Ranga Pavilion, which has two royal coaches. They belonged to the Maharaja of Mysore and have a certain old-world charm about them, harking back to a time when royalty travelled in splendour. Most of the exhibits in the museum once graced the Mysore palace. Of particular interest is the Maharani's saloon carriage that boasts of a kitchen, dining car unit and a royal toilet dating back to 1899. One of the first steam engines built, it is indeed remarkably well kept. There is also a battery-operated mini-train, which takes you for a fancy ride along the grounds. General Information of Mysore LOCATIONLocated at the tip of Karnataka, 140 km southwest of Bangalore. How to Reach By AirMysore does not have an airport; the nearest one is at Bangalore (140 km). However, Mysore has an IA counter next to Hotel Mayura Hoysala . IA and Jet have flights connecting Bangalore to all major cities in India like Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai, Goa and more. International flights to and from the Middle East operate from Bangalore as well. By RailYet again the best route to connect to Mysore by rail is via Bangalore. Bangalore has four express trains daily to and from Mysore. The Shatabdi Express connects Mysore with Chennai. Railway Station: Located on J L B Road, northwest of the city centre, 1 km from the main shopping area on Sayaji Rao Road. By RoadConnected by state highways, which in turn connect to national highways leading to and from all major cities in the country. Karnataka Road Transport Corporation and private bus corporations operate deluxe and regular buses to and from Srirangapattana (15 km), Somnathpur (35 km), Bandipur (80 km), Nagarhole (96 km) and Bangalore (140 km). Central Bus Stand: Located on the Mysore-Bangalore road, northeast of the city centre. CLIMATEA moderate climate ensuring pleasant weather throughout the year. The summer maximum and minimum temperatures are 33?C and 21?C, while the winter high and low are 28?C and 18?C. Tourist Attractions in Mysore Mysore Palace
St. Philomenas Church One of the largest churches in the country, this is built in the Gothic style, and has beautiful stained glass windows and is full of bird song, from the resident pigeons and sparrows. Shivanasamudram The place is well known for its beautiful twin waterfalls, Gaganachukki and Bharachukki, which plunge about 60m down. It is better to visit the place during the rainy season to enjoy the beauty of the fall. Brindavan Gardens ![]() These tranquil ornamented gardens are laid out below the immense Krishnaraja Sagar dam. The Gardens are a popular picnic spot and are illuminated in the evenings. Also, the musical fountains and colorful lights, turn this place into an enchanting fairyland in the evenings. Ranganathittyu 4 kms from Srirangapatnam and 18 kms from Mysore, Ranganathittyu is an exotic bird sanctuary that allows a close view of exotic and familiar birds, such as the white ibis, open billed stork and cormorants. One can also come across crocodiles that resemble mud banks. Migratory birds from as far as make Ranganathittyu as their home, between June and October. Srirangapatnam The place is an island town, surrounded by the River Cauvery. The town makes its name from Sri Ranganathaswamy, the presiding deity who is enshrined in one of the oldest Dravidian temples in the state. Chamundi Hills
Cauvery Fishing Camp At Bhimeshwari, the Cauvery Fishing Camp is a paradise for anglers, where mahaseer is found in abundance. Fishing is only for fun and the fish has to be returned to the river by the angler. This camp is also accessible from Bangalore. Others BILIGIRIRANGA BETTA - A pleasant hill station, Biligiriranga Betta is also a wildlife camp, run by the Forest Department. Right on top of the hill, stands the Biligirangaswamy Temple, from which the hill takes its name. A ratha festival is held every January and April. |