A land of grandeur! A land filled with richness in every form. A land of
glory which reaches out to you and pulls you into its folds and leaves you
with an enriching experience of an old world charm which one yearns for in
this day and age. Captivating, breathtaking, do these words do justice to
the capital city of the Wodeyars. The magnificent palaces, beautifully laid
out gardens and imposing architecture, sacred temples and institutions, the
richness of sandalwood and the aroma of incense sticks. All this just add
to the love story that this city builds around you when you step foot into
this magical paradise.
There’s just something about this place which beckons you to get into
the laidback mode. The grandeur the way of life, the old world charm weaves
you into its loop and promises you an experience worth your while an experience
which leaves you with a profound sense of contentment.
History
Mysore is thought to have been named after the demon Mahishur, who according
to legend was slain here by the goddess Durga. From 1400, Mysore was the main
city of the Hindu kings, the Wodeyars. The Wodeyars were under the Vijayanagar
Empire till it collapsed in 1565, upon which they declared themselves independent.
They ruled from Mysore ever since, till in 1956 the princely state joined the
Republic of India. There was a brief interlude though in the 18th century with
the power of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan in the ascendant, they could hardly resist
this rich kingdom, only 15 km from Srirangapatnam. However, on defeating Tipu,
the British handed Mysore back to the Wodeyar kings.
What to see
Blue Lagoon
Hire an auto from Brindavan Gardens to this picturesque island created in the
backwaters of the KRS Dam. But be careful when stepping in there are tiny whirlpools.
Blue Lagoon is 2 km from KRS Dam.
Kukkaranahalli Lake
For more fun by the waters, drive to this lake in Manasa Gangotri. Frequented
by bird watchers, water sport enthusiasts and nature lovers, it offers boating
facilities. The lake is close to the railway station and the city bus stand,
so commuting is easy.
Karanji Lake
At the foot of Chamundi Hills and close to the city center, the lake is home
to over 90 species of birds. It also houses India's largest walkthrough aviary.
There are boating facilities available. The lake is open all days except Tuesdays.
Krishna Raja Sagar Dam and Brindavan Gardens
You have just got to see these. About 15 km from the city, this dam has been
built across the Kaveri. The brain child of Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV and completed
with help from Sir. M. Vishwesharaya, it is still considered an engineering
marvel. The Brindavan Gardens are laid out below KRS, using the water from
the dam. Stay on till dusk, when the garden is lit up and the dancing fountains
begin their tricks.
Jayachamrajendra Zoological Gardens
One of the best and largest zoos in India, the JZG has more than 2,000 species
of animals and birds. It has reproduced some rare and endangered animals in
captivity. The zoo is open 8 am-5pm and it is about 15 km northeast of Mysore
city on the Mysore-Bangalore State Highway.
Mysore Palace
Mysore's biggest attraction, this was from where the Wodeyars ruled over their
thriving empire. Don’t miss out on the main Durbar Hall (Diwan-e-Khas)
and the Personal Durbar Hall, the paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Siddalinga
Swamy and K. Venkatappa are rare visual treats.
You can visit the palace daily between 10 am and 5.30 pm. Photography is prohibited
and shoes have to be left outside. The palace is lit up entirely between 7
pm and 8 pm on Sundays and public holidays and also during the 10 days of
Dasara celebrations.
Jaganmohan Palace and Art Gallery
Take a peek at the state and personal memorabilia of the Wodeyars and a collection
of rare musical instruments. The Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery attached to
the palace has a rich haul of Ravi Varmas and Roerichs. You can also see traditional
gold leaf paintings of Mysore. The Jaganmohan Palace, incidentally, was built
in 1861 as an auditorium for the royal family.
Talakad
Once the capital of the Ganga Dynasty, the Archeological Survey of India is
now unearthing a whole lot of temples submerged in the sands of the Kaveri
here. The river bank makes an ideal picnic spot. There is also a temple to
Shiva as Vaidyeshwara.
Chunchanakatte Falls
Watch the Aghanashini River create this water cascade which screams down from
a height of about 450 feet. It is near Yellapur, 19 km from Mysore. Called
Mini Niagara, Gokak Falls is another pretty sight. Though only a 170 feet
fall, it is famous for its spread and shape. The Falls must be visited in
July-August when it is in full force.
Getaways
Srirangapatnam
Also known as Seringapattanam, this was the island- fortress city that also
served as the capital of the Kingdom of Mysore. It was from this city that
the great Tipu Sultan ruled a major part of south India. About 15 km northeast
of Mysore, the city was built on the Kaveri River. Not much remains of the
old fort now, because it was razed to the ground by the British Army before
Independence. The fort holds the dungeon where Tipu during his heydays held
British officers captive. There is an old mosque and the Sri Rangaswamy Temple.
Daria Daulat Bagh, Tipu’s summer palace with its frescoes is definitely
worth a dekko.
Kabini River Resort
Kabini , River flows about 80 km away from Mysore through the wonderful Karapur
forest. It used to be the hunting grounds for the erstwhile rulers of Mysore.
The old hunting bunglow has now been renovated by the Karnataka Tourism department
and is the Kabini River Resort, rated among the five top wildlife resorts
in the world by Tattler’s Travel Guide. You can watch the deer and the
elephants coming down to the waters for a drink. And if you are really lucky
you can spot the tigers. The best time to visit the place is between October
and March, though the park is open all year round.
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
About 20 km from Brindavan Gardens, the bird sanctuary is on the backwaters
of the Kaveri. Nature has created miniature islands on the water as a perch
for migratory birds from as far off as Siberia and North America. May and
September are the best months for bird watching. Accommodation is available
at Ranganathittu in the form of three riverside cottages.
Bandipur National Park
A national game reserve on the road to Ooty, Bandipur straddles across the
neighbouring states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. If luck (plenty of it) is on
your side, then the park’s elephants, tigers, and cheetahs may give you
darshan. Otherwise be content with deer, boars and bisons. The best time to
visit is between April and October. You can opt for the elephant safari organised
by the park authorities. 
Shivanasamudra
Drive 85 km east of Mysore to see the Kaveri plunge down a 75-m deep gorge
in the form of two waterfalls, Gaganachukki and Bharachukki. These falls are
at their glorious best during the monsoons.
Bhimeshari
If in mood for some angling, then try trapping the darting mahseers at Bhimeshwari.
River Kaveri meanders mysteriously through the forests and perched on its
banks is the Cauvery Fishing and Nature Camp. The waters are home to the great
mahaseer, one of the most challenging and the largest tropical sporting river
fish known to man. Bhimeshwari is 82 from Mysore.
Dining Out
Mysore is home to some hot and spicy concoctions. Treat your taste buds
to the hot and sweet sambars called huli, the bisebelle baath, the signature
sweet Mysore Pak and the wafer thin dosas.
Walk into Bombay Tiffanys, among the best places in Mysore to go sweet shopping.
Gopika Restaurant and Om Shanthi are the local favourites for vegetarian delicacies.
For Kerala fish curry, walk into Dynasty on Sri Harsha Road.
Shilpashri Restaurant & Bar at Gandhi Square is the ideal eat-out if you
feel like digging into a Continental breakfast.
Shopping
Mysore silk is world famous. The saris come in jewel colours laced with a
thin gold border. The cost depends upon the amount and purity of gold and
the weight of the silk. You can buy these at the Government Silk Factory (Lakshmibai
Road) or the showrooms in Manandavadi Road and the shopping area of KR Circle.
Government Silk Factory (Mananthody Road, Ashokapuram) is open Monday through
Saturday. You can see weavers at work and buy the silk you want from the small
shop inside the factory.
Mysore also makes articles of sandalwood, rosewood and teakwood. These include
figurines of gods and goddesses, jewel boxes, table tops, and furniture. Stone
carving, gold-leaf painting and ganjifa painting (painting on leather) are
other local arts. The Cauvery Handicrafts Emporium run by the Karnataka Handicrafts
Development Corporation is an ideal place for buying handicrafts and artifacts.
The Government Sandalwood Oil factory is where oil is extracted and incense
made. You can visit this place from Mon - Sat (0800 - 1700). This shop sells
soaps, incense sticks etc.
Visiting
Mysore enjoys a moderate climate. The summer maximum and minimum temperatures
are 33C and 21C, while the winters promise to be a very pleasant experience.
Most of the city’s rainfall occurs between June and October. The ideal
time therefore is from October to March. If you come around October, you can
be part of the famed Dussehra festival. The now defunct Rajah winds his way
across the city in a royal grand procession with much fanfare and trumpeting
never mind his plebeian status!
Tourist Offices
the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) office is
on Irwin Road, in the Old Exhibition Building. It is open Monday to Sunday
from 10 am to 5:30 pm.
Tel: 442096. Fax: 441833. It has branches at the railway station and the
main bus stand.
How to get there
Air
Mysore doesn’t get any air traffic. The nearest airport at Bangalore
is quite well connected to the rest of the country and to some places abroad.
The distance is very easily covered; there’s a host of rail and road
options to choose from.
Rail
More than four trains ply between Bangalore and Mysore everyday. Mysore is
pretty well connected to the rest of the local area and it also has weekly
connections to Chennai and Mumbai.
Road
Mysore is quite close to the southern border of Karnataka. Road distances
are really more manageable from tourist places in northern Tamil Nadu and
Kerala than to a place in even central Karnataka. There are buses plying all
around, deluxe, super deluxe, express and super fast. It is also possible
to hire chauffeur driven cars, which would make the longer journeys a little
less never-ending and tedious.
