MYSORE

ABOUT MYSORE:

• Majestic Mysore, the city of palaces and parks is the ‘cultural capital’ of Karnataka.
• Historical town has legendary origins and its name is said to be derived from the word “Mahishasurana Ooru”, which means the town of Mahishasura.
• According to a mythological legend, Mahishasura, the demon king, once lived here and was killed by Goddess Chamundeshwari.
• Ganga kings ruled here till 10^th century and were succeeded by the Cholas, Hoysalas and the Vijayanagar kings.
• Mysore became the glories capital of the Wodeyar’s, feudatories of the Vijayanagar Empire, who declared independence in 16^th century with the decline of Vijayanagar Empire.
• Wodeyar rule was disrupted for some time, when Hyder Ali took over the reigns of Mysore in 1765.
• Tipu Sultan, developed the kingdom rapidly, but was defeated by the British in 1799 and Mysore was given back to the Wodeyar’s.

MODE OF COMMUNICATION:

• Airport: Bengaluru International Airport, Bengaluru (BLR), 139 kms away from Mysore city.
• Rail: Mysore Railway Station, Mysore, 2.5 kms away from Mysore city centre.
• Road: Well connected by road.

ATTRACTIONS OF MYSORE

• Mysore Palace:
  • Magnificent three storeyed palaces in the heart of the town.
  • It was built between 1897-1912 on the foundation of an old palace which was partially destroyed in a fire in 1897.
  • Palace has splendid square towers at cardinal points, crowned with domes.
  • Main attractions are – ‘Durbar Hall’ with its ornate ceiling and sculpted pillars and the Kalyanamandapam (Marriage Pavilion), noted for its chandeliers, cast-iron pillars, Belgian stained glass arranged in peacock designs in the domed ceilings and glazed tiled flooring.
  • Palace is also known for its rich collection of priceless articles like, a golden howdah (elephant seat), fine paintings and a 200 kg gold throne encrusted with precious stones.
  • About 97,000 electric bulbs light up the palace in the evening on Sunday, Public Holidays and during the Dassara celebrations.

• Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery:
  • Art Gallery is housed in the Jaganmohan Palace, one of the most beautiful buildings of Mysore.
  • A museum established here in 1915, has a fine collection of ceramics, sandalwood, ivory, stone, antique furniture and ancient musical instruments.
  • It also treasures valuable art collection like traditional Mysore gold leaf paintings and paintings of renowned artists like Travancore ruler, Raja Ravi Varma and the Russian painter Svetoslav Roerich etc.

• Rail Museum:
  • Exhibits locomotives and coaches of the erstwhile royal family of Mysore.
  • There are also paintings and photographs describing the story of the railways.

• Folklore Museum:
  • Museum at Jayalakshmi Vilas mansion has a rich collection of over 650 folklore articles.
  • It is perhaps the biggest of its kind in Asia.

• Mysore Zoo or Sri Jayachamrajendra Zoological Gardens:
  • It was set up in 1892, during the rule of Chamrajendra Wodeyar.

• St. Philomen’s Cathedral:
  • Imposing twin towered Gothic structure with beautiful stained glass windows.

 ATTRACTIONS AROUND MYSORE

• Lalitha Mahal Palace:
  • 9 kms away from Mysore city centre.
  • Charming white coloured double storeyed palace was built by Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar in 1931, to accommodate the royal guests from overseas.
  • It has now been converted into a luxurious heritage hotel.

• Chamundi Hill:
  • 13 kms away from Mysore city centre.
  • Chamundeshwari Temple perched atop the hill is believed to be 2,000 years old, but the present structure dates back to 11^th century.
  • It is dedicated to Goddess Chamundi, the patron deity of the Wodeyar’s.
  • On the half way up there is a 4.8 metres tall monolith of ‘Nandi’, the bull, carved out of a single black rock.
  • There is also a gigantic statue of Mahishasura atop the hill, which was vanquished in the battle by Goddess Chamundi.

• Brindavan Gardens & Krishnarajasagar Dam:
  • 19 kms away from Mysore city centre.
  • Massive dam near the confluence of Kaveri, Hemavathi and Lakshamanatirtha Rivers.
  • It was designed and constructed by the famous architect M. Vishveswaraya in 1932, during the regin of Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV.
  • Dam is about 2621 metres long and 39 metres high, while the reservoir covers an area of 130 sq. kms.
  • Beautiful terraced Brindavan Garden, built at the foot of the dam is famous for its illumination and musical water fountains.
  • Well-lit gardens in the evenings look like a fairyland.

• Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary:
  • 16 kms away from Mysore city.
  • A rich variety of water birds like cormorant, egrets and spoonbills etc.
  • Sanctuary is mainly known for herons, who visit the islands for nesting and breeding.
  • Their chicks are generally hatched in July and August.
  • Best time to visit May to November.

• Srirangapattana:
  • 16 kms away from Mysore city.
  • 18^th century island capital of Haider Ali and his son Tipu Sultan is flanked by two branches of river Kaveri.
  • Battle scarred ramparts of the fort reflects the heroics of Tipu, who valiantly fought the British and delayed their hegemony over Mysore.
  • Within the fort are a mosque and the magnificent Ranganatha – swamy temple, dating back to 9^th century, an evidence of secular and tolerant nature of Tipu.
  • Tipu Sultan’s summer palace, Daria Daulatbagh and his mausoleum are located outside the fort.
  • Palace is noted for its gilded wall panels, ornate arches and 18^th century frescoes.

• Somnathpur:
  • 35 kms away from Mysore city.
  • Sacred Somnathpur is one of the three jewels of Hoysala temple architecture; the other two are Belur and Halebid.
  • Prassana Chennakesava Temple here was built in 1268.
  • Built during the reign of king Narasimha III, at the instance of his minister Somanatha Dandanayaka.
  • Like other Hoysala shrines, it is set on a raised plinth with a star shaped ground plan, but unlike the Belur and Halebid temples, it was actually completed.
  • Temple complex has a triple – shrine (trikutachala), each with its own stunningly beautiful vimana and sukhanasi (vestibule) and a spacious common navaranga mandapa.
  • Outer walls are exquisitely carved narrating episodes from Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagvatha.

• Kabani River Lodge:
  • 80 kms away from Mysore city.
  • Jungle resort on the eastern fringes of famous Nagarhole Sanctuary has emerged as a popular tourist destination.
  • Lush forest along the Kabani River teems with wildlife and birds and a nature lovers paradise.

• Talakkad:
  • 45 kms away from Mysore city.
  • Historic and religious centre on the left bank of Kaveri was the capital of Gangas from 5^th to 10^th century.
  • In 1116, Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana attacked Talakkad, under the Cholas and attained victory.
  • Celebrate his victory, Vishnuvardhana built five temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu, one of them is the Kirtinarayan temple.
  • Talakkad is also known for the five Shivalinga or the ‘Panch lingas’ enshrined in beautiful temples.

• Sivasamudram:
  • Island town endowed with exceptional scenic beauty is 44 kms from Mandya and 80 kms from Mysore.
  • Famous for the two picturesque falls – Gaganachukki and the Bharacukki created by the branches of river Kaveri.
  • Ranganatha and Someshwara Shiva temple are two important shrines of the island.

• Melukote:
  • 48 kms away from Mysore city.
  • Melukote or the ‘High Fort’ is well known for the Panchanarayana temples.
  • Five shrines dedicated to Lord Vishnu and built by the Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana.
  • Famous Cheluvarayaswami temple atop Yadavagiri hill enshrines a fine statue of Lord Vishnu, holding the Shanku (conch), Chakra (a dise like weapon) and a Gadha (mace).

• Billigiri Rangana (B R) Hills:
  • B R Hills are a delight for wildlife, trekking and adventure sports enthusiasts.
  • Terrain is dotted with peaks and hill top temples.
  • Billigiri Rangana Temple dedicated to Lord Rangaswamy is the most important shrine.
  • Ratha (chariot) festival is held here in April.
  • Other places worth seeing are – Dadda Sampige Mara, the 2,000 year old giant tree and BRT Wildlife Sanctuary.

• Bandipur National Park:
  • 80 kms away from Mysore city.
  • Sprawls in the foothills of the Nilgiris and is one of the finest wildlife centres in the country.
  • Park was set-up in 1931, by the Mysore Maharajas and was brought under the ‘Project Tiger’ in 1974.
  • Covers an area of 874.20 sq. kms, adjoining the famous Mudumalai sanctuary in Tamil Nadu and Wayanad sanctuary in Kerala.
  • Lush forest full of teak, rosewood, hone, mathi, bamboo and sandal trees teems with elephant, tiger, leopard, panther, dhole (wild dog), bison, spotted deer, sambar, crocodile, cobra, python etc.
  • Birds like peafowl, partridge, quail, hornbill, ibis, eagle etc. can be seen here.
  • Visitors can take a safari on an elephant back or hire a vehicle to go round the park.
  • Best time to visit May to June and September to November.