Mysore: A Royal Sojourn in South India

Mysore, located in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, is a city steeped in rich history and royal grandeur. It is renowned for its opulent palaces, vibrant festivals, and a sense of regal charm that continues to enchant visitors. The Mysore Palace, also known as the Amba Vilas Palace, is the city's most iconic landmark. This splendid architectural masterpiece is a fusion of Indo-Saracenic and Dravidian styles, with intricate carvings, stained glass, and a breathtaking Durbar Hall.

Mysore is famous for the Dasara festival, a grand celebration of the victory of good over evil. The city comes alive with processions, cultural performances, and the illumination of the palace. Chamundi Hill, crowned by the Chamundeshwari Temple, offers panoramic views of the city and is a place of religious significance. The Brindavan Gardens, with its musical fountain, is a tranquil spot to unwind.

The city's bustling Devaraja Market is a treasure trove of spices, silk, and traditional Mysore sandalwood products. Mysore is a city that effortlessly blends tradition and modernity, and its royal heritage is reflected in every facet of life. It's a destination that invites visitors to step into a world of elegance, history, and cultural celebration.

Tourist Places in Mysore

Brindavan Garden

Brindavan Gardens is one of the most beautiful gardens in Mysore and a center of tourist attraction. This garden was constructed during the period of Krishnaraja Wodeyar. It is built across the Cauvery river and below the Krishnarajasagar dam. The garden is decorated with huge lawns and various kaleidoscopical courses of flowers. The main attractive feature of the garden is the 'dancing fountain'. The lighting of the garden during Dussehra is done every day and on other days from 7 pm to 8.45 pm.

Chamundeshwari Temple

The Chamundeswari Temple is situated on a hill in the neighborhood of Mysore. Krishnaraja III during the latter part of the 18th century built this temple tower. He gifted the Nakshatramalika jewel which has Sanskrit poesies engraved on it. The temple is adorned with various epitomes of Nandi. The colossal Nandi is 15 feet wide and 24 feet long and was made during the reign of Dodda Devaraja. It also has a seven-floor 'gopuram'. The idol of the Goddess is made of gold and the entrance with shining silver. The dumbfounding construction appeals to the visitors' aesthetic senses.

Somnathpur Temple

Somnathpur temples in Karnataka are the windows to the rich historical past of Karnataka. As soon as you lay eyes on these temples you will notice that there is an exceptional kind of stillness in these temples making them eternal. Somnathpur is one of the most ancient villages of Karnataka thus earning it the name of heritage destination. At a distance of 40 km from Mysore and 180 km from Bangalore, the rural town is famous for its splendid and grand Keshava temple that has been built in the Hoysala style.

Lalitha Mahal Palace

Built-in 1921 by Maharaja Krishna Raja Wodeyar Bahaddur IV, this palace initially housed royal guests. Designed by EW 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.

Mysore Palace

The Maharaja's palace in Mysore is the epitome of grandeur and extravagance that was during the British Raj. Domes, parapet balconies, verandahs, minarets, cupolas, and arches combine harmoniously to make the structure a veritable masterpiece of lasting beauty. Built-in the Indo-Saracenic style on the exterior, but retaining the native Dravidian style, it was designed by the British architect Henry Irwin. The palace is illuminated from 7 pm to 8 pm on Sundays including public holidays and also during all the ten days of the Dussehra celebrations.

Palace of the Maharaja

Maharaj Palace, once a seat of the government, the Maharaja's palace in Mysore is the epitome of grandeur and extravagance that was during the British Raj. In 1897 the old wooden palace was completely burnt down in a fire mishap during the princess's marriage. So a new palace had to be built to match the royal stature of the Wodeyars of Mysore who had succeeded in making Mysore state, the model state of British India.

Shopping in Mysore

Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam is the pond located near to Vandiyur Mariamman Temple and situated at a distance of about 2 km from the Meenakshi Amman Temple. Literally, Teppakulam means temple pond mainly used for devotional festivals. The tank is connected to the Vaigai River through an ingenious system of underground Channels. It has a total of 12 long stairs (steps) made of granite on all four sides. The temple as well as the stairs were built by the King Thirumalai Nayak. In the center of the tank there is a Mandapam called Maiya Mandapam (Central Mandapam) with Vinayakar temple and garden.