Mysore

Overview:

Nestled at the foothills of the Chamundi Hills, it welcomes its tourists with a perfect blend of ethnicity and urbanization. According to the Hindu mythology, Mysore was once ruled by the demon Mahishasura, who was later slayed by Goddess Chamundeshwari on the Chamundi hill. Until the fifteenth century, the region of present-day Mysore was called Puragere. Having been ruled by many dynasties in the past – the Gangas, the Chalukya, the Cholas, the Hoysalas, and finally the Wodeyars, Mysore boasts of a rich historical background. Mysore is the second largest city in Karnataka. Apart from being the cultural capital of the state, it is also a popular getaway destination, thanks to its majestic edifices and shrines that charm people from across the country. Since Mysore was the capital of the region in the past, the city also houses many royal structures, earning it the name of the ‘City of Palaces’. Today, the city is also known for its high quality silk, stone sculptures, rosewood and sandalwood artifacts, and ivory inlays. The ‘City of Palaces’ attracts tourist from all over the country as well as from abroad, who come to visit its various sightseeing spots. Travelling from Bangalore to Mysore by car obviously makes commuting within the city fast and easy. A driver, who knows his way around the city, is an added advantage, as that would mean that people don’t have to ask for directions every few kilometers. Tourists holidaying in south India prefer hiring car rentals or cabs from Bangalore to Mysore as that makes for an economical and convenient option. Mysore is located at a distance of around 149 kilometers from Bangalore, which takes around 3-4 hours by road. People prefer to avail car rental services to travel to Mysore from Bangalore, as that ensures that they have a car at their service throughout the duration of their trip. Travelling by car gives them the opportunity to drink in the scenic beauty around while enjoying a relaxed journey. Taking a car from Bangalore to Mysore also makes for a feasible option as tourists might want to stop at multiple places to click photographs. There are a number of eateries on the way from Bangalore to Mysore where people can stop their cab to have some refreshments. It is better to opt for an air-conditioned cab to Mysore from Bangalore, especially in summers, when the weather is hot and humid.

Places of interest:

One of the famous religious places in Mysore is the Chamundi Temple perched atop the Chamundi. It boasts of a quadrangular structure with an intricately decorated pyramidal tower. Located 19 kilometers from the heart of the city, is the Brindavan Garden. It is situated below a dam built across the Cauvery River. Laid out meticulously, it boasts of beautiful lawns and shrubs. The garden is illuminated by dancing fountains in the evening, which creates the sight to behold. The most popular tourist attraction in Mysore, however, is the Mysore Palace. It has been converted into a museum and displays regal costumes, paintings, jewellery, souvenirs etc. Every evening, it is illuminated by hundreds of lights that add to its splendor and make it look even more imposing.

Built across the Cauvery River, and beautifully laid out near the Krishnaraja Sagar Dam - Vrindawan Gardens, is famous for its illuminated dancing fountains. The garden is at a distance of 24 kilometers from Mysore. Popular amongst the tourists visiting Mysore, the garden is enriched with terraces, lush green lawns, colorful flower beds, trees/shrubs and the famous musical fountains. The chief financial officer of Mysore Sir Mirza Ismail developed Brindavan Gardens in a terraced fashion as part of beautification of the Krishnaraja Sagar Dam.

Amongst the most prominent of the attractions of Mysore is the majestic Chamundi Hills. Rising up to a height of approximately 3,489 feet, the picturesque Chamundi Hills are believed to be the abode of the all powerful Goddess Chamundi or Chamundeshwari. The hills are renowned for the Chamundi Temple and the imposing 16 feet tall monolith statue of Nandi the bull, which are built in the Dravidian style of architecture. According to the Hindu mythology, the buffalo demon called Mahishasura made the hills his domain. Mahishasura gaining favor of the Gods was granted a boon so that no man could destroy him. People prayed to Goddess Shakti to absolve them of the tyrant demon. The goddess took the avatar of Chamundeshwari and killed Mahishasura. The shrine of the Goddess is located atop the hilltop. The oldest temple of Karnataka, The Mahabaleshwar Temple is also situated atop the Chamundi Hills.

The enchanting Mysore Palace, which is lit by thousands of lights in the evening; along with St Philomena’s Cathedral which is one of the oldest churches in India, is built on a plot granted by Maharaja KrishnarajaWodeyar III; are few of the other popular tourity spots. People can also visit the other tourist spots in Mysore by renting taxi cabs to avoid unnecessary hassles.

Things to do:

Tourists can spend an entire day relaxing and checking out the Vrindawan Gardens. The Garden is laid out in three terraces and is also an interesting botanical park. Ficus trees and flowering plants like bougainvillea, celosia, marigold etc can easily be spotted here. Apart from the natural wonders, visitors can also undertake and enjoy boat rides beneath the Krishnaraja Sagar Dam. A statue of Goddess Cauvery, fisheries pond, horticultural farm and nursery, the Hydraulic Research Station are some of the other well-visited features of the garden.

Preferentially visitors can visit the majestically picturesque Chamundi Hills for purposes of both religion and leisure. The top of the hills render panoramic views of Mysore city. Especially during the night an illusion of millions of stars twinkling below the hills is created when the entire city is lit up.

Numerous trekking paths are paved along the Chamundi hills. The adventure enthusiasts and nature admirers alike can enjoy the lush verdant beauty of nature while having fun with friends and family.

There are numerous restaurants and eateries which serve a wide variety of food, ranging from the local traditional savories to international cuisines. Anu’s Bamboo Hut, Pai Vista, Elements Bistro, VinayakaMylari, Dynasty and Tiger Trail are some of the prominent restaurants of Mysore.