|
Quick
View
|
|
Location
:
|
140
Kms from Bangalore, Karnataka
|
|
Prime
Attractions:
|
Mysore
Palace, Chamundi
Hill,Brindavan Gardens, Mysore
Zoo
|
|
Festivals
:
|
Mysore
Dassara,
|
|
Languages:
|
Kannada,
Hindi and English.
|
|
STD
Code:
|
0
|
|
Local
Transport
|
Cycle
Rickshaws, Tongas, City Bus Service.
|
|
Nearest
Rail-head
|
Mysore
|
|
Nearest
Airport
|
Bangalore
(140 Kms)
|
|
Road
Distances
|
Bangalore
(140 Kms)
|
|
Hotels/Resorts
|
Hotels
/ Resorts in Mysore
|
|
Located
770m above sea level and 140 Kms from Bangalore, Mysore, the
imperial city, was the erstwhile capital of the Wodeyars. Also
known as the city of Palaces, Mysore has never failed to mesmerise
the tourists with its quaint charm, rich heritage, magnificent
palaces, beautifully laid-out gardens, imposing buildings, broad
shady avenues and sacred temples.
Mysore
is the erstwhile capital of Wodeyars, the rulers of Mysore State.
The Wodeyar family ruled Mysore since 14th century except for a
short period of 40 years when Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan were the
rulers. Today Mysore is one of the major cities of Karnataka.
Mysore has emerged as a thriving market for exotic sandalwood
& incense, the Mysore silk sarees and stone-carved sculptures.
Mysore
is certainly a charming, old-fashioned and undaunting town
dominated by the spectacular Maharaja's Palace, around which the
boulevards of the city radiate. Nearby is the city centre with the
colourful and frenetic Devaraja Market is inviting a stroll.
On
the outskirts of Mysore, Srirangapatnam still harbours
architectural gems from the days of the great Indian hero, Tipu
Sultan, and the magnificent Hoysala temple of Somnathpur lies
little more than an hour's drive away.
Legend
In
the tenth century Mysore was known as "Mahishur", the
town where the buffalo-demon Mahishashur was slain by the goddess
Durga. The word Mysore expands to "Mahishasurana Ooru",
which means the town of Mahishasura. It is believed that during
one of the wars between devils and demons on the one hand and gods
and goddesses on the other, the demon Mahishasur (Mahishur)
overpowered the gods.
The
goddess on seeing this, incarnated as the fireceful Chamundi or
Chamundeshwari and consequently, Mahishasura was killed by Her
atop the Chamundi Hill near Mysore. Ever since, the Mysore royal
family has worshipped Chamundeshwari as the palace deity. Hills
dedicated to Her stand at the eastern end of Mysore town to this
day
Visiting
Places :
The
Mysore Palace :
Once the residence of the Wodeyars, this structure is one of the
largest of its kind in India. Built in 1912 in the Indo Saracenic
style, this place excludes a grandeur that is unmatched. The
Golden Royal Elephant Throne, the Durbar Hall, the Kalyana Mantap
and the Gallery are the main attractions here.
 The
Jaganmohan Palace :
This
is a converted art gallery which houses paintings that date back
to the late 19th century. Paintings of Raja Ravi Verma of
Travancore and the Russian Painter Svetoslav Roerich are on
display. Paintings in the traditional Mysore Golden leaf style can
also been seen here
Chamundi
Hill :
Perched atop a hill is a 12th century temple of Chamundershwari.
About 13 Kms from Mysore by road these is also a 1000 step walking
track for all those young at heart to try. The gigantic 4.8 meter
tall monolith of Nandi the sacred vehicle of Lord Shiva is a
marvel to watch. Also close to the temple stands a gigantic
statues of the demon Mahishasura.
 Brindavan
Gardens :
Built in 1924, this is India's first irrigation dam.
Sir.M.Vishweswariah, the engineer who designed and built this dam,
has shown his acumen in converting a dam site into a beautiful
garden with colourful fountains and ponds downstream. The dam is
named after the then Maharaja of Mysore, Krishnaraja Wodeyar, who
financed this novel project. KRS represents a marvel of civil
engineering achievement in pre-independence India and was among
the first in the world to use automatic sluice gates. Locally
available surkhi was used instad of importing cement from England
(a scarce commodity in those days).
With
his slogan of "Industrialize or Perish," Sir. M.V. as he
is better known, this visionary engineer built not only the KRS
dam but a whole chain of generating stations and industries to
modernise the then princely Mysore state at the beginning of this
century. Krishnaraja Sagar also has an engineering (hydraulics)
research station to study water flow, control, and design of dams.
Brindavan
gardens is located 12 Kms north-west of Mysore city and has
rows-of colourful fountains. There is a boating pond to cross the
dam from the south bank to the north bank and at the northern edge
are the dancing fountains. Using advanced lighting techniques, the
fountains are made to jump and dance to the tune of music. The dam
is over 3 Kms long and is constructed at the junction of three
rivers - Kaveri, Hemavati and Lakshmanathirtha. This site has been
popularised over the years by the large number of Indian/foreign
films shot at this location.
Hotel
Ritz- K.R. Sagar is located in a pivotal postion overlooking the
entire gardens. The northern bank also houses a well established
horicultural nursery providing good variety of fruit/flowering
plants. At 6.30 PM the garden lights up with fountains shining to
different coloured lights. The variety of flower beds glow in the
light adding to the charm. This spectacular sight makes Brindavan
gardens unique and it lasts till 8 PM every day (longer during
week-ends).
K.R.
Sagar dam is well connected to Mysore by road and rail (Arasikere
line) There are many tourist buses going directly to Bangalore.
This dam has not only served as a model to several dams in India,
but is also a testimony to prove the superiority of surkhi (a
mixture of brick powder and lime) over cement, in dam
construction. The best season to visit KRS is June-July when the
monsoon brings in plenty of water which gushes through the sluice
gates which open automatically after the maximum head of 124 Feet
is reached. The beauty of KRS can be enjoyed all year long except
during the summer months, when there might be little water in the
lake.
Surrounding
Places:
Srirangapatna :
14 Kms north east on the Bangalore Mysore highway, this island
fortress was once the capital of the warrior king Hyder Ali and
his son Tipu Sultan. There are beautiful monuments that are well
worth a visit.
Nanjangud :
is 23 Kms of Mysore. This is an important pilgrim center and is
famous for its Nanjundeshwara Temple ( from which the place
derives its name). Built in the Dravidian style, the temple is one
of its kind in Karnataka.
Bandipur :
Situated 80 Kms from Mysore, the Bandipur national Park is one of
the most beautiful wide life centers in the country. Rare species
of birds and animals can be seen in their natural habitats.
Bandipur has been chosen by the WWF for their project tiger scheme
to protect tigers.
Ranganathittu :
4 Kms
from Srirangapatna and 18 Kms from Mysore is a bird sanctuary that
houses exotic birds. Birds from as far away as Siberia and even
North America make their home here. Crocodiles basking in the sun
is also a familiar sight. The best season to visit is between
January and March.
|
