Mysore is a city that retains a lot of old-world charm. Mysore is the city of silk and sandalwood.

There are some areas in the city that seem to have been caught in a time warp as if time has stood still and life goes on at a leisurely and unhurried pace. However, things are changing and Mysore too is changing gears. But, one can still bask in the old world elegance even today.

Mysore

Mysore which is now officially known as Mysuru is a city situated in Karnataka a Southern State of India. It is about 145 Kilometers by road from the State capital of Bangalore. The city has a rich history and culture and is known for its magnificent palaces and the pomp and gaiety of the festivities that take place during the festival of Dasara.

The festivities are marked by royal splendour and colourful programs with the city brightly decorated for a grand procession. The Palace of Mysore is brightly illuminated and shines like a bright diamond at night, during the festivities.

If Bangalore is your base, you can drive to Mysore or hire a cab. You also have the option of hopping on to one of the frequent buses that ply between the cities or travel by train from Bangalore to Mysore. If you need a guided tour, you can go in for a one day trip to Mysore offered by KSTDC.

When in Mysore, the sights that you should not miss are listed below:

Mysore – Mysore Palace

Mysore is also known as the city of palaces as it has several palaces in its fold. The historical main Palace has been the seat of power and the residence of the Wodeyars -The Maharajahs of Mysore. This main palace lies close to the city centre.

The Palace is a three-storey structure of grey granite with marble domes and embellished with beautifully carved and placed arches and pillars. Construction of this palace is a blend of Hindu, Muslim, Rajput and Gothic styles of architecture and is a magnificent work both from the inside and the outside.

In the Palace, there are two gigantic halls where the King held court and is a fascinating collection of courtyards, buildings and gardens. The descendants of the royal family still live in a section of the palace which is off bounds for the public.

This palace has on display fascinating paintings, weapons, thrones etc. and gives a glimpse into the grand lifestyle of the Royalty of Mysore. It takes about a couple of hours to tour this palace. The Palace is open to the general public from 10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. on all days.

There is an entrance fee of INR 200 for foreign nationals and Photography inside the Palace is strictly prohibited. But photography is allowed in the Palace grounds. The main highlight of this palace is its illumination during the evenings.

The palace is illuminated on Sundays and Public holidays between 7 p.m. to 7.30  p.m.

Mysore – Mysore Zoo

Mysore zoo is one of the oldest Zoos in India. The original Mysore Zoo was created way back in 1892 on 10 acres of land by a German horticulturist named G.H. Krumbeigal. The official name of this Zoo is Sri Chamrajendra Zoological gardens and today it is spread over 157 acres of land.

This Zoo houses more than 164 species of animals including lions, tigers, elephants, giraffes, white Rhinoceros, peacocks, bears, different species of birds etc.. The Zoo is a fun place for children.

Entry for children below 5 years is free. There is an entrance ticket of INR 50 per adult on weekdays and INR 60 during weekends and public holidays. There is also a separate charge for cameras of  INR 20. The Zoo is open to the general public between 8.30 a.m.to 5.30 p.m.on all days except Wednesday.

Mysore – St. Philomena’s Church

This is one of the landmarks of Mysore. It is a Catholic Church. The Church was built in 1936 and the architecture of the Church has been inspired by the Cologne Cathedral in Germany.

The Patron saint of the Church Saint Philomena was a Latin Catholic saint who was martyred. She was a girl who was not more than 14 years and her remains were discovered in 1802 in Rome. Once you are inside the Church, you will realize that it is built in the shape of a Cross, with the long part of the Cross being the congregation hall.

This church is open from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. on all days of the week. There is no entrance fee for this Church.

Mysore – Chamundi Hills

Chamundi hill is located about 13 Kilometers from the city of Mysore. It has an average elevation of about 3,300 Feet. This hill has a temple dedicated to the Hindu Goddess called Chamundi after whom the Hills are named. One can take a bus up to the summit.

There are frequent buses plying from Mysore to this hill. If you love hiking then it is more exciting and interesting to walk up the hill through an ancient stone stairway that has about 1008 steps.

On the way to the hilltop, one comes across a giant statue of a Bull, which is 7.6 meters long and 4.9 meters tall. The Bull is called Nandi. It is said to be the vehicle used by the popular Hindu God Shiva.

In the vicinity of the temple, there is a huge statue of a demon with a sword in one hand and a snake in the other hand. Legend has it that this demon named Mahishasura symbolizing evil was vanquished by the Goddess Chamundi symbolizing good at this very spot.

While on the summit,  do not miss to treat your eyes to a panoramic view of Mysore city.

The Chamundi temple is open from 7.30 a.m. to 2 p.m., 3.30 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. to 9 p.m. There is no entry fee for this temple.

Mysore – Brindavan Gardens

Brindavan Gardens are located near a dam built across the river Kaveri. The Dam is known as the Krishna Raja Sagara dam. It is the primary source of water for the cities of Bangalore, Mysore and Mandya. It was built in 1924.

The laying out of Brindavan gardens was started in 1927 and was completed in the year 1932. This garden is spread over 60 acres of land. Close to 2 million people visit this garden every year.

The garden has been landscaped in the form of three terraces and is dotted with fountains, flowering plants, trees and foliage of different species. The main attraction of the park is the Musical Fountains which come to life every evening as the sunsets.

The fountains sway to the music in a kaleidoscopic display of colours. The musical fountains are operational between 6.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. on weekdays and 6.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. during weekends i.e. on Saturdays and Sundays.

The Brindavan gardens are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.on all days. There is an entrance fee of INR 15 for adults and INR 5 for children between 5 to 10 years of age.

While in Mysore, do not miss to check out the following:

Mysore silk – especially Mysore silk sarees. Watch these short videos to get an idea of what Mysore sarees look like:

Video credits: mythri kumar and unnati silks

Sandalwood and sandalwood items

Mysore is also famous for its sweets like Mysore pak. Click here to find out about the 10 best restaurants in Mysore. And click here for a list of best hotels to stay in Mysore.

Infosys, one of the renowned IT companies, has built the world’s biggest corporate training facility (Video credit – tejastej100 ) in Mysore.

Today, Mysore is a city where heritage and technology blend harmoniously. If you are visiting the southern part of India, do make sure you pop into Mysore, a place where the different planes of time overlap, a place where Royalty beckons.

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