Mysore

The headquarters of the district known by the same Mysore is situated about 139 km west of Bangalore. It was also the capital of the ancient rulers of Mysore. The archives allude that in their days the city was known as ‘Mysooru’. The district spreads over 6,269 sq. km. and has a population of 22,81,653 according to the 2001 census. Mysore has a number of places of historic importance. The Hoysalas and Chalukyas have made wonderful contributions, besided other great dynasties, to its richness through their extraordinary architecture and sculpture. They have constructed a number of wonderful temples with unique designs and ornate carvings all over the walls, pillars and towers. The circumambulatory parths are flanked by walls replete with friezes.

The Mysore Palace which can always be seen brimming with overwhelmed visitors is a grand structure with some extraordinary elements. There are magnificent temples inside the palace. There is also a good collection of exquisite paintings. The scenic Chamundi Hills owes its name to the ‘Chamundeswari Temple’. The deity of this temple had been adored and worshipped by the royal family for over 2000 years. The Mahabala Temple and the huge Nandi offers a unique experience.

Mysore Zoo
This zoo at Mysore known as Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens attracts a number of visitors. The zoo has a good collection of animals and birds of the world. This gardens spread over 37 hectares of verdant land.

The Mysore Palace
The magnificent palace built in 1897 incorporates a number of overwhelming features. The courtyard contains a gorgeous garden and exclusively architectural temples dedicated to Goddess Gayatri, Lord Gopalakrishna, Navagraha, the controllers of all the happenings on earth. The exquisite art and paintings, ancient swords which the kings and soldiers of the olden days wielded against their enemies, crystal furniture and such like items in the palace takes the imagination of the visitors to hitherto unexplored dimensions. The portals with astounding workmanship are in an ideal location to view the crest of the temple coated with 18 carat gold. There is also a ‘Kalyana Mandapa’ or ‘Marriage Hall’ adorned with fabulous murals depicting scenes of the famous Dasara procession. The present structure called Amber Vilas with parts of it repaired and parts reconstructed since a devastating fire broke out causing damage to the ancient structure, was the brainchild of Henry Irwin who combined the Hindu and the Arabian style of architecture.

Mysore Arts and Crafts Emporium:
Alluring articles of handicrafts are displayed and sold here. The curious purchases have a large variety to choose from, which include intricately carved products of ivory and sandalwood, lacquer toys, handloom silk, porcelain and a clay articles. It is situated on the Mahatma Gandhi Road.

Brindavan Gardens and Krishnaraja Sagar Dam
This picturesque garden has been conscientiously laid out in a beautiful cascade. The gardens have a profusion of brightly coloured blossoms, enchanting fountains, musical fountains and slides and swings for children who can always be seen roistering in the place. These gorgeous fountains are equipped with special lights which make them a sumptuous feast to the hungry eyes. An enthralling glimpse of the illuminated gardens can be had between 19.00 and 19.55 hours on weekdays and between 19.00 and 20.55 hrs on Sundays.

The magnificent Krishnaraja Sagar Dam built across the beautiful river Cauvery extends to 3000 m in length and 40 m in width. The serene sheet of waters in the reservoir created by the dam spreads over an expanse of 130 sq. kn. and is ideally situated for pleasure boating. The construction of this huge dam, one of the biggest in South India, took 20 long years from 1911 to 1931. This dam takes care of the water supply to the Simsa Hydroelectric Power Project at Sivasamudram.It is situated 22 km from the Mysore city, 16 km from Srirangapatnam and 153 km from Bangalore.

Chamundi Hill
Atop this beautiful hill 1095 m in altitude stands a marvelous temple built by Krishnaraja Wodeyar III. The presiding deity here is Goddess Chamundeswary who killed the demon Mahishasur to save the humanity. The idol of the Goddess had been the personal property of the royal family for 2000 years before it was installed here. The Gopuram or the portal tower is 7 storeyed and 40 m height. An old and a new image, side by side, of the demon Mahishasur can also be seen on the Gopuram along with numerous other images.

Mahabala Temple
Close to the beautiful Chamumdi Hills, this ancient temple was built during the 10th century. It is learnt that it was formerly known as ‘Marabala Betta’. A huge monolithic Nandi, the scared Bull of Lord Siva, which measures 16ft*25ft ft with an ornamental chain around the neck with a bell attached to it can be seen on the way to the temple.

The Lake of Thousand Lights:
It is so named because thousand lights are lit during the ‘Teppotsava’ or the ceremonial sailing of the ‘Holy Raft’. The grand festival with a thousand light illuminations leaves the onlooker awe-struck. This occurs on the full moon day during the Dasara season in the beautiful evening with the Sun filling the sky with crimson. This lake is situated on the east of Chamundi hills.

Talkad
About 30 km southeast of Somnathpur on the way to Sivasamudram, this historic place, which is now the headquarters of the Taluk was the ancient capital of the Ganga and the Chola Kings. The ‘Pancha Linga’ or five Lingas comprising the ones at different Siva temples here are very famous and a grand festival ‘Jatra’ is held at once in a dozen years in honour of these five Lingas. During this festival the devotees have the ‘Darshan’ of all the 5 Lingas.

Jaganmohan Art Gallery
Beautiful portraits displaying eminent historic personalities and recounting the events in the history of Mysore are housed in the older of the two edifices. To the south, in an enclosure, in the ground floor, the nostalgic paraphernalia of the kings of the olden times can be seen. The marvelous carvings of ‘Dasavathara’ pr the ‘Ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu’ on single grains of rice leave the observers awestruck.

Also known as Chamarajendra Art Gallery it houses some exquisite articles made in 1861 for the special occasion of Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar’s wedding. The ageless paintings of the legand Raja Ravi Verma graciously fill up a huge hall. ‘Women with the Lamp’ a remarkable piece of S.L.Haldekar’ paintings is living marvel.

Mahadeswara Betta
This is a picturesque hill resort near the mighty Eastern Ghats, about 142 km and 220 km from Mysore and Bangalore respectively. This is the favourite spot of thousands of tourists who came here to get carried away in the natural beauty.

Lalitha Mahal Palace
This beautiful palace which was the residence of the royal family, situated on the highest point in the city and home offering a panoramic view of the magnificent city has been Converted into a posh hotel now.