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Bangalore
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Mysore |
Coorg |
Mangalore |
Dharmastala
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Udipi |
Hospet |
Belgaum |
Bijapur
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Area : 7353000
sq.kms.
Altitude : 770 mts. About sea level
Language : Kannada, Hindi, English
770 mts. above sea level and 140 kms from Bangalore Mysore is the
second largest city in the state of Karnataka. This former capital
of the princely state was once the capital of the Wodeyars.Situated
in the southern part of the Deccan Plateau Mysore District is an
undulating tableland covered in parts by verdant forests. From
ancient times this district has played a significant role in the
history of South India. It is also the former province of Tipu
Sultan who was nicknamed the Tiger of Mysore. Until Independence
Mysore was the seat of the Maharajas of Mysore a princely state
covering about one-third of present-day Karnataka. The Maharajas’
Palace is a major tourist attraction.
Mysore was named after the mythical Mahisuru where the goddess
Chamundi slew the demon Mahishasura. The Mysore dynasty was founded
in 1399 but up until the middle of the 16th century its rulers the
Wodeyars were in the service of the Vijaynagar emperor. With the
fall of the empire in 1565 the Mysore rulers were among the first to
declare their independence.
It is a city of royal palaces sandalwood and flowers. The city’s
pleasant climate and beautiful parks has continued to serve as a
summer respite over the last 3000 years. The erstwhile capital of
the illustrious Wodeyar Kings it is an abode of untold grandeur and
glory. The rich royal heritage is carefully preserved in its
magnificent palaces beautifully laid out garden imposing buildings
broad avenues and sacred temples. There’s an old world charm about
the city that leaves none untouched.
The city of Mysore comes alive to gaiety and grandeur during the ten
days of Dussera in October. The legendary Dussera Procession of
caparisoned elephants prancing horses people in ceremonial uniforms
dancers in colourful costumes and beautiful tableau attracts people
from far and near.
Mysore today is a pleasant city with an old world charm contributed
by its broad shady avenues well laid out gardens fine buildings and
salubrious climate. It‘s a manageable size enjoys a good climate and
has chosen to retain and promote its heritage rather than palace.
The city is famous for its silk and is also a thriving sandalwood
and incense centre.
Places of attraction :-
The Mysore Palace:
Once the royal residence of the Wodeyars the palace is one of the
largest in India. It is also known as Amber Vilas. Henry Irwin
designed the palace in 1897 after a fire burnt down the old wooden
palace. The construction was completed in 1912 and is still
considered one of the most regal monuments in the Indo-Saracenic
style. Stained glass domes, doors, arches pillars and shining marble
floors the palace home to some enviable art treasures.
On the day of Dussera ( some time in October) a fabulous collection
of weapons , jewellery, paintings, ivory inlaid doors and an ornate
throne are on display. The palace has a selection of Hindu temples
within its grounds including the Shweta Varahaswamy Temple with its
gopuram ( Dravidian gateway tower) that influenced the style of the
later Sri Chamundeswari Temple on Chamundi Hill. The Residential
Museum incorporating some of the palace’s living quarters and
personal effects belonging to the Maharaja’s family. On Sunday night
and during the entire Dussehra festival there is a carnival
atmosphere around the palace.
The Maharaja’s Residence:
Near the tourist bazaar is a smaller and now acts as a museum.
Painting portraits and weapons are on display in the ground and
upper floors.
Chamundi Hill:
This is to the southeast of Mysore and easily visible from the
palace. The temple of Goddess Durga ( Chamundeswari) celebrates her
victory over the buffalo God. She is also the guardian deity you to
the giant Nandi bull carved in 1659. A towering seven storey 40mts.
High gopuram dominates the Chamundeswari Temple. There is a Godly
museum near the car park.
St. Phelomena’s Church:
Built in the Gothic style is one of the largest churches in the
country and has beautiful stained glass windows. Built between 1933
and 1941 in neo-Gothic style is one of the largest in the country
and has some impressive stained glass.
Brindavan Gardens:
These tranquil ornamental gardens laid out below the immense
Krishnaraja Sagar Dam are 19 kms northeast of Mysore. It is known
for its musical fountains and a riot of colourful flora which turns
it into a fairyland. Also include on your itinerary the Government
Sandalwood Factory and the Silk Factory (required prior permission).
The dam and its attractive gardens arranged around a series of
fountains and the highlight is the’dancing musical’ fountains 1.2
kms from the entrance.
Mysore Zoo:
Mysore has one of India’s better-kept zoos. Established in 1892 is
in the town centre. It has spacious enclosures where some of the
wild animals are bred in captivity.
Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple:
12 kms form Mysore built by the Hoysalas 800 years ago. The images
of Lord Ganesh and Devi and a Siva lingam are known for its unusual
style. Medical herbs and trees are found here.
Art Gallery:
The Jaganmohan Palace (1861) has been converted into a museum. The
Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery in the Jaganmohan Palace just west of
Mysore Palace has a collection of kitsch objects and memorabilia
from the Wodeyars including weird and wonderful musical machines
rare instruments and also houses the paintings of famous artists
like Ravi Varma and Roerich as well as traditional Mysore gold leaf
paintings. The palace was built in 1861 and served as a royal
auditorium.
Kukkarahalli Tank:
Situated next to Mysore University Campus the Manasagangotri has
lovely gardens. It is an ideal place of jogging.Boating is another
attraction of this picnic spot.
Devaraja Fruit & Vegetable Market:
This market stretches along the Western side of Sayyaji Rao Road
south of Dhanvanthri Road. It is one of the most colourful in India
and provides excellent subject material for photographers.
Rail Museum:
Mysore’s rail museum boasts a Maharani’s Salon carriage complete
with royal toilet dating from 1899. It is located west of the
railway station and is open from 8 am to 1 pm and 2pm to 6 pm daily.
Folklore Museum:
Northeast of the city centre inside the Mysore University Campus is
this museum housing superb collection of carved wooden figures from
Karnataka villages decorative mask a ceremonial head gear and a
display of Thogalu Bomba (Leather shadow puppets) used to perform
stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata. The performance style is
similar to the wayang kulit of Java in Indonesia. There are also
wooden puppets including one of a 140-headed demon Ravana. The
museum is open 10 am to 1.30 pm and 2.30 to 5.30 pm daily except
Sunday.
Srirangapatnam:
On the Bangalore road 16 kms from Mysore stand the ruins of Haider
Ali’s and Tipu Sultan’s capital from where they ruled much of
Southern India during the18th century.Srirangapatnam fell into the
British hands in 1799 with the help of disgruntled local leaders.
Built on a longish island in the Cauvery this forgotton capital has
a fortress ( Daria Daulat Bagh) and its highly decorated interior
now houses a museum with a motley collection of family memorabilia
and paintings depicting Tipu’s campaigns against the British. Inside
the fortress walls there is mosque and a temple of Sri
Ranganathaswamy. After the fall of Tipu it was the temporary home of
Colonel Arthur Wellesley. The Gumbaz (tomb) of Tipu and his father
Hyder Ali is 2 kms away.
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary:
It is one of the 3 islands in the Cauvery 3 kms upstream from
Srirangapatnam. It is accessible by a motorable road as well as by
boats; it is an enchanting place to visit and also a good place to
see storks, ibis, egrets, spoonbills and cormorants. The sanctuary
is open from 9 am to 6 pm daily.
Kabhi River Lodge:
Kabini River Lodge is a unique wildlife resort at karapur. It is
tucked in the southern most fringes of Karnataka’s Rajiv Gandhi
National Park. Once the hunting lodge of the erstwhile Maharaja of
Mysore Kabini is today one of the most exotic wildlife resorts in
the world. The kabini River Lodge is situated at Kartapur 220 kms.
From Bangalore and 80 kms. From Mysore on the Mysore-Mananthavadi
Road spread over an expanse of 55 acres.
Kabini River Lodge is just 200 kms. From Bangalore. It is a special
jungle resort for nature lovers where one can wake up to the
chirping of birds take an early morning coracle-ride partake
steaming hot meals at an open-to-winds thatched roof dining hall
take a jeep ride into the dense forest take a walk with a Naturalist
guide and sit around a camp-fire at dinner time and enjoy the local
dancing. A perfect prescription for frayed nerves!
The forest is home for herds of Elephants, Gaur, Chital, Sambar,
Barking Deer, Sloth Bears, Langurs, and Crocodiles and over hundred
species of birds. And what can be a better feast for the eyes than
the sighting of the most elusive cats-the leopard and the tiger.
Come watch the magic of nature unfold in tranquil wilderness. |
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